Instead of going with LT's and true duals, i will most likly go with one of these 2 headers, to a Hooker Catback. Just some questions. I know the AS&M's are more of a mid length header whereas the Mac's are shorties. How much more of a gain will i see with the AS&M's, and is it worth the extra money? Are the AS&M's much better quality than the Mac's?

 

I have both of those headers.

First, the MAC's are a mid-length design like the ASM's.

As for build quality, the ASM's are top notch, no questions asked.

Which header you go with is really going to depend on your goals with the car, now and down the road. With the ASM's and a full exhaust, my black car was trapping a consistent 106.8 in the 1/4 mile. I can't vouch for the Mac's on a bolt on car because I never experienced that.

What I will say though, is that if you plan on doing a larger head/cam package (I.E. into the 400's), the Mac's may become a restriction due to the 1 5/8" primaries vs. the ASM's 1 3/4" primaries.

Are the ASM's worth it?? Every penny. So are the Mac's. If you're planning the head/cam package, I'd say go with the ASM's. If you're just going to keep it light, the Mac's should suit you fine.

 

I have the RK Sport knock-off's of the AS&M's. Same design, quality of the welds is nicer on AS&M's, coating is too. But for power, worth the $, etc, I'd feel comfortable recommending the AS&M's. The design has done great by me.

BUT - Big power has been made with the MAC's. I remember someone on Ai's site with 'em that put down over 400 with heads & cam. Don't forget the plug access too, it's supposed to be the best.

So which one to go with?

 

I have the RKSports. The plug access on #5 and #6 is atrocious. I've been looking at the MACs because the plug access on them is incredible. Power with the both will be good, but the ASMs will support more.

 

For my car i won't be doing any heads/cam packages in the future. My engine mods will consist of Intake, Headers, Exhaust, 1.7 RR's, and LT4 Valve Springs. Then that will be it for the engine.

 

For that level, MACs all the way. I'd do it for the plug access alone.

 

If you can get under the car you should have a pretty easy time getting to them.

 

I agree, you really can't go wrong with either, but if you know for sure you're not going to haywire with mods, the MAC's would seem the most appropriate.

 

I wish it had been that easy. The problem was that I couldn't get a tool on them very easily. I could touch the plug, but getting a socket with the right extension was a pain. SERIOUSLY more difficult than it should be. #6 was the worst. I tried from every angle. I think it would be better with a k-member.

 

I use a standard spark plug socket, but instead of using a ratchet on it I use a 3/4" wrench on the hex end of the spark plug socket. Works like a charm, from above and below where you can't get a ratchet on the socket. #6 from below especially.