Am looking to buy some for the car, and from what I have been reading long tubes are the way to go? Which brand has the best balance of quality and value?

 

That all depends on how much you are willing to spend. Personally my financial situation allowed me to buy the painted LT pacesetters and I am very pleased with them. I have a buddy who has the kooks ceramic coated with the same mods and we run the same 1/8 mile passes. Now his look a lot better then mine but mine perform well and cost alot less.

 

I am willing to spend up to 600 for headers and a y pipe and plan on fabbing a custom pipe back from that.

I priced out hooker long tubes and a y pipe, are those decent? How are the flange gaskets for durability?

 

All of the hp test that I have seen they did not pan out *** well as pacesetters are cheaper even the coated are cheaper. The coated headers are $469.69 from summit.

 

How much RWHP and RWTQ do you get with headers and tune, especially with no cats and cut out open? im also considering buying LT's and wondering if its worth it.

 

If you want the best go with KOOKS...

 

LPP are winners in my book. i loved mine untill my engine blew

 

LT's, not cats, and a pcm tune should be good for 20-25rwhp. Depending on a few variables.

 

if your going for a monster of a car go with the big KOOKS or hookers.if you want a hard running street car go with pasesetter and save yourself some money.

 

Thats what I have too. Cost $650 to the front porch. Full stainless and stepped up to 1 7/8" too. Also includes y-pipe.

 

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=441356

 

go with LPP. Almost the same thing as kooks for 350-400 less.

 

The quality was a lot higher than i thought they would be. i paid 650shipped with y pipe

 

So should I go shortys or long tubes? Which have the most effective gain on a stock engine?

 

long tubes, worlds of difference on a lt1. expect 24-30 hours to get old stuff off and be back on the road