Hello everyone and thanks in advance for the help. I'm tearing apart my boys engine and getting everything cleaned up before he turns 16 this summer. Please keep in mind that this is the first time in 20 years that I have pulled a motor and done all this so I don't remember quite a bit. We have a 86 Iroc and after pulling the block out, it appears that there are several leaks so I am thinking that it is best to replace all the gaskets on the block. My question for the gaskets is, how do I know what type/brand to go with. I have seen several different "Full Kits" with a wide range of price and don't want to get something that is full of cork gaskets. The bad thing here is that all the gaskets that I have seen online or even at Oreilly's and Auto Zone don't have a description of the material used for the gasket.

My next question is on Headers. We have removed everything associated with the smog crap and are looking for headers. Was just curious if there were any recommendations as to a brand that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks again for the help and advise....

 

Felpro is in my opinion the BEST brand you can go with for gaskets. Available through summit or at most parts houses. They've never let me down and I use them on all my projects. I've been using them for a few years since I started working on projects with my dad and we've used Felpro gaskets on everything.

For headers... this is a bit of a trick. I have an older set of Hedman headers and a Hedman y-pipe. However, they are a bit tricky to install if you've never done it and in order to get the passenger side to fit properly without rubbing I removed the metal heater line that runs along the frame and up to the heater core. I then re-ran all my heater hoses with just rubber heater hose and bypassed the big plastic valve that sat on top of my valve cover. Also keep in mind that on the driver side, with my 91 at least, the easiest way to install the driver side was by disconnecting the steering shaft at both ends under the hood so that I could squeak it in.

Another thing to consider is that you should look for headers that have a bung for the 02 sensor (if needed) already installed. If not you'll have to take them somewhere to get the bung welded in.

The best bang for your buck though would in all honesty probably be Summit brand headers. Get shorties since they fit better and from what I've read all of Summits headers are made by Flowtech. Another decent company that won't break the bank. And if you're doing headers, do your car a huge favour and get the kit that comes with the y-pipe.

 

Great thanks!

 

Another vote for Fel pro gaskets. I tend to buy each gasket rather than a set cause I need/want to tailor each item..
Like head gaskets, most kits comes with the common 4.166" x .039" or .041" gaskets and I like to use the 4.100" x .015" ones to bump compression up.

I like the fel pro 1 pc. oil pan gaskets, etc.

As far as headers, for good budget headers the two I recommend are Hooker shorty headers and hedman long tube headers.. Both with 1-5/8" tubes.

The hedman's being long tubes do have a few fitment probs where you have to grind a spot on your car's chassis, maybe dimple a header tube, etc

 

Trouble with Felpro gaskets is that they're not all the same. You can get Felpro OEM replacement gaskets and Felpro performance gaskets. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

 

Dougs headers fit perfect