Well, I'm an exhaust newbie. Most of the work I've done on my car has been in suspension and enhancing its around-the-corner performance.

But I figure it's time to add horsepower.

So logically the first step I'm considering is a full exhaust...headers, high flow cat, exhaust, all the way down to the tips. (I want two big shiny chrome ones. ). Everything out of there. I have a few basic questions and all help is greatly appreciated

1) Will I need to do welding to replace my exhaust, or is there some type of clamping or bolting that I can do? I have absolutely no experience welding nor do I own a welder...
2) I am considering at some point upgrading to Vortec heads, if I buy headers now, will they still work with the new heads?
3) What kind of horsepower/torque gains can I expect (ballpark estimate)? I can afford to go with a good exhaust/headers but not $1000 or anything. Right now as you can see in my sig, I have a stock L03 (well, it has an open element air filter).

Thanks...also if anyone has any sound clips of various exhausts, I'd love to hear them.

 

Most aftermarket exhaust systems do not require welding or anything like that. They are all supplied with clamps to hold everything together. Your catalytic converter may be a problem though. I had to have mine made custom to fit the headers that I was using. It turned the angles all backwards so some custom welding had to be done. Most muffler shops can do this at a reasonable cost. Installing exhausts is harder than it seems so check pricing with local shops for an emergency back up in case you get in over your head. Shouldnt be much of a problem. I had to lift my engine out to my headers on however and laying on the ground to do the cat back exhaust sux. If you have a lift life will be good!

 

OK, good to hear that I probably won't have to weld.

What headers did you have that required a custom cat, and will most headers require one?

 

Just buy a universal 3" cat and have a shop weld it up. You're going to need a new cat regardless. I'll hurt you if you try to reuse your 14 year old 2.25" converter.

 

btw, Hooker 2055s and a 3" catback.

 

IM not sure if most will require a custom cat. I went with the Slp y pipe style single cat headers. I couldnt be more happy with the fit performance and quality of these headers. Wicked! I have had no leaks with them ever and the sound is awesome. The reason I needed to weld mine was because I didnt buy the special adapter that the slp cats required. I had a friend who owed me a favor. So he welded one up for me. You could probably buy the adapter and not need to weld the cat either with the slp system. i went with the edelbrock cat back and wasnt too happy with it. It was ok but id try something more expensive next time.

 

No, I certainly wasn't even going to attempt that I am talking about a FULL exhaust replacement...headers to tips. I just wanted to make sure that I could grab one off the shelf and not have to custom-make one.

OK, so I have to have the cat welded either way? I thought it clamped on. I'm obviously not welding anything, so how much does it cost to have the cat welded? (It would weld to the Y-pipe right? Sorry, still getting a feel for how the exhaust is set up)

Anyways, thanks guys. Still browsing around a bit... am I going to need a Y-pipe or is that included with the headers? I have been looking at Hooker Super Comp headers but I'm also open to suggestions. If I need a separate Y pipe, are they all pretty much the same?

I don't need the absolute best but I want something that is not going to restrict the Vortec/LT4 305 I'll probably have late this year.
I also do NOT want a Flowmaster. I've heard a few...sometimes they sound awesome, but sometimes they sound...eww.

 

I got edelbrook headers and hooker cat back for my 88 305 tpi.

Sounds nice.

I would recomend welding. you could always put the cat back yourself as i did, then head down to someone who can weld and pay like 15-20 to weld it all together.