I have a 1986 305 LG4. I'm replacing all the exhaust, trying to decide what to get. I'm not a mechanic, so my garage is doing all this work, not me.

This car is only a daily driver, and I have to deal with emissions.

Edelbrock TES seems like an easy direct factory replacement for the LG4. It looks like it is the only exhaust system that has the stove pipe and what I think is the EFE piece. I read on here that Edelbrock sucks though, for reasons that I don't fully understand.

Hooker is supposed to be better, but it looks like there are no openings for the heat stove or EFE, so I dunno if it would be emissions legal with my LG4.

SLP sounds like it often has install issues, so that's out.

So if I get the ceramic coated Edelbrock, is that ok? Or am I a jackass for not getting the Hooker?

Thanks,
John

 

hooker
heddman
are the way to go!

 

up to you, i put edelbrocks on my 86 305TPI and they seem fine, but i have headman long tubes and true dual 3" with 3" xpipe on my 87 formula 350 and my formula would ***** on that 86. as far as im concered all shorty setups are a waist. long tubes are the best even for a 305. get wat complies with what you want, emissions etc and price, i dont see that much of a big deal with the edelbrocks on a 305. all shortie setups have 2.5" collectors and 2.5" pipes that run a into a Y that is a single 3". SLP's are crazy $$$$

 

I would go with the hooker option if you can afford it. Easy to install and good quality. And don't worry about that heat stove. Pretty sure it doesn't do anything for emissions. Provisions for EFE can be added.


Oh, and just curiously what are these reasons that you don't fully understand for why the edelbrocks suck?

 

For a stock LG4, the Edelbrocks are fine, but get the L69 versions. They have a much better y-pipe than the LG4/TBI versions.

The reasons why I think Edelbrock makes bad thirdgen headers are listed in the sticky about "whats the best exhaust? whats the best headers?" at the top of this forum.

 

Cool thanks.

I hate the look of the stock air cleaner on my car. If I get rid of the heat stove, can I switch to an open element?

I have to believe I'd better air flow from that than from the single snorkel stock intake.

 

You'll flow better, but you'll create other problems with driveability.

The heat stove helps with partially-warmed off-idle. Without it, you'll have a nice dead spot.

The snorkel helps in hot weather to keep the engine from ingesting hot under-hood air. You can get some nasty stumble in stop & go traffic with an open element.

A dual snorkel with heat stove and cool air hoses is the best set-up.

 

Ok, great...Is there a dual snorkel w/heat stove that you'd recommend?

 

If you can find one, a factory L69. If not, either fabricate one (see the tech articles linked from the thirdgen.org homepate), of try ramair.com (not sure theirs has the heat stove, though).

 

Had the whole Edelbrock system on my 86 350 Thirdgen, and |I loved it....Have the TES, waiting to put on my 89 also.........Love the SDT muffler, and 3 inch exhaust..Tom

 

from my experience stay away from hedman headers. their long tubes did'nt fit my 86 and their flanges on the shorties have bent over time i would recommend hookers from what i have heard and researched the 3 bolt flange is much better than the ball and socket.