Hey guys, I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before, but I am new to working on 4th Gen Camaros and I do have some questions regarding headers. I recently acquired a 1997 Camaro Z28 (A4, 3.73) with 50k miles from a friend of mine. It already has an K&N Filtercharger, a Flowmaster American Thunder catback system, and a 160deg Powerstat. The next upgrade I plan on making is to replace the stock exhaust manifolds with something that flows a bit better . I have been researching various headers and have come to the decision that I don't want longtubes since this will be a street driven car (and possibly lowered in the future) and am thinking about purchasing Arizona Speed and Marine headers for the LT1. All I see for sale however are headers for single cat LT1's and my '97 Z is a dual cat car, so I was wondering if AS&M carry a header for my car. Also, what other components would I need to install and use the headers efficently (i.e. y-pipe) and what are the best choices for my application when it comes to these secondary exhaust components. Another question I have is whether I should even go with the AS&M's at all (or in another scenario in which I could not use the headers due to them not having a compatible manifold) what would be a good alternative?

 

AS&M used to make a dual-cat header for the 96-97 models, but they had so many problems with excessive heat and melting engine compartment components that they stopped making it. If you want AS&M's, you will have to convert to a single-cat exhaust. Whether you can do that easilly depends to some extent on where you live and what the emissions inspection requirements are.

The AS&M is an excellent header... I bought mine used off a car that made over 850(flywheel)HP with them. I figured that with my nitrous engine only making 800HP, they should be adequate .

I think that the only "dual-cat" headers available may be the SLP's, and possible some JBA's . And they aren't all that great, because to be emissions legal, they have to keep the drivers side cat up in its original position, and that forces them to wrap the primaries up and over the valve covers.

 

Mac also makes a dual cat header. I believe they come with a y pipe with or without cats.

 

Thanks alot for the reply, that's exactly what I was looking for...

I live in South Florida and I've never gone through a smog test, visual or otherwise so it shouldn't be a prob to run on one cat. The other issue is how do I convert to a single cat and how hard it will be to do- financially and laborwise.

 

I dont remember who makes it, but someone makes a dual cat y-pipe that fits up to the 93-95 style AS&M headers, works very well, but isnt cheap... that or as was said above convert to single cat.

<---happy AS&M owner

 

Dual cat AS&M headers are a total fuggin bitch. With that said I've got a pair for sale for cheap.

 

Random Technologies is who you're thinking of.

As for the ASM headers, it's been said that the single cat design is actually a better and more efficient design than the dual cat design. Probably just a bunch of malarky though. If you don't have to go through the smog testing, just grab the single cat headers and a set of rear O2 simms and you'll be fine.

 

lol I wouldn't say that it's a bunch of malarky. Have you SEEN the dual cat headers? Click my cardomain link and scroll towards the bottom. I've got pacesetter LTs on now though.

 

Ditto.... anyone who make the "malarky" statement hasn't actually seen a set of them. A friend of mine with a 97 bought a set of the AS&M dual-cat headers used. They came in the box with a ton of heat blanket, and clips for attaching it to the firewall. We went in 1/2's and bought another large roll of heat blanket. After looking at the box, he took the car to Mufflex and let them install the headers, and all the heat shielding. Denny at Mufflex said it was unquestionably the most difficult header install he had ever seen.

After the install, the car did not make impressive numbers. When the plastic handle melted off the oil dipstick, and other underhood parts started melting, he pulled the headers out and installed a set of the SLP extrude honed stock manifolds, and made more power than he did with the AS&M's.

Hope I didn't kill a "sale".....

 

The install for mine actually would have been easy if I would have just jacked the motor. I actually didn't melt anything underhood. They definetely pulled well up top compared to stock manifolds.

lol Don't worry about the sale. I hope somebody will buy them for just $100. They're taking up space in my garage.

 

What is required to convert my car to single cat, and where can I get these parts for conversion? Also, if I go to single cat, would it be a good idea to replace the stock cat?

 

Supporting advertisers like Thunder Racing sell a "package" with the AS&M single-cat headers, and a dual-cat y-pipe.

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...&vid=4&pcid=52

Be prepared for "sticker shock".

 

According to some other members on the board, it would not be a good idea to run single cat AS&M's through dual cats....So thats why I want to convert to a single cat setup so I can run the headers.
Besides....
99-HDRPKG-SD Random Tech Stainless Steel DualCat Y-Pipe, Arizona Speed & Marine 1-3/4" Headers, Full Accessory Package for 1996-1997 model cars $1459.00
There's gotta be a better bang for the buck high performance header out there now If not, tell me if you think this purchase is really worth it.

 

Bang for the buck? Pacesetter LTs, hands down.

 

Would it be cheaper/and or more effective to just buy the AS&M headers for single cat cars and fab up a true dual exhaust sys. with an X pipe for my car rather than buying the "package" with the dual cat Y?