I have a 1990 GTA, 305 5sp, with a dual cat stock exhaust. There is a break in the exhaust after the cat's Y pipe where it goes to a single catback exhaust.

I'm trying to decide what to do, and from reading these post, I have come to three possible choices.

1. Replace entire exhaust with hooker 2055 headers. This will make a single cat system from my current duals, but from what I've read, if I go with a 3" high flow cat, I won't loose performance.

2. Replace the entire exhaust, but use hedman's dual cat system. From what I've read Hedman seems to leave a bad taste in people's mouths. Could be more exspensive because of the dual cats, but it will still be a dual cat car.

3. Since my issues are after the dual cats, keep the stock exhaust from the cat's forward, and just get a cat-back system. Since I'm running a stock 305, with no plans on making any significant performance changes, do I really need headers?

Thanks,

Don

 

The issue with Hedman hedders is their single cat y-pipe. I haven't heard any complaints about their dual cat hedder system.

In general, headers help even unmodified engines work better.

So, consider Door #4: Hedman dual cat type hedders, dual cat type cat-back.

 

five7kid,

I've heard a lot of good things about hooker's cat back system. Would they be the choice for a dual cat system as well? Borela is too much.

I read somewhere were a guy had a load of problems with the fit of hedman dual cat headers.

Is there anyone here that has installed these and were they a problem?

If I get headers, I'd really like to get the hedmans and have them coated which is big buck$, so I don't want to spend a ton only to find out they don't fit.

Thanks again,

Don

 

I don't see the difference between dual 2.25/2.5 inch cats and a single 3 inch cat. Why pay twice for cats? You can get a universal 3" catco from ebay for $45, why buy 2? I used to have the dual cat set-up, it is in the trash now.

 

I assumed the problem was primarily behind the cats, and therefore they wouldn't be replaced (at least right now).

I haven't heard the Hedman dual cat hedder problem story (or don't recall it), but somebody has complained about fitment problems with every brand available, it seems. Most of the complaints are what I would classify as "expected" as part of the modification process using aftermarket parts, assuming some compromise is made somewhere because you can't expect anybody to anticipate every little detail the factory may have changed over the years and over various applications.

But, that's just me, I suppose.

 

I guess I'm a little gun shy.

I've searched and found good and bad stories.

If I'm going to pay $500 for coated headers and Y pipes (they aren't really a Y pipe on dual cats, are they?), I'm expecting something really good.

Here is what I've found out about hedmans:

- the bad
bad customer service
oval ports instead of D ports
bad fitment - holes in wrong location

-the good
easy to install
easy to get at spark plugs
lower price

Seems like we have conflicting views. And I'm still not 100% convinced that spending $500 on headers with a stock TPI 305 is going to make a big difference. If I had a 350, it would be another story. How much horsepower and torque gain are we talking - and are there better ways to spend $500 on a stock car?

Thanks,

Don (puzzled)

 

definatley stay away from the headman dual cat headers! I had nothing but problems with them! TES fit great! However, SLP's are the only way to go! By far the best!

Back to school for me!

 

$500 on coated headers is a good investment. They will help a stock engine, and support future improvements probably while it remains on the street.

Spend the money where your comfort level is. I've only had one set of Hedders, and they're on my '57 w/396 (and they weren't made for the '57 chassis). I spent a bunch of time last spring welding around the primaries and port matching the flanges - the mismatch previous to that effort was near criminal. The improvement from doing that - minor.

Whether you go with single cat or stay with the duals goes back to the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph. If I had dual cats, I'd tend to want to keep them. Since I have a single cat, I'm inclined to keep it that way.

 

Im not trying to steal a post, but Im in the same boat as well with my 91 Z28. I just bought the new Catco dual setup last summer so I hate to get rid of it....but I cant find and dual cat headers that havent had major problems with fitment, etc. Im thinking of going with the Edelbrock TES system. ANYthing has to be better than the hunk of iron called a manifold thats on it now......All the TES owners feel free to chime in and lemme know what to expect.....Id almost go with the Hooker 2055's if I didnt HAVE to stay dual cat for emissions

 

I have tes headers, they are ok, however I WISH i would have purchased the slp headers...by far the best! And the slp's fit is close but doable...if that is a word?

 

On the contrary, KYL98, I was hoping you would chime in

I've read a lot of your post from last year and it seems like you liked the hedmans. Is that what you are still running?

BTW do you have an auto shop in NKY? I'm in Alexandria, KY.

 

Yea, I had tes headers and they are an easy fit! Never used the headman's so I can't verify one way or the other. I did upgrade my headers to the SLP headers and Wow!!! I love them! A bit spendy, but with the addition of my procharger giving 9psi, WOW! Definatley go with SLP's, spend a little extra and have them coated, money well spent!