Hey all. I've got an 84 Trans Am with a little carbureted 305. I want to get a set of headers...I've been looking at the Hooker 2055's but here is my dilemma. Later this fall or maybe early spring (depends on cash flow) I'll be putting in a 383. If I buy the headers with a 2.5" collector, they'll fit my stock exhaust but will the stock 2.5" single exauhst be enough for a 383? Or, should I buy a 3" set of headers and get a reducer until I can afford the rest of it? How much performance would I honestly lose and more importantly, would it hurt the motor at all if I stuck with the 2.5" set up? Any info at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

With a 383 I'd definitely use 3", especiallly for the Y Pipe.

I've got 2.5" headers on a ZZ4 350 and they are choking it. If I had an extra $600 the first thing I'd do is put in a set of 3" headers and y pipe.

 

So for the time being...since I don't have the motor finished yet, I should buy the headers with 3" single out at the y-pipe, and just stick a reducer on it until I get the new motor and new...I guess I'd call it a cat-bac...system in?

You know, I started this motor plan, but then it morphed to needing exhaust, needing suspension, needing this, needing that. Ugh! lol

 

Iwould run 3" headers with 2.5" reducer until you have some chedder to do the rest,but i agree with other guys you should run 3"all the way. i dont run a y pipe on my 383" i run a dual inlet&outlet high performance cat.( custom exhaust) that is just me p.s im new to this site how to you put your vech.transmission.motor and other info

 

the 2.5" collectors will work if you run dual 2.5" pipes. No V8 should have less than a 3" single pipe, imo.

 

Well that settles the argument then. It's headers with a 3" collector after the Y-pipe to a reducer and my 2.5" stock exhaust. Now...to get it ceramic coated or not! lol

 

if you've got the money for it

But I would invest in other more necessary things like
headers, trans, carb, tires, etc