Hello all,

I've been watching the boards for a few months now in anticipation of me finally getting my first third gen Camaro. Now that I finally have one (an 84 Z28), I'm not exactly sure where to start. It's the HO 305 (professionally rebuilt a couple of years ago. I would have to check receipts to say exactly what was done). The paint is relatively new and the interior is clean (though I think the tan color is ugly).

First, a little background. I'm a Jet Mechanic, not a car mechanic. I feel confident doing pretty much any maintenance with the right tech data (I can pull an engine out of an F-16 without any trouble), but I'm still relatively inexperienced with cars. I want to get a bit more power, but I feel like I should start small to get my hands dirty first, and I'm not exactly sure where to start. Any help here would be appreciated. Basically, this is my practice/starter car as I'd like to become knowledgeable enough to restore a 2nd gen Camaro.

 

The first thing that you should do, if it has not already been done by the previous owner, is a complete exhaust. Headers, I prefer Hooker but if you have the money Dyno Don's are the best of the best. Hedman are pretty good too although I've never personally used or installed them. Next is a matching Y pipe to mate to the header's. Then a 3 inch cat back system of your preference. The exhaust system is the biggest bottle neck in performance that your car has. Eliminating this bottle neck will also help you fully utilize other modifications in the future.

 

Thanks, that's helpful. Should I start with the headers or wait until I can afford the entire setup? Am I going to need a welder?


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

You should be able to take the Y pipe and Catback to a exhaust shop and have it welded up (if you don't have a welder) for under 100 bucks, I did with mine. If it's new to you, I'd go ahead and change the fluids in it, and possibly sparkplugs/wires. Just a safety precaution and you'll have all of it out of the way and KNOW when it was last changed. Just my .02

 

as for a little more power, as mentioned the exhaust is a really good place to start. I have a set of Hedman shorty style headers on my 82, and I like them, But to each is their own, I ran headers a little big of pipe to a set of flowmasters, and then dumped them at a 90 degree angle just under the back seats, but it may be a little too much noise, depending on what you've got in that 305 cam wise

 

If I do them one at a time, should I start with headers first or go with the catback first?

So you're saying I can take the new y-pipe and catback to a shop and get them welded together. And the y-pipe will line up with the headers?

Also, will a new exhaust line up with the mounts from the old one? And I'm assuming they come bent appropriately to fit, right?

I'm going to go and read through some if the threads on here that show an installation and see what I can learn, also.


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

Start with the headers, if it's an exhaust shop they can either weld pipe to the headers, the Y pipe should be pre bent and match up with the headers, then they may have to add a little bit of pipe to the Y and connect it to the catback. If the mounts don't line up they'll probably just MIG weld it to the old mounts. Shouldn't have any problem just tell them you're wanting to get that installed, and you'll be fine

 

Forget the headers !
The HO already has a larger exaust/cat etc. than a non HO and breaths pretty
good for a stock set up.
Exaust leaks and low ground clearance not to mention Negligible horsepower
gains in a stock daily driver make headers a lousy first mod IMO.
Not to mention the cost.............

 

Then where you recommend me starting?


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

"Good for a stock setup" means "pretty bad compared to headers".

Do the headers.

 

sonjaab is correct in that the HO's do have a better breathing exhaust...which is still pretty dismal as compared to a decent set of shorty headers.

Even if you keep the engine completely stock, headers will help. Back when I still had my 305HO in the car, I noticed a difference in power right away when I installed TES shortys and Hooker catback on it.

EDIT: Ground clearance was excellent (good as stock) if you use shortys...LT's are a different story all together.

 

I'm pretty set on starting with headers, and since it's a daily driver I'll probably go with shorties. It looks like the coated Hooker 2460s are the best bet for me now, budget-wise. Also, if I'm not not mistaken, I'll have to get a new y-pipe, as well.


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

Any headers worth having won't work with a stock Y pipe, and the stock Y is half the problem with the exhaust anyway.

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hok-16767hkr

Here's the corresponding y pipe to the 2460's

 

So just figure on spending around $1500 bucks for the headers, Y pipe, and the custom
pipes/mufflers/cat converters (you need TWO of each) and bending at the muffler shop.
Forget the time you spend installing the headers cuz thats FREE right?

