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Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 11:41 AM
  #1  
novafirebirdguy's Avatar
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From: Des Moines, IA
Car: 90 Formula WS6, 86 Sport Coupe
Engine: 305 TBI, 2.8 MPFI
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4w/vette servos
Axle/Gears: 2.73 Open, 3.42 Open
Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

Hi guys
I guess I've got some stupid q's on shorty's. First of all, how hard is it do get them in. I read the tech article on installing long tubes but are shorty's the same way (ie, do you have to lift the engine to get them in)? Second of all, do any of the aftermarket y-pipes line up to the stock cat position? And will my stock starter fit?
Thanks guys
Alex
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Old Jul 7, 2009 | 12:26 PM
  #2  
tony_cogliandro's Avatar
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From: sunny so cal.
Car: 1990
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

do a search of hooker 2055 and you will have more than you can read in one day.
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 03:52 PM
  #3  
kkingsrulee's Avatar
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From: Temple City, CA
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: V8 305 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

Defintely, there are a few small things that aren't mentioned in those articles very often though, like the stupid little tabs around the front and rear bolts on the stock manifolds, and the inability to use or relocation of your dipstick.

Overall it's a tough job, you're going to spend hours on it, you're going to get dirty, and your hands are going to get scratched and dinged.
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 09:25 PM
  #4  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

Man up and just do it!

You can mess it up all by yourself just as well as any 'professional' for way less cost!

You'll soon discover - there are no more 'mechanics' in the world - just 'technicians' that have no more idea what they are doing than you do! I do EVERYTHING myself - I'm sure as hell not paying anyone else to mess my car up when I can do that all by myself! And with the labor money I save, I've accumulated alot of knowledge and tools!
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Old Jul 12, 2009 | 09:32 PM
  #5  
TheMuskr's Avatar
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From: Minnesota
Car: 89 IROC Z28 Vert
Engine: 305 TPI
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

FWIW im 18 and have a fair amount of mechanical knowhow.. and me and a friend got it done in around 3 nights. worst part is jacking up the engine to get the passenger side header in.. just my .02 in the end you just gotta go for it
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:07 AM
  #6  
kkingsrulee's Avatar
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From: Temple City, CA
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: V8 305 TBI
Transmission: W/C T5
Axle/Gears: 3.08
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

You shouldn't have to jack up the motor, I didn't have to, just make sure the dipstick and the positive cable running from the battery to the starter is out of the way. And it will make it alot easier if you disconnect the A/C canister, you will have alot more room to work.
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:17 AM
  #7  
FireChicken2.8's Avatar
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From: Eldridge, Iowa
Car: 1989 Red T-Top Firebird, 1989 Iroc
Engine: 2.8L 173 C.I., 355
Transmission: Th700r4 Auto, Built TH700R4
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

Hmm... How did I get so lucky? It took me no more than an hour to install my flowtech shorties...I guess the major benefit I had was the manifolds were off already.. But definitely do it yourself! Its a good learning experience! I'm a technician myself. If you weren't in des moines I'd give you a hand! What brand shorties are you going with? Because my flowtechs had a y pipe that matched right up with the factory cat location, sounds like it would be a good combination for you. (Despite the fact that everyone else seems to hate them, We've used them for a long time and loved them.)
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 07:02 PM
  #8  
ClassicCamaro's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 25
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From: Lincoln, neb
Car: 1991 Chevy Camaro Rs
Engine: 5.0 L TBI currently building a 350
Transmission: its a drag automatic shif kit in it
Axle/Gears: stock i think
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

im getting one hook up its shorties.... my mother's friend has hoist to use... i hope i could get it done in like few hours tho lol
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 07:59 PM
  #9  
V6F1R3BRD's Avatar
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: N. Virginia
Car: 1988 Firebird - 1998 Z28
Engine: 2.8 - LS1
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

I just started reading this, and i dont mean to hijack, but do hooker 2055's bolt right up to the stock y pipe? My passenger side manifold is leaking so i plan on just getting headers instead..
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 08:56 PM
  #10  
86firebirdta's Avatar
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 582
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From: Manteca, Ca
Car: 1983, 1986, 2001 Trans Am
Engine: 305 cfi, 350 carb, LS1
Transmission: 700,Edge 2800 th350,Edge 3400 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt 3.27 Borg-Warner, built 3.73
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

i jus got a set of hooker 2055 really easy to install and is very pleased with them i did have to lift the motor but its not too big of a mission to do... and the stock y wont bolt up to the 2055 completely different from the manifolds
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 09:30 PM
  #11  
tony_cogliandro's Avatar
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From: sunny so cal.
Car: 1990
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Shorty Headers, Should I do it, or a Muffler Shop

darn kking - i forgot about the dipstick! thanks for mentioning it. how did you do yours?
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