I've looked through several different forums and its apparent that you can't install headers on a Third Gen w/o changing the Y pipe. My question was what do you have to change. I kno you have to change the 2 bolt flange to the three but what else is required? Idc about retaining the Cat because well, its straight piped till my flowmaster. And if I buy Headers and a matching Y pipe do I have to go to a shop and have it welded to where I cut the old one?

 

I went with flowtech shortys and ypipe,The shop made a pipe to connect to my borla,where my cats were.they welded it to the ypipe and slip fitted my borla,so only one weld was required for mine.

 

You have three choices: 1) Buy headers that come with a y-pipe for them (y-pipes don't interchange between brands, and no 3rd gen header is made for the factory y-pipe); 2) Buy headers and have a shop modify your factory y-pipe to mate to the headers; 3) Buy headers and have a shop fabricate a new y-pipe for you.

You don't necessarily have to have a shop weld an aftermarket y-pipe to your exhaust. You can use clamps.

 

TY, I kno this is waaaaaaay late but i bought flowtechs shorty headers n y pipe package. Works great =)