I was wondering if headers are worth the extra money for a street car? I was thinking of using 350TPI exhuast manifolds with a 3" exhuast.

 

2 words. Hell Yes!

 

Umm, YES! The design of the stock manifolds alone should scare you into getting headers.

 

Ok, what would be the best header? Brand? Short or long?

 

headers are worth it, if u can get them in

i have slp 1 3/4's that are taking 3 days to put in...

 

Um the best headers would be a SLP 1 3/4 shorties coated. There gunna be like $650, but they are the best. Now if you need AIR system for your car, then you need to get the headers with the AIR. they come with a y pipe. You need to get there instalation kit, so that brings up the price. There are others from hooker, headman, and edlebrock that will do just the same, but they have 1 5/8ths primaries.

 

Hooker 2055's are also very good headers. I got mine coated, with the y-pipe, for $520 shipped.

 

I have hooker 1 3/4 in. long-tubes (coated 2210's). These will make the most power.

 

I don't think 1 3/4" primaries are necessary unless you are making more than 350 HP. I plan on getting Hooker 2055s straight from Jet Hot. -89IRO

 

Why buy headers twice? Unless you plan on staying under 350hp forever, 1 3/4 long tubes will help out any internal combustion V8. But, dont take my word for it, buy what you feel comfortable buying.

 

1bad, is that a breather replacing your oil filler cap?

 

Why buy headers twice? Unless you plan on staying under 350hp forever, 1 3/4 long tubes will help out any internal combustion V8. But, dont take my word for it, buy what you feel comfortable buying.

Exactyly, I don't plan on gettin over 350 so I'll stick with the 1 5/8" primaries. I'll be lucky if I hit 300! LOL. -89IRO

 

yep (k&n - oil cap breather)

 

thanks. I got a new set of valve covers, and they all have circles cut, and none for the oil filler cap and pvc. so i gotta get some grommets workin here.

 

Headers make a big difference. Seat of the pants as wells as time slips. Helps mpg as well.

later, justin...

 

ok thanks.

 

exactly get the hedman long tubes coated for the price of the hooker lt's uncoated. or go budget all the way and save some cash for other things that your car should have like subframe connectors and lca's.

Also since your in OK don't worry about AIR unless you want a "unmolested car"-enter easier resale. IMO taking the air off should hurt resale if its done right and you use quality stuff that doesn't rust out or loosen up or leak all the time.

 

Headers are a nice investment. But I would start out with a catback and a new cat if you have lots of miles.

 

Would it be an improvement to use the stock 350TPI manifolds with a 3" exhuast since it doesn't look like I'll have the cash for headers? Maybe wait on headers until I do my motor swap?

 

My next thing is definately going to be spohn SFCs. Everyone here says nothing but good stuf about them. Then after those, I'll step up to the 2055s. Does anyone know how much an exhaust shop might charge to install these headers? I don't feel like being under my car with it jacked up high for too long. It would be better to have a car lift.

 

well, to answer Ghigman, no. Im 99.9% sure that the 305 and the 350 IN THE CAMARO share the same exhaust manifolds. But off a vette, that would be an improvement.

For 89IRO, look to spend about 300-500 for installation... kinda makes ya think about lettin some shop do it. that 300-500 could be spent on thoes sfc's or upgrading the rest on your exhaust, suspension, or engine. Just a thought.

 

if u do want to make more then 350hp someday id say do the header swap once enless u like doing it alot.

 

For 89IRO, look to spend about 300-500 for installation... kinda makes ya think about lettin some shop do it. that 300-500 could be spent on thoes sfc's or upgrading the rest on your exhaust, suspension, or engine. Just a thought.

Oh ****, I didn't think it would cost that much. They are going to be $550 as it is. I forgot to say I'm in So Cal if that makes a difference. The rest of my exhaust is already done, but I get your point. The problem is, I've only got one jack, and I think it's gonna be kinda dangerous having the car in the air on jack stands that long. It would just be a lot easier and safer to do it on a car lift. I'm gonna call my muffler man right now to see how much he wants. -89IRO

 

putting your car on jack stands is very safe, its leaving it up on a jack that will kill ya. Get some loyal friends and get crackin man! good luck!

 

try it out yourself first man. its really not that bad as long as you got the tools to do the job and some knowledge. i've done headers, motor mounts, intake gasket, springs, front main seal, and some other stuff, all at home. everything was a first for me except the intake gasket. i wasn't gonna bring the car anywhere without me trying first.

 

Did you need to lift the engine up? And don't you need to weld some things to install headers and a y-pipe?

 

OK, where exactly do I put the jack stands? Car is an '89 IROC-Z 350 TPI. As to how high it needs to go, I'm sure I'll be able to figure that out. The thing with the jack stands is that I am picturing myself cranking away on the old rusty manifold bolts and wiggling the car around too much, that's what I meant about it being unsafe. Then can anyone tell me the other stuff that I can know before hand? Tips? I have no idea what to do with all the smog crap, and I heard of the starter and steering shaft getting in the way. -89IRO

 

yeah, what TransAm said too.--??

 

yes i had to disconnect the driver's side motor mount and lift it up so the header could clear the steering shaft. no big deal. after i was done i went to Midas and had 'em make me 2 pipes to weld to the 2 extension pipes that came with the headers. i ditched the stock pipes but kept the cats.

 

No big deal?? Yeah right! Maybe if you have the tools/knowledge. I was looking under her tonight and man, it looks like an intimidating job. I think I will just be waiting another 100,000 miles until my engine blows, then I could just put in headers with my new engine! lol. It would be nice to have a shop put them in, but there's no way I am even going to spend $300 for some ******* to put them in for me. I mean, I've got like every tool out there, plus tons of air tools, a jack, jack stands, but I don't have anything to lift the engine with, plus stuff this involved is beyond me. Hopefully you guys can make it sound easier just so I feel better. Please don't think I am an idiot and please don't say "dude, just stop asking so many questions and just get your hands dirty already", because I need to learn as much as I can. I'm sure you all would agree with me if I say that it is probably easier than it looks once you get the project started. Thanks.. -89IRO

 

but there is nothing like the feeling of satisfaction when you start up that bad boy knowing you did the work yourself. :rockon:

 

I hear ya. (oops)

 

I hear ya. What kind of sound difference could I expect? How much HP could I expect? Right now I've got a 3" carsound cat. with a Spintech muffler. It sounds good right now, but with headers, would it be noticeably louder? Cause that's what I want. O.K., back to the tech now. -89IRO

 

i dont have any numbers on my car yet. all i know is that the sound definitely got louder and i definitely felt a SOTP difference.
my headers aren't coated yet, so i'll be taking 'em off and putting 'em back on again after they come back from gettin coated. having removed all the smog and A/C crap outta the way helped lots!

i'll prolly be taking my ride to the track for the first time this friday night. and sometime next month the first dyno test. should be interesting.