i have a 96 z28 (with slp loudmouth) and i want to get LT's and a y-pipe, emissions for both is a must. i want the headers to be coated for longevity. i'd also like:
-best HP for the buck
-least cost
-reasonable spark plug clearance
-must work with loudmouth
i know everybody and their brother has a header question but i looked through other posts and still couldn't find what i needed. I'd appreciate any help you guys can offer. If you need any more info ask.

 

I've always heard that the Pacesetters were the best bang for the buck.

 

I'll tell you from experience... that will be a very loud setup!

 

yeah it is and for longetivity get em coated by jet hot or they will rust in no time at all anyway

 

By definition, LT's can not be emissions legal, because they relocate the cats from their stock locations. If you have a "visual" inspection, and they know what they are looking at, you won't pass.

 

As Injuneer noted, even if you have long tubes with the emissions fittings, they are still technically not "emissions legal" due to the cat relocation. There is still a chance you can pass if you don't have an SES light illuminated or too many "not ready" status' set in your PCM, but as mentioned, if they know what they are looking for, your goose is cooked. Have you considered mid-length headers, they offer power gains very close to the long tubes and they can reuse the stock style y-pipe.

 

yeah i know it will be loud but thats what i want,i had looked at some midtubes, but never really considered them. if i go with midtubes, what brands should i look at? and will i get more power from a bigger y pipe? and what brand ypipes should i look at? also, i definitly will be getting headers coated. thanks

 

If your emissions testing is via tailpipe sniffer only (in Illinois for OBDI cars, for example), then long tubes would be OK, yes... ??

 

i live in connecticut, they do the tail pipes and im pretty sure they look at the cats, ive also heard of CT cops pulling over very loud cars and checking for cats and for decibles. i also have obdII, so i have to deal with 2 stupid cats. as fore mid tubes, hows the spark clearance? and how hard are they to install? i have access to a lift.

 

Headers are a pain to install, but if you have a lift, that will simplify things to a great extent.