Which Headers??

roush 97

New Member

Aug 28, 2003

86

0

0

Illinois

Nov 28, 2004

#1

• Nov 28, 2004

• #1

I have basically a stock car except for exhaust. I put on an x pipe not so long ago and I broke off a stud on each header that connects to the x pipe. I southern engineered the X pipe up to the headers for the time being. Now that it's winter I decided on replacing the headers and fixing it right. I figured since I'll have to remove the stock headers anyways to fix this, that I may as well upgrade a bit. What do you guys reccomend for me. Would I lose much torque with say BBK shorties, or something similar? I'd probably put the stock one back on, but I kind of want to get something that looks a bit better under the hood besides those rusty old things since the rest of the compartment is very clean.

 

Kdubslugga

Active Member

Jun 7, 2003

1,515

3

38

Akron, OH

Nov 28, 2004

#2

• Nov 28, 2004

• #2

If you lose any torque it will be very little if any, the HP you make will make up for it anyways! I just put on some BBK Shorties that are Ceramic coated. I got them off Ebay for 100 bucks! They look brand new too. You can go this route, or get new ones if money isnt an issue. Chrome ones are fine to, they will immediatly change color when you start it up though. I actually read not long ago, that on a bone stock 5.0, Headers dynoed at 8 RWHP, which isnt to shabby!!

 

ponyboy19

Founding Member

May 24, 2000

1,640

0

36

Nov 28, 2004

#3

• Nov 28, 2004

• #3

Personally I would buy a cheap set of Mac's or BBK's. Don't let some fool you about Mac's quality. IMO they are no worse than anyone elses despite what some may tell you. I have Mac unequal lenths on my 92 and their fine. I've always run 1 5/8 equal lengths before and never had any issues burning plug wires. Mac or BBK would both be a nice set of headers. I've had/have both. Look for a used set of what ever and throw them on. If you can find a set of equal lengths I'd pick them up.

 

Henceforward

The Avatar Master

Founding Member

Jul 17, 2001

485

0

0

Nov 28, 2004

#4

• Nov 28, 2004

• #4

Go with the BBK ceramic shorty headers. I should have gone that route, but money is tight.

Remember to use some Loc Tite Red, and buy the Felpro gaskets.

 

I

Idwitheld-1`

New Member

Nov 30, 2003

335

0

0

Portland Oregon

Nov 28, 2004

#5

• Nov 28, 2004

• #5

I bought the BBK chrome equal lengths. What did I learn from this purchase?

1. Shorties are easier to install. There is no (detectable) performance gain or loss from equal length vs. shorties.

2. Equal length are harder to install.

3. Chrome is fine if you never start the engine. Now it looks like garbage.

4. Spend the extra money and get the stage-8 locking bolts. Worth the money.

5. I had to fab up a custom bracket for the oil stick. Don't buy the LOKAR unit it sucks and didn't even fit (lots of people have expeienced this issue).

6. If looks count get ceramic coated. If I do it again, JBA's.

7. Plan your exhaust system. Next time I'm doing the entire system stainless--headers to tips. Big expense up front, but will last much longer.

 

R

ratrapp

New Member

Apr 24, 2004

510

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0

buena vista,va

Nov 28, 2004

#6

• Nov 28, 2004

• #6

i've got the flowtech equal length shorties.i had no trouble installing them.i also thought the lokar dipstick fit fine on my 88 as well as friends 95gt.

 

J

jmd2914

Founding Member

Sep 6, 2002

937

0

0

Napa, California

Nov 29, 2004

#7

• Nov 29, 2004

• #7

i have chrome bbk shorties and i like them. the gaskets that come with them suck though. you dont really feel a loss in tq but you do feel a gain in hp, the chrome burns off alil though so i would go with the ceramic coated ones unless you really want chrome. just my .02
joel

 

roush 97

New Member

Aug 28, 2003

86

0

0

Illinois

Nov 29, 2004

#8

• Nov 29, 2004

• #8

Thanks guys, I'll probably go with the ceramic BBK shorty. I don't mind spending the extra for the ceramic over the chrome.