Been looking at Hawks LT stainless headers, Holley LT headers, Kooks LT headers and Stainless Works headers also. Bottom line: Which is best quality, well designed for install and not hitting everything in sight? I'm probably going with a LS7 in my 85 IROC with a auto trans. Also what Y-Pipe is the best? And how about muffler/tailpipe types,etc? I know this is the LS swap forum and not the exhaust one but I fell I'll get better answers here cause you guys have done this swap before. I need likes, dislikes, and what your experience has been. Pics would be great too. And I'm not concerned about cost. Just want the best exhaust components for my build. Thanks.

 

My vote is for the Holley long tubes, i have the generic 1 inch set back motor mounts, with hawks t56 cross member. Fitment is great. The only thing i had issues with if you even want to call it that, was getting the starter in, but once in there is more than enough room around it. I cant comment on the ypipe because i run an xpipe with duals. Ive heard good stuff about holleys true dual system for 3rd gens, but its only 2.5 pipe. And i cant recall what power levels it will support.

 

 

No problem man, hope it helps some.

 

Holley Blackheart. They are beautifully built and tuck up more than the stainless works.

 

 

Your engine might benefit significantly from dual 3" exhaust. Not easy to package though.

Probably the nicest single pipe exhaust system is the Hawks 3.5" system with 2" primary headers. It is made by Stainless Works for the LS7 and uses V-band clamps. Exhaust tip is hidden behind rear bumper. The 2" headers package much better than their smaller 1-3/4" headers. Only complaint is it tends to tap the passenger side frame now and then. Video below gives you an idea what it sounds like with my 427 stroker LS.

I'm swapping to a Mamofied LS7 so if you can wait until spring then you'll get to find out whether my 3.5" single system is a choke point. It certainly is not a choke point today but I'm about to gain a solid 100 RWHP. These exhaust systems are thousands of dollars so learning from each other can help save a bundle!

 

That's badass. We want more details!

 

I'm in the planning stage at this point. Will strip car and send to paint shop in early spring. I saw that single outlet setup you mentioned, was wondering the same thing. I will start a build thread soon with plenty of pics. In the meantime I'm trying to get a lot of my concerns and questions answered before I start, so I don't learn the hard way. Thanks for your reply.

 

Thanks for all of the replies.

 

Thanks for your reply. Was looking at them also.