Ok, I know this is kind of a dumb question (I did search for a bit, I just didn't find what I was looking for) but I would like to know which set of headers would be the most practical. Basically, the practicality aspect I am curious about is which set of headers for the LT1 would make swapping plugs easier (while giving a small performance increase) because the stock exhaust manifolds are a huge PITA to work around. So far, the one that has seemed the most appealing for what I am looking for out of a set based on what it looks like is this set:



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



I'll admit, I don't have a whole lot of experience with long tube headers so I am not sure if the set I am looking at is worth the price (or if it can be found cheaper elsewhere) and if they bolt up to the rest of the ehxaust with no modificiation required. Also, I don't know if Dyantech quality is worth a damn; here are others I have looked at on the same site:



http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...7C0&rsview=sku



From looking at what is available, it would seem that long tube headers will do what I want where as the short ones will not. Also, I'm not sure what diameter inlet piping the headers would need to be to match the stock exhaust manifolds and what would be an upgrade. Anyhow, if someone with a bit more experience could take a few minutes to make some recommendations to me, I'd really appreciate the time. Thanks in advance.

 

2 words:
Coated Pacesetters

 

slp - if u got the cash
edelbrock - nice gains

 

wat has the best gains?

 

slp has a massive price reduction on their 93 mids right now
stainless steel!

 

I'm not looking for what has the most gain performance wise, I'm looking for the set that would be the most practical for working on the car. The Pacesetters seem to wrap over the top much like the stock manifolds do, which appears to still be difficult for doing work down on the side of the engine. The Dynatech one that I looked at seems to be the only set that has no over lap but I have no idea if they are even a decent quality product. Also, I am not sure which of the available sets will bolt to the remaining stock exhaust.

 

Mac mids. Good plug access. Bolts to stock cat.

http://www.macperformance.com/store/...Product_ID=457

 

SLPs are on a great deal right now and theyre stainless steel. You would have to get rid of your emmissions and you would need to get a 3" cat or 3" pipe to mate it to the rest of your exhaust. Mac headers have a good reputation for plug access and you can keep your emmissions stuff and it should bolt in with minimal modification. The Macs are just made of regular steel though, that shiny coating will turn to rust in a couple years.
The picture of those headers are for an LS1 camaro, they wont fit yours.

 

I see you're asking about "direct bolt-in"....

You're not going to bolt longtubes up to stock exhaust by just replacing the manifolds. You'll need a y-pipe to go along with it plus welding a flange on the end to mate to the catback (better than welding the ypipe to the catback)

 

Practical implies:
easy to install
easy plug access
proven quality and performance
value
emmision friendly

The only header that is this is Mac headers, preferrably coated.
That is the most practical.

Yes LT's and a few other mids perform better, but they may cost more, plug access sux and they are harder to install.

 

My Jet Hot Longtubes have excellent plug access. I can take my time gapping all of the plugs, using dielectric grease, and making sure everything is right, and still get them done in a 1/2 hr.

 

Do you have to meet any sort of emissions inspection, particularly "visual"? That will determine what headers you have to select from. There are not many 96 dual-cat emisions certified headers.

 

I have Hooker shorties that are coated and love them #6 plug is the only one I have any trouble with other than that I can change all of them from the top with little or no prob and it has all the emmision stuff on it

 

If you want headers, you should get a catback as well, otherwise you will not see near the gains because the stock muffler will choke the exhaust.

I also have a OBDII LT1 ('96-'97). I bought the '94-'95 style Mac mids coated directly from www.jet-hot.com I also changed my catback to a '94-'95 style Hooker Aerochamber catback. All you need to do is fab up a cat, or bullet muffler to connect the Y-pipe to the catback. I have a write-up on here somewhere with how I did it. You'll also need rear O2 sims, or have them programmed out, but that's the case with almost any header.

I gained 35 rwhp and 30 rwtq from the headers and catback. It was a huge gain, and worth every penny. Roughly $280 for the catback, $550 for the headers, and $90 for the cat.

Plug access is awesome, the sound is incredible, and they installed well.

Dan

 

I have hooker Lt's and the plugs are very easy to change except for the #6and 8. Ground clearance is fine as long as you don't have a lowered car (I've never scraped). Installation is a pain but its not like you will do it a billion times. Do it once and do it right.