1. whats the difference between hooker 2055's and hooker 2460's? if i wanted hooker 2460's i would also need a Ypipe. the one listed on summit.com has 3" inlet and 2-1/2" outlet where the cat bolts up (hooker Y pipe made for this hooker header). since im throwing all that factory crap in the junk bin, i will also need a cat and cat back system. last checked 3" wont hook up to a 2-1/2 ypipe with adapters and adapters dont look professional and tend to leak. the 2460 headers i was looking at did not include a ypipe, they were ceramic coated @ 350 bucks. the 2055's i was looking at didnt include a ypipe either(the ones i was looking at where ceramic coated, did not include a Ypipe @ 775, ouch). the ones usually metioned on this site at painted 2055's inlude a ypipe, at 400 bucks which seems very resonable. however my stepfather, also a third gen owner (1984 z28 L69-going to a 305 TPI w/6 speed borg warner) told me that painted headers will not last and i you want them to last, he says a ceramic coating is important. i want these headers to last 5-10 years. is a ceramic coating really that important? will painted headers last? i dont drive my car in the winter, so salt isnt an issue, but i do drive in the rain. so how do ceramic 2460's compare to 2055 painted? if i did want ceramic coated 2055's or 2460's what Y-pipe to use if i want 3" inlet and 3" outlet. im working hard to save up the cash, right now i have $420, i have december-april to save, i want to do it once and do it right. i am willing to spend the money, as much as i can save up.

 

I believe the difference in those two headers is one has air/egr provisions, the other does not.

 

Here's the system I'm using (direct fit--no fabbing, welding, etc): Hooker 2055's with Y (Jeg's 520-2055), Catco high-flow converter (Summit CTO-9118), and Hooker catback (Summit HOK-16823HKR). From the collectors back, this system is three-inch mandrel bent. The header's factory paint is still on after a year, but it will eventually go (already started, especially on the Y pipe). Ceramic coating will certainly add to the life of the headers/Y and will keep under-hood temps down, both good things. Probably the way to go, though I don't have reservations about my system's lasting a good long time.

JamesC

 

I've never had a set of ceramic coated headers so I can't speak to that..but I have had a few different types and here is what my experieces have tought me.

#1. Painted headers will last 5 years. If they have a GOOD paint job they might last 10.

#2. Most steel headers will eventually crack.

#3. Fiberglass wrap on steel headers (to hold in the heat) can cause them to crack faster.

#4. Stainless headers (SLP) will last MUCH longer and will not need the occasional gasket replacement that steel headers need.

#5. Non-Ceramic coated Stainless headers may not be as pretty, but thay will last just as long.

HTH.

 

so i am best off with painted hooker 2055's that include the Ypipe for 400 bucks? 5-10 years, that what i hope to get anyways. ceramic coated headers would be a waste of money if they are going to crack anyways