I have searched this website and have read so much that I'm more confused now than before. I have narrowed it down to these three headers though. I want the best header for my car. Everything will be taken into consideration such as price, installation, plug access, quality, and of course power etc. The most I ever see me doing to the engine will be ported heads and hotcam rest will be bolt ons. This car is my daily driver. As of now the top two are MACs and Pacesetter l/ts, but the ASMs are still in the running. So which would be the best for my car?

 

Well, I can vouch for MAC plug access. Personally I like mine quite a bit. But if I had it to do over again, I would have gone straight for LT headers as I feel that I'll want them eventually (wouldnt mind another 15hp or so) and why do something twice, especially when it is a big PITA anyway.

G-Luck.

 

As far as plug access goes, the MAC's can't be beat.

Power and quality, ASM hands down. Pricey, but WELL worth it. Great ground clearance too.

 

the pacesetters for the price the quality is top notch just which ever header you choose get them coated.

 

Well, that seems to be one response for each.

I'll put my $.02 for MAC's. I don't see any HP differences between them and LT's, when researching, even up to 400 rwhp.

Great plug access, great ground clearance, good fit

I don't really think you can go too wrong with any of your choices.

Dan

 

the macs will eventually hold you up because of the 1 5/8 primaries but i don't see that happening for a while...
i'm gettin rk sports...theyre basically the as&m but theyre a couple hundred less
on their website, i think they're 450 with everything needed, including the y-pipe
i had to jump on that deal
also, you're from ky so you guys got emissions?
those lt's are gonna make it illegal just because they move the cat
if you can get by without anyone caring (which i'm sure you could) then it'd be no big deal
good luck man

 

I say Mac's because they have the best spark plug access and they have very good gains right next to longtubes, they seem to beat pacesetter on dyno numbers slightly.

 

No we don't have emissions in Ky. I know you can get the MACs Jet Hot coated, but what about the coating on ASMs and Pacesetters? Oh yeah forgot to mention that ground clearance is important too. My car isn't lowered but the road I live on sucks and so does my driveway, already scrapes if I come in it to fast. Also which of the three would be the hardest to install?

 

I have macs and there good but i think if you doing heads and cam later go ahead and do the LT now. I have done alot of research on pacesetter and they would be my choice when i go longtube. Good luck. You will like the mac's but they are quite expensive now i got mine for 309 shiped. but that was 3 years ago

 

Ive owned both MACs and Pacesetters. The MACs were easier to install and the power isnt too different, i think the Pacesetters have a little more grunt. Ive had both and dont listen to what people tell you about MACs.... the plug access is great, but Pacesetters w/o emmisions literally took me 5 mins to put in my plugs. I was VERY shocked how easy the plugs were.

The ground clearance w/ the pacesetters isnt bad, but i am open headers still. Ive heard the y-pipe is hit or miss, so i cant say. Im goin true duals.

They are both great headers.... but the MACs will give you much less headache (had to get the car 3' off the ground to install pacesetters) and ground clearance is much better.

 

I've been searching some more and found out that RK sports are almost identical to ASMs but cheaper, what are the differences? disco192 any dyno runs between the two headers or 1/4 times? Where do you think the pacesetter l/ts are better low, mid, high rpms or just better throughout rpms?

 

i'd say go with mids for ground clearance, that's why i chose them (and i have emissions)

the rk sports are basically identical but come with "rougher" welds and maybe a cheaper ceramic coating, not sure on that one

 

i've been working on my MAC headers for over 1.5 years, and I just can't get them to stop leaking for the life of me. the hiss is driving me nuts, and it makes me want to sell my car!

I'll be switching back to manifolds in a little while when I have time.

 

Been doing more searching and read something about slip tube primary and they have problems of leaking. Are the Macs the only ones that has slip tube(out of three I'm deciding on)? Couldn't find the purpose of it though, does it allow easier installation?

 

I thought header leak had a ticking sound.