Ok, so LT Pacesetters are the right price and can come coated. Hookers are more $$$ and can come coated. LS1.com states that 'All LT's dyno within the same net gain.'. I have seen threads on this site argue that point but not one has come up with solid dyno proof. Biggest difference I see between them is that Hookers are coated inside and out while Pacesetters are coated only outside. I understand that headers coated on the inside will flow better but for another $300, how much better and are there any other differences (fit issues, weld quality etc...) with the pacesetters?



Search disclaimer:
I have searched Google and this site for dyno comparisons between the two headers on cars with similar mods but have come up empty.

 

Coating on the inside isn't so much for flow, as it is for corrosion protection and additional heat retention. Exhaust parts typically corrode from the inside, so the barrier will protect the base metal. This is important since these headers are made of mild steel and not stainless. Jet-Hot warrants their coated headers against corrosion. Headers coated inside will last longer.

I too am interested in the Pacesetters. I've wondered how the ground clearance is compared to the others. I also notice that the Hookers have primary lengths that are closer (than Pacesetters) to equal-length. I know they're not equal, but they are closer.

Brent did a nice little writeup on the visual differences between the two, with lots of pictures.

 

On the subject of headers, everyone says that LTs are the way to go. All I here is that they make more power vs STs or MTs. My question is,

How much more?
Is it something you can feel by the seat of your pants?
Or, is it something only the DYNO will see?

I want to buy a set of headers, but do not want the extra labor of installing LTs if the HP gain over STs (which are a direct replacement for stock manifolds) is minute.

 

Hmmm, makes perfect sense. Does sound like coated inside/outside they would last a long longer. I wonder then why Pacesetter LTs have a 3 year warranty and Hooker (Holley) has only a 1 year warranty

Argh, decisions decisions ....

 

The Hookers aren't well protected from factory. If you want the good warranty for Hooker LTs, get them Jet-Hot coated. Jet-Hot warrants them after the coating is applied. The Pacesetters will last 3 years easy. I'd bet that you could get uncoated Pacesetters and send them to Jet-Hot, and they'd warranty those as well.

 

That's a good point. Uncoated Pacesetters + Jet Hot Coating is still cheaper than Hooker LT Coated, not by much though. And that would make the Pacesetters coated inside and out. Looks like I will be going with Pacesetters. Everyone who has tried them has loved them (except for the first rendition of Pacesetters). The price is right and according the the LS1 gods, performance wise a Pacesetter and Hooker will produce the same results.

Thanks for all the suggestions, Once I order the headers/y-pipe and get em' in I'll post pics and maybe a dyno if I'm lucky.

 

well I bought jet hot coated headers and after three months they started peeling real bad, then rusting from that. I started a thread and found out there were more people, actually lots more, that had the same problem, and this was summer driving only! My point is I will never spend the extra money on the headers for a slightly better coating. They had a three year warranty, but I didn't want to pull them out and spend 40-50 bucks and have them sent to be re-coated. I doubt you'll see any real difference in performance between any of the longtubes. I'd be more interested in which have better plug access and bettter ground clearance, than one horsepower. Of course price is very important also, id' just go with the pace

 

you can feel a difference. With LT's You'll feel a bit less down low, but up top the longtubes will really shine. Shorties do basically nothing as far as power gains, but I'm sure a lot of people will argue this. I'd say the choice is either mids or longs... forget about shorties. Just my opinion.

 

I bought flowtech and I am 100% happy with them, especially for the price. Pacesetter price for Hooker quality. People with pacesetters run into the issue of ypipe fitment. If you buy pacesetter, get a custom y done at a shop.

BTW, ceramic no matter what. Dont go through all that work to have them rust to hell soon.

 

I'll have to look into FlowTechs stuff. I did see posts about fitment issues with Pacesetter's Y-Pipe and had planned on getting a custom one made, but, I have called 5 different muffler shops in the area and not one of them will make a Y-Pipe for a car with no cats (!emmissions) . I've been told a custom made pipe by someone who knows what they are doing will be a better Y-Pipe anyways.

 

I looked at www.macperformance.com, and found a set of headers for my 94 z28. The picture shows them to be coated, but the description does not mention it. Does any one know if they come coated?

Part Number: TF94957
Price: 469.50

Description: 28.4 Rear Wheel Horsepower on LT1! This header is made of 1 5/8" 16ga. tubing and comes complete with a 2.5" Y-Pipe and 3" Collector.


this is the info from their website.

Thanks all

 

yes, flowtech is a great brand to run with. Very affordable and very quality. When you are looking for an exhaust shop to do something illegal, actually go in and talk to them. Over the phone, they are weary that they will get a bad rep or can get in legal trouble. Go in, talk to them tell them what you are looking for and you should have better luck that way.

 

The MAC's come coated, but not ceramic coated. Their coating is more to stop rust. I've had mine on for a year (daily driver) and they look great!

 

How was the install, well fitment. I know that headers are alway a PITA to install. But, everthing fit together nice.

Since I do not have a cat, and have a piece of pipe welded in its place, I will have to get a flange made to fit the y pipe, or should I just cut off the flange at the back of the y pipe and weld it in place?

So overall, you are happy with you MACs? Did you buy them from macperformance.com?