I may wan't to buy a set of headers. My car is a completely stock 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA, 305 TPI, 4 speeds automatic transmission, 9-bolts 3.27 rear, 116 000 original miles...

I'm looking at some web sites but I don't know what to chose. Shorty or full? What's the difference and things to know for the two?

Primary tube diameter size I should get? Collector size I should get?

I tought about 1" 5/8 with 3" collector... But their's bigger and smaller... So I need advices from experienced people here.

What about the rest of the exhaust? 2" 1/2, 2" 3/4, 3"...?

Thanks

 

if you dont have a welder and are on a budget and want something you can put in yourself easily and quickly then read this thread:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=333490

it is what i am goin to do with both of my 82's since i have no exhaust at all for either not even manifolds,

im going to get the pipes and mufflers at local shop to save on shipping and whatever

and buy used headers,

im that tight lol

i can put true duals on each car for a hair over 100 if i play around right,

no big hurrry either, got all winter,,




good luck

 

long tube hedman into single exaust.... i love the sound of it and would do it all over again... i used stock exaust manifold gaskets new.... i got them for 160 out the door.... long tubes offer a little bit more power than the shortys....

 

Long tube headers will give more power and sound better than shortys. But with long tubes you will have to worry about ground clearance. For size a 1" 5/8 primary is good with a 3" collector if you plan on replacing the rest of your exhaust as well.

 

You've got me confused there. He did a whole heap of welding on that system.

If you want no-weld, go with shorty headers w/y-pipe (such as Hooker 2055), a direct-fit cat, and cat-back of your choice. If you pick the parts for your application ('86-'90 TPI single cat), you'll get 1-5/8" primaries, 2-1/2" downpipes, 3" from y-pipe on-back.

 

I'll find a welder if it's a better system like this. So if I can afford it, full lenght headers are better?

So 3" from the headers to the rear would be good for a 305 TPI completely stock?

 

Yep, long tubes are better.

 

I am going to agree with Five7 on this one. If you want simple than you want a tailored shorty kit such as the (2055's). That way they will come will all the parts you need and bolt righ up. You will need to fab a y-pipe with long tubes and you may have ground clearance issues. To me that isn't worth the small peak power gains you will see on a 305 with long tubes. You may end up spending more in the long run as well. Take some time and do a few searches on lung tubes and Hooker 2055's.

 

The chances of long tubes being better than 2055's on a completely stock 305 TPI are slim to none.

 

So for saving me some headaches, I should buy some shorty one yes?

And can the O2 sensor plug in these thing?

On Summit their's shorty headers from Hedman HED-68470 for 135.88$ with 1" 5/8 to 3" collector. Do you think it's a good deal and works as good as to say Edlebrock?

 

ground clearence yea sure... look at this.... it's not mine but damn close.....
http://exit3.i-55.com/~davidlt/exhaust.htm
i have better gound clearence now than with stock exaust.... and shorty's are a pain in the *** to do.... long tubes make it easy to change collector gaskets... but my hedmans come with these nice colector gaskets that are strong.... i paid about 160 for my headers and about 150 for y pipe and exaust.... i already had my flowmaster muffler.... i plan on getting an exaust cut out to really open it up at the track....