the tachometer on my 92 camaro auto shows redline at 5000 rpm. this seems incredibly low to me. anyone wish to enlighten me on this. why is it so low?

 

Because that engine produces absolutely no power whatsoever long before it ever gets that far, and it has ceased to be useful to keep it in too low of a gear. Even though it won't harm the engine, it's pointless to run it that high. It would be about like the Honduh guys, that when they're "racing", they're holding up all the traffic (the Camrys and Hyundais and such) behind them.

 

that sux! do u know the main cause of the power restriction? i guess i'm asking what exactly would be the best bang for my buck? i don't want to get to extreme with it but i'd throw about 4 or 5 hundred at it. i've already done everything behind the headers. i was told the stock headers are just as good as aftermarket headers on that paticular car (is that true?)

-Steve

 

You have manifolds. Log style and icky. Headers are different and many many times better. There is no comparison in performance. Headers, hands down. Start there.

 

Aye Stekman hit it dead on, got to be able to get the exhaust out before anything you do to the engine is gonna "feel" better, I am in that position now, new engine and outta cash for better exhaust. not to stray off the 3rd gens but i felt a "seat of the pants" difference going from stock manifolds to afterburner headers on my 85 prix (lg4)which is basicly the same engine.

 

You have crappy heads, cam, gears, torque converter, exhaust and intake. Every one of those parts murder any hope of making top end power. Even with a full exahust and intake mods the car will not make power past 5k. The profile of the stock cam in conjunction with the heads were desinged to make low rpm power and confine to the sniffer laws.

 

which headers will work the best for me?

 

Any shorty hedders out there will work fine. Get a set that has 1-5/8" primaries (tubes) and is desinged for TPI cars. That way the y-pipe will be a full as opposed to the TBI systems that are 2.25". This will require some fab work to attach to your cat. It is easy to wait until you can replace the whole exhaust at once. If you do one piece at a time start with the cat back and then then wait unitl you can replace the cat and hedders at the same time.

 

I'm a fan of the SLP headers and especially their Y-pipe. Pricey, yes. But as the case for many things automotive, you get what you pay for. Also, getting the install kit for the TPI may be needed in the case of the SLP headers.

 

like i said i have already done my exhaust, including a high flow cat, all i need is the headers. i'll see what i can find at jeg's.