Prob. will have to budget another few hundred dollars to rejet your carb. because
once you open up the exaust system its gonna run pretty lean.
If not you could fry a few valves, have overheating problems, spark knock etc.
I am sure you have a good carb. expert in your town that will have plenty of time
to dial it in correctly. Whats a few hundred more to do it right?

 

I planned on getting the headers and y-pipe and then getting the rest later. I can't afford it all together.

Once I install the headers and y-pipe, will it line up with the current exhaust or will I need to take it somewhere?


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

The EXPERTS here allready told you you need TRUE dual exaust to go with those headers! Don't forget the Y pipe. That stuff alone is $800 in parts!
Heres the ultra cool shiny headers ya want:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hok-2460-2hkr
ONLY $549 PLUS shipping plus $249 for the Y pipe to boot!

NOPE.........You gotta throw away all your existing pipes and mufflers!
That TRUE dual system you want don't use or hook up to any existing
stock parts!

Why would you bother with headers and a Y pipe to hook into the factory
single pipe exaust anyway? You still end up with the existing exaust restriction
issues.

H*ll..........Just run her wide open off the open headers! She will sound
MEAN as heck! You will prob. gain a whole 20 horsepower for the $800 bucks!

Doesn't AZ. have emission testing?

 

Depends...I'm assuming you're going with shorty headers here...w/single exhaust.

Do you have the original style 4 bolt flanges on the in/out of the CAT? If you do, you need to get specific HO Y-pipe and CATBACK exhaust for it in order for it to be a bolt-on proposition. You could get the Catback part of it later, but keep in mind the rest of the stock exhaust pipe is around 2.5"...not bad really for a 305.

If you don't have the 4 bolt flanges, it's actually easier and opens up more choices of headers/catback systems.

Will everything line up? Well, I didn't check to see if they sell this stuff anymore, but I used a set of Edelcrock TES headers (for HO cars) w/air tubes and a Hooker supercomp catback w/4 bolt flange (for HO) on mine and it was bolt-on. Even utilized all the stock hangers.

Another option is to get a non 4 bolt system, but you'll need to get a new cat w/o the flanges...you cant just whack the flanges off each end of the CAT because the pipe is ovaled and won't fit the regular 3" pipe...unless you're a skilled fabricator/welding type of guy.....I only dabble myself. lol

 

BTW: Does your 84 ho still have the AIR pump?
If so make sure the headers u buy have the fittings/bungs pre-fabbed
already.

Again emission related

 

Good point...if he gets the Edelcrocks, they'll have the air tubes. The check valves and hoses screw right onto them.

 

If he's running the y pipe then he will only need one of everything else; intermediate pipe, muffler, and the optional cat converter, depending on where he lives and how emissions friendly his area is. A better route would be to buy the entirety of the cat back as one unit, no exhaust shop required.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ho...maro/year/1984

Original poster, you seem to have the skills to learn how to do this type of labor so no exhaust shop would be necessary. I put my entire exhaust headers back on with under 4 hours of total labor with no lift.

Another route you could do is wait until you see a complete exhaust for your car for sale in your area either through the classified section of TGO or on craigslist. I bought my entire exhaust for under $200 and it is in fine condition.

 

NO MONEY!

Even better...................Forget the headers,
Why not hack off the factory pipes and run off the exaust manifolds?

Price is free!
NO exaust restriction at all!
It will sound MEAN as heck!
Your gonna gain 25 horsepower to boot!
Not to mention the weight savings!

 

Geez, you throw a party for your two year old and miss all the posts.

I do feel like I could learn/do about anything with the right equipment and practice, so I've been thinking if picking up a welder and doing that myself.

I really wanted to do something soon, as in the next couple months, but it's starting to seem worthwhile to wait until I can afford the entire exhaust at once.

I think I'll keep saving and keep an open eye. Thanks for the help guys.


Posted from Thirdgen.org App for Android

 

Soon as I get my other headers and Y-pipe on, I'll have my TES headers up for sale in the classifieds in a couple months. The y-pipe was slightly modded, but will fit under a stock pan just fine.