Im looking into buying some MAC headers, part number MAC TF3597, heres the picture from MAC's website

http://www.macperformance.com/store/...Product_ID=458

What do you guys think of these
What Hp gains am i looking at (stock other than TB bypass)
Ease of install (or lack there of)
Is there anything better for that price
Where are they sold for the cheapest (i found $730)

I would throw on some LT's but i have to pass smog in CA, and around here we're not allowed to move our cats around.

Thanks for the help,
Greg

 

Greg, straightlineperf.com has them for $599.00. Hope this helps!

 

You will find mixed emotions about MAC headers. They can be a major pain in the butt to install but they work decently. They have 1 5/8" primaries which is smaller than most other shorties. In my personal opinion I would never buy them again but I bought them in the first b/c they are cheap. You get what you pay for though. Definitely you will have to get them ceramic coated b/c their coating is crap.

You should look around and I would recommend headers that have a single flange and will not warp. Other brands...JBA, SLP, BBK.....

 

I believe i have seen them on ebay for around $500 with shipping.

 

I put them on a few years ago,

I'm taking them off this year to get them re-ceramic coated (not a MAC problem though).

Anyhow my opinions:

Quality:
-Not too bad, was not impressed with the welding but they have not leaked yet.
-Make sure Mack sends the correct AIR tube fittings with the headers for your year car. they didn't for me.
-The cup/cone connections at the headers and y pipe were leaking on mine, they didn't seem to line up correctly. I have my y-pipe off currently and can tell by the soot pattern where each side leaked. I hope to remedy this problem by paying more attention with the y-pipe reinstall.
Their coating is ineffective (at least in here in the norther states, get them ceramic coated. (of coarse mine rusted anyways) BTW their factory coating looks nothing like the picture shown in your link!

Installation:
Hardest part for me was removing the stock manifolds. After that I had a dickens of a time trying to get the oil dipstick installed again, others have had the same problem. I'd suggest two sets of hands for this step would be much better than one.

Performance:
As far as performance goes, they are the biggest difference I've felt out of my meager list of mods...
Also, plug access is great!


Would I buy them again? Tough question, I think I wouldn't based on the same observations as rocmemphis. They are cheap but as roc said, you get what you paid for.