Hey guys I'm looking for headers and a cam (less expensive as possible), I just put in a dynomax exhaust system and I'm really happy with the results, I didn't buy a catalytic converter, should I get one, does it make a difference? What do you think is worth getting more, A cam or headers? and if I change either one, would I have to make any changes to the computer?
California Car

 

There are no smog legal headers for the 3.1L. So I would look into cams.

 

Cams, more bang for ur buck.!

 

I have the smog illegal headers with a high flow cat and my car passed the NJ state inspection in July. But I would do the cam if you could only choose one but why not just get both.

 

by the smog illegal headers do you mean the 2.8 pacesetters? lol just wondering.....

 

I would do headers then cam. You will get more out of the cam with headers. Not to mention that they will make your car sound better.

 

I want to get a cam and headers but these California laws are serious so I rather not for now since I probably would have to pay some serious money to make it pass or worse yet I won't be able to get my stickers. Would it help if I get the 2.8 headers and California Illegal Cam and a High flow Catalytic converter, would I have a chance of passing? It seems like I can't do anything to this car, or should I just wait and save up for a turbo or buy an MSD ignition system, how good are those MSD's by the way?

 

yes i am talking about the 2.8L headers by pacesetter. The 3.1L does not have its own headers.

 

The 2.8 headers will fit but you have to get rid of the smog pump. For a cam you can probaby run one a little larger than stock and be fine.

 

The 3.1 and 2.8 have the same heads so it'll bolt up fine. Pacesetter says they're 50 state legal so it should pass as long as the emissions crap is hooked up. You won't need to reprogram the computer just swapping the headers, but you might with a cam change.

I'd go with the headers first because they'll actually raise torq. A cam can raise power but with these engines (especially iorn headed) it has to be done in conjunction with other mods to give any noticeable gain. Most cams out there for these engines just move the powerband around to make it 'feel' like a performance gain- the notable exception being crane's solid profiles. Your money would be better spent having the heads ported or better yet completely replaced with aluminum ones.

 

Sure they are great but it creates a world of other problems that have to be addressed.

 

Yep, alot of parts need to be swapped out but they're 1000X better than the iorn heads. The 3400 top end swap is well documented so it can be done by just about anyone.

 

Hello, I'm a newB here. What's a 3400 top end kit? Is that a FWD engine?

 

It is the FWD engines. They are aluminum heads that flow much better than the iron heads. To do the swap you also need the pistons, intak, TB, and a few other parts. Its pretty involved swap but is is worth it. You'd also have to fab up something for ignition.

 

Or cut a chunk out of the intake. Most people switch to DIS anyway.

 

Headers because they will increase you power at just about every rpm and throttle position. My 3.1 has headers, ported 1986 2.8 fiero heads, and nice little cam. Really my only affordable choice of headers for a 4x4 S-series Blazer was Edelbrock. They are made well and really picked up the power of the old 2.8. Additional gain was realized when the modified 3.1 was put in place of the stockish 2.8. I should mention it is a TBI engine that we also bored out the intake manifold and are running a 305 TBI unit on (was done when it was still a 2.8). V6 guys running a MAP based system will need chip work to make the engine run correctly. My truck was undriveable at first after the mods.

This is what a good smog legal header kit will look like for a 2.8/3.1/3.4

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

Those are for a S10/Blazer. The only company that makes headers now are Pacesetter. Edelbrock makes good headers and I would love a pair but they probably won't fit around the engine bay.

 

I know they are for a S10, but I was simply stating that is what a good set of smog legal headers look like.

This is what my 3.1 sounded like before I put an exhaust system on the Y-pipe of the Edelbrock TES system. This is prior to me tuning it. It was running on a 4.3 TBI prom in this video. Hence why it died when I suddenly pushed hard on the gas.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gdQENVYISPs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yK2agWA1zhw