im going with an edelbrock 3" performer exhuast cat back summit part # EDL-5672. eldelbrock headers 2-1/2" collectors ceramic coated W/ proper fittings for AIR reactor tubes it comes with a Y pipe has a 3" outlet where the cat connects, summit part #EDL-68722. the cat i was going to go with was a dynamax 3" summit part # WLK-15043. that is the combo that the summit tech recommended for my car. i thought it sounded like a good bang for the buck deal, however that cat is not currently in stock. i would like the substitue a catco 3" cat summit part # CTO-9118. will this work as a substitute? ceramic coating is a must for me. it will help keep my underhood temps down and will last a very long time. im not buying a set of painted headers and have to replace them in 2 years. i think 450 for ceramic coated headers is a good deal. i want to have this system set up to last, so when i eventually get a 350 it will breath properly.

so the bottom line summit part numbers:
edl-5672 eldelbrock catback $289
edl-68722 edelbrock headers w/ Y pipe $459
cto-9118 3" cat $134
total costs: 882+handling
will this combo fit together properly, sound decent, and give my car some additional power? i dont have to have the most expensive exuast, but i want a good value for my money and something i can be happy with down the road

P.S. how bad is it to install headers, i have never done it. provided all of the bolts for my manifolds come loose fairly easily.

 

Only the headers are coated, not the y-pipe. I'm no particular fan of TES, as their y-pipe is pretty restrictive. But, for an otherwise stock LO3, they'll be okay. Getting the y-pipe coated will probably cost you a couple hundred dollars, but if you want it to last, that's what you really need to do. I also don't know if Edelbrock coats the headers inside and out - for $50, I kind of doubt it (but they might).

Getting the headers in sometimes (often) requires jacking the engine up off the front mounts. But, getting the old exhaust off is usually more trouble than getting the new on, especially when you get bolt-together pieces like you're doing.

 

you say edlebrock's Y pipe is restrictive? its probably still much better than any stock exaust manifold. its also the least expensive of the good name-brand coated headers. i would like a 700 dollar pair of coated headman headers or a hooker system. i cant justify or afford 7-800 just for pair of headers. my whole system is going to run in the 800-900 range. and i think its a huge improvement over the stock crap, which is shot anyways. its not rusted but has a crack near the cat and the muffler is junk.