I posted this before but the subject was bad so i changed it.

I'm trying to decide on which headers to go with. It basically between FLP, or AS&M. I live in cali btw, i know neither are emissions legal but all i gotta do is pass the sniffer. I was about to purchase the FLP's but then i did some searching and i hear a lot of problems with them. For instance how there coating sucks, plug access is horrible, they hit under the car, and if you have a problem with anything their customer service sucks. I can deal with the price because it comes with everything i need. I also like it because of how you can just switch out the orps, with the cats really easy. So that the bad and good for those. As for the AS&M headers i hear that they are very good mid-length headers, that can handle a lot of hp. But they are pretty pricey for some mids. Also in order for me to use them on my 96 i would have to either do a custom setup using a single cat. I don't even know if that would pass the sniffer test. Or i would have to buy the random tech dual cat y-pipe which would run me around 1500 which is more then the flp's. How is the coating, and the install with the as&m's. I haven't heard as many bad things with the as&m headers compared to the flp's. If anybody has any additional info to help me make a decision i would really appreciate it. Thanks, and sorry for the long post.

 

i guess changing to subject didn't help. Anybody?

 

Well if you do like the FLP's then get them. I had the issues that seem to follow the FLP's but they are easily resolved. My coating is fine & they sound awsome with the cats ON!!! The plug access it tight & I strongly recomend using ARP 3/8 head header bolts for easier installation. As far as plug access I am running an Accel Shortie plug. It really helped a lot with access. However when I need to get to the plugs I spend the extra time to loosen the headers for easier access. With everything aftermarket for our cars you will alway have some issues with fitment. Our cars are not designed to use a lot of aftermarket stuff out there but we always make it work.

Good luck to you...

 

Well I like my AS&Ms a lot but don't get them for easy plug access. Changing plugs with these headers is a bear.

 

Have you considered the TPIS long tubes? They make a 2 cat Y-pipe for them. Ground Clearance is better than the FLPs too.

 

no, i haven't looked at the tpis long tubes. I didn't know they made a 2 cat y pipe. Do you have a link to a place that sells them like that. I looked on thunderracing i believe and they only say that they give around 20 hp and 20 tq. That is about 10 lower then other long tubes i believe. That was themselves quoting that also. Does anybody have any dyno results with these headers.

 

Have you looked into getting the AS&M package that takes your two cat setup and makes it a one cat setup? Its like 1100 but you get the headers, the y-pipe and a new high flow cat. I havent done this, but i am thinking about doing this next summer when i have more money.

 

Yeah i was looking at that. But i don't know if that will pass the sniffer test

 

By pass the sniffer you just mean the actual cleanliness and not the visual test that goes along with it? As long as you have a good cat and not a specifically bad tune you should pass with one cat. The dual cats aren't neccessarly any cleaner, they were added to be less restrictive. One highflow or a flanged ORP setup should be less restrictive than two stock cats. Your still an otherwise stock motor, right, so it shouldn't be an issue.

 

I've had FLP's for 2 years now and have had every problem you mentioned, along with a few other problems. It's a pretty good deal considering what you get for $1100, but considering all the problems I'd think twice. I can say now that I've got all the kinks worked out, I like the header kit a lot more, but still wish I would have gone with Hooker long tubes (I know those won't work for you though) or AS&M to save some $$$.

 

Well if i get the as&m's and do the single cat conversion what do i do with my o2's? How does all that work?

 

You get O2 sims for the rear sensors just as if you were installing hooker long tubes. The Rear O2's don't actually effect performance, just monitor the efficiency of the cats.

 

Does the single cat setup have a place for the front o2's?

 

Yep.