I am planning on possibly hooking up to a Flowmaster cat-back system, and am looking for suggestions/guidance on what headers to get. Everyone seems to like the Hooker 2055's but they look like they are for the 86-90 305's....

 

Get a cat and cat-back for '86-'90 TPI single cat application while you're at it. It all will fit the 2055's and the engine/chassis. Some modification of the cat hanger off of the tranny tailshaft housing might be required.

 

I suppose i should specify a few more things in my post, car has a 4bbl in it, and an auto tranny. i see you said the 2055's, but again my worry was that they list them for the 86-90 engines....will they fit in my car if i buy them?

Local exhaust shop here says they buy JBA shorty headers because they tend to hold up well and dont have any issues with the flange and the collector causing leakage. Sort of threw me off since i have been looking at posts on stuff people have done on here all day and didnt see anything like that.

Also, what problems might i run into if i decide to change the tranny to a 5-speed manual with the headers/cat/catback setup?

 

I understood what you had. The recommendation is unchanged.

You will be eliminating the EFE valve attached to the passenger side manifold outlet in the process. Just means you plug a vacuum line.

The 2055's won't affect a T5.

I can't say I've heard of 3rd gen JBA headers. I know they're big into 'Stangs. I've had the 2055's on my car since late 2001, daily year-round driving, no sealing or endurance issues. As of this summer, they are ceramic coated, something I'd highly recommend if you want them to last as long as possible and provide maximum benefit.

 

57 - How hard would this be to do myself if i bought the kit for the catback? it sounds like the exhaust place i contacted just uses bolts instead of welding the stuff on. if i buy a kit designed for my car and have all the equipment to do it the way i read your earlier post is that i might have to do some creative thinking on the hanger for the cat off the tranny right?

 

I bolted mine together. Welding isn't required. Some way to cut out the old stuff is helpful, though.

The original cat should have a hanger bolted to the outlet. Since you will be changing the outlet type, the hanger type will also need to change. If you can find a hanger for the '86-'90 TPI single cat application (I have no idea if it is available from the dealer), that would solve the problem. Installing it would require dropping the back of the tranny down (remove distributor cap, tranny crossmember, etc.).

Personally, I welded the original mount to the clamp that went in place of the original bolted flange (oops, I guess I did do some welding afterall). But then, I didn't do things the smart way, used a universal cat instead of a direct-fit cat, modified the cat-back inlet to accept a slip-fit pipe, and I've been paying the price ever since.

If you did the full bolt-together system, you could still put a 3" clamp around the pipe and weld the support to the clamp.

I don't have a good picture of that feature on mine, but if you look close in this pic, you can see the two 3" clamps on the pipe that is now in place of the cat. The rear one is the one that's been welded on (can't see the support in the picture, unfortunately).

 

Here's another pic - still doesn't show the welded clamp, I'm afraid.

 

Ok so

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...67&prmenbr=361

The 520-2055 part number looks like it comes with both headers and a pipe to hook up between them (y-pipe?). Do i need an install kit for gaskets and bolts?

Then if i understand it right im going to hook up at cat like these ones.....say the 3" one

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...91&prmenbr=361

and run a single pipe back to the catback sytem of my choice...

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...29&prmenbr=361

Like the Hooker 520-16822

I have a shop and a guy that will do some welding for me if i need it for the cat hanger.

 

Also, what are the pros/cons to doing a true dual system instead of this, other than the pain in the butt work to get two pipes all the way to the back of the car....

 

I believe you'll want the 520-16823 kit if you're using a 3" cat. The 16822 kit necks down to work with a 2.5" cat.

 

Ok yeah, that makes sense, how about the other questions? Do the hooker headers come with an install kit and collector?

 

Based on Summit's site, they come with gaskets and bolts. Summit part number is HOK-2055HKR

 

Unlike one particular brand, you don't need to buy extra stuff to install the 2055's.

I wasn't impressed by their gaskets, went with Felpro instead.

Well, that was the 1st time, the last time I used Mr Gasket Ultraseals.