i sound like i real big newbie here but im getting my 95 TA next week and looking for heads real soon. which would be better to get? im looking at hooker possibly but not certain. any ideas towards best sound and price?

 

You mean headers, not heads. The heads are what the headers bolt up to.

Anyways, the header decision is a tough one.

All I can say is that I like my MAC '94-'95 midlength style headers and Y-pipe very much, and am glad that I didn't get longtubes.

They are both good designs, and both have their advantages.

You might want to search about it and you will get more info than you could ever ask for.

Dan

 

Jet hot hooker long tubes. Good deal for a good ceramic coated header.
Picked up about 20horses over my SLP shorties.
Had a cc305 cam, roller rockers, cold air and cat back when i did the long tube switch.

you'll probably have to add a 160 stat, & do 180 fans when u go with headers. Watch out because they will touch things and burn them open, brake lines, AC lines, plug wires etc.. So keep an eye on everything, and I suggest putting something to protect your brake lines if u go long tubes, like a heat jacket for a spark plug or something.

 

I am unbiased. I have stock manifolds.

Pacesetter long tubes are the way to go. As good of quality as Hooker if not better, easier to install, better ground clearance, better plug access, and a lot less money. Don't jack up your motor and spend an extra $200 while you're at it....go with the pacesetter long tubes!!! www.redlineperformanceengineering.com

Another thing is don't do a y-pipe. There are two things our cars are missing: a good rear end and true duals. Go to a custom exhaust place and have a true dual system fabbed up or do what a lot of people are doing now and get a universal kit off of Summit. You'll be glad you made this choice when its done.

 

I would say to go ahead and get the long tubes. I have had both and like the LT's much better. Either way you decide to go get them ceramic coated.

 

longtubes are awsome, you won't regret it if you get them... I have Jet Hots and I love them...

 

I got Jet-hot longtubes and even tho they were a bitch to install they sure look pretty in there.

I do regret getting my LTs tho and wish i had gone with shorties due to the ground clearance issue.

And you really got to watch out for wires and lines.
I took alot of safety precautions, like making larger heat shields and tapeing up any wires and brake lines with DEI tape.

Also not to sure about shorties, but i did notice a loss in bottom end torque, which sucks for daily driving. But up-top it pulls like a biatch.

 

I live in California so i went with Edelbrock TES Headers, and i have to say that i am very pleased. They aren't as good as Long Tubes but they do have the clearance. They aren't the best headers, but if you live in california then you don't have a lot of choices. I picked up a lot of mid-high end power with my headers, and even a little on the low end.

If you can get a way with it, and don't have to worry about emissions, then go with a long tube set up. If your cash is limited and you live by/on some rough roads, go with a mid-length or shorty set up.

 

Don't know if you receive the visual inspection during an emissions test in Texas, but if you don't long tubes are the way to go, hands down .. if you do receive the visual inspection you can consider swapping the headers on and off for your emissions test .. either a lot of work or costsly but some speed shops will set you up with a deal if you install through them each time ... Otherwise, I'd say save the money you'd spend on shorties and buy a new ypipe w/cats that mates to the stock headers or go for a true dual setup .. but there are a ton more mods out there that will get you better gains for a far less price than shortlength headers.

 

Hey rob, I've got the LS1 Jet-Hots and my passenger side O2 sensors point slightly towards the ground when screwed in .. not level .. and know of many other LS1 Jet-Hot owners that have the same issue .. do your passenger side O2 sensors point slightly towards the ground?

 

i dont like to say which brands are better then other brands alls i can give you is personal experience...on the dyno, with stock manifolds it made 265/298 in 82 degree weather...after pacesetter longtubes and y pipe and leaving it open after the Y however this time it was dynoed in 97 degree heat it put down 291/324...27 hp/26 tq gain....take those numbers for what u will i couldnt be happier with my decision and basically any header long or short will give similar gains on a stock motor..on a side note, the pacesetter take off coating that they provide for the headers, to any that may be skeptical my headers have been on for roughly 3 months and there isnt so much as a chip or miscoloration on the primaries

 

I've got the stock manifolds right now too and I've done some extensive research into getting headers and I've decided on MAC midlengths because of the following reasons:

#1 Easy spark plug access
#2 People are reporting power gains comparable to longtubes
#3 Very good fit and easier to install than most headers

Make sure you get a Jet-Hot coating, not HTS

If you're planning on doing the work yourself, wait till you look under the hood of one of these things. Not to be ratting on you, but if you're not sure of the difference between a header and a head, you might want some buddies that are experienced with LT1s to help you, or bring it to a shop.

 

Same as everywhere else....you just have to be more selective when you go to smog your car

 

What mods are you referring to?

Dan

 

The ceramic coating usually comes off within a year or two if your lucky. Not worth the extra 200 bucks IMO.