Post your choice.

 

Depends on how much header you need for your specific application. One set may be better than another depending on your engines needs.

 

Well, right now I still have the LO3 slug, but I will be swapping in a crate 350 at some point, so I want to gear my mods towards that. I am guessing that I will be a little bit above 300HP with the mods I am planning, so I would need some decent flowing headers. Three questions:

1. Should I buy a set that comes with the Y pipe as a kit or buy that separately?

2. How far do most Y pipes go? Only to the cat? To where a cat-back will bolt up (thus eliminating the cat or allowing you to cut it and put an aftermarket cat in place)?

3. Do Vortec heads make a difference when considering headers?

Thanks for the info guys. I'm kind of a n00b on the aftermarket parts for these cars, so go easy on me.

 

For your plans a regular set of 1 5/8" primaries will suffice. Get a kit that comes with a y-pipe and is tailored for TPI cars. That way it will come a full 3". SLP, Hooker, Mac and certian headmans are your best candidates and supply what I stated above. Material, and emissions hook ups are what separate them. You can use the same headers with vortec heads.

Y-pipe go to the front of the cat. After the cat you have a, get this , a cat-back. Buying a full 3" TPI exhaust now will be great with your LO3 as well as your future motor. Take some time to search about the different brands along with reading the stickies at the top of the exhaust forum.

 

Shifty,

I know a good bit about Thirdgens and cars in general, and I know what cat-back exhaust is. Just because I don't have many posts on here doesn't mean that I'm an idiot. I just don't have much knowledge about the aftermarket parts for Thirdgens and that is why I am asking these questions.

What I was asking about was the transition from an aftermarket Y-pipe to a cat-back setup. Do I still need the stock section of exhaust where the catylitic converter is or does the Y-pipe go all the way to where the cat-back would bolt up? This is what I am getting at: How will an aftermarket high-flow cat line up, does the cat have to be a certain length so that it will fit in the space left between the Y-pipe and the cat-back?

Some questions about what you posted, Shifty:

Why get something tailored for a TPI? Is that because they flow better, or is it because of what I have planned? What is the difference between exhaust for a TPI and a TBI motor?

Of the few brands that you list above, which would be considered to have the best fit/finish with a Y-pipe kit and performance?

Thanks for the advice.

 

Oops. I assure you that was not my attempt. Sorry you took it that way. It was my way of playing fun of words and nothing against you. I know, I suck at comedy.

Anywhoo, we suggest TPI because that way it will come with a 3" y-pipe. If you were to get a TBI specific header set-up it would come with the stock size piping (2.25") to mate to the stock cat. All y-pipe will meet right at the cat and nothing from the stock exhaust is used. Your new 3" cat will attach right onto the end of the y-pipe. Depending on what cat you get you may have to do some fab work. By that I mean welding and or cutting if you get a slip fit universal cat over a direct replacement fit. The SLP, Mac's and Hooker 2055's make the best sets. The SLP's are stainless and are pricy. The others can be bought ceramic coated (recommened) and have provisions for A.I.R retention. The SLP's can be had without the AIR tubes if you delete it.

 

i have the 2055 hooker headers with a 3inch cat back!!! and WOW!!!! thanks to shifty my LO3 is SWEET!!!! so much faster with 3inch back. LOVE MY HOOKERS!!!!:lala:

 

If you want the best fitting headers and don't need AIR, then you probably can't beat the Flowtechs. They are far from the best flowing, however.

 

Shifty,

Sorry that I took offense, that one went over my head. I appreciate your advice and the expertise in your detailed information. It sounds like the Hookers are the way to go then and thanks for the info about the 3" exhaust. I wouldn't want my new 350 to be breathing, or should I say choking, through that 2 1/4" exhaust. Is the ceramic coating really worth it?

Ramair21,

Do you have an aftermarket cat? Did you have to do any fab work? What kind of cat-back do you have? Did you have to jack up the motor to install the headers? Did you have to do anything else special to make them fit?

Has anyone tried the Edelbrock cat-back setup for our cars? I like the factory-looking dual exits that the muffler has.

 

I have the Edelbrock cat-back, been on the car for a couple years now. Installation was pretty straightforward, but then, I had a pipe bender to help me along. Some of the joints did not fit as well as I think they should, and I had to install an extra hanger, as the drivers side mount for the pipe out of the muffler was not quite right. Took me about 2 hours to install, on a rack. Not something I would want to attempt in the driveway.......

I LOVE the way it sounds. Agressive, but not obnoxious. I did not turn my radio on for over a year after installation, because I love the sound so much. (still don't turn it on very often...... still think it sounds way cool......) There is some interior resonance at freeway speeds, but, well within acceptable levels. My girlfriend thinks it sounds good too.......

 

when i did the install i had to get the new y-pipe and eyeball where it might go so i can cut the old y-pipe and cat out. i did raise the engine but i didnt not take the engine mount off. it was a fustration and you will need a second hand. when i went to the muffler shop they had to give me a bigger cat cause my old one was to small for the new system. im not sure what he gave me but it works!!! If you need anyhelp you should AIM me or ask shifty cause he helped me out big time. Thanks again shifty

 

Thanks for the info. I definitely will be needing your help when I go for the install. I have put on exhaust from the headers back before, but I have never done the headers on any car.

Has anyone done a list of procedures for the Hooker 2055 install? I will try to do a search on it and see what I can find.