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.
Which Headers??
- Thread starter roush 97
- Start date
Kdubslugga
Active Member
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!!
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.
- Jul 17, 2001
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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.
Remember to use some Loc Tite Red, and buy the Felpro gaskets.
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.
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.
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