Im looking into getting some SLP shorties on my 96 SS. I need to get shorties because i need to pass smog in CA, and here we cant change cat location

What do you guys think of these

Is there any better equal length header for the 96 body style

Thanks,
Greg

 

For an OBD II car you probably want anything but SLP.

 

What about MAC mid lenghts?

 

MACs are great for plug access, and have a pretty good rep.

 

Why?

 

I've had the 94-95 design SLP headers on my car for almost 5 years. I've been very pleased with them. I've had ZERO problems with them. I've owned many brand headers on different vehicles over the years.

One concern is plug access which is horrible. I don't know if this would apply to the 96-97 design.

 

Definately go with the MAC's they give you the most power for a shorty/Mid-length header, have great plug access and are still emissions legal. I love mine.

 

Stay away from the SLP's. I've had nothing but trouble since installation (which was a b!!!h) I would try the BBK's or MAC's.

Scott

 

im running the 93-95 style slps and i am very happy with them, only 1 plug is hard to get too. i even have them attached to my true duals.

 

In his post he said he can't change the location of the cats due to emissions so going with 93-95 headers is out. I think your best option for dual cat headers is SLP, they're the only ones I know of that are 1 3/4".

 

The SLP's have horrid plug access. I saw absolutely no change in ET after headers. 1 3/4 tube is too big for a stock LT1. 1 5/8" as all that is required. Sticking to my guns, BBK or Mac.

Scott

 

I agree. On a lightly moded motor all that you will need is 1 5/8 primaries. You will see no difference if you go with 1 3/4. And as far as gains go. I gained 4 MPH and 4 tenths when I installed the MACs. I also removed the cat too.

 

Take a look at the OBD II SLPs, they MAY perform ok but they look really crappy on the drivers side, I dont think they are the best design to choose from, they also have a reputation for leaking.

I did "ok" with my SLPs for 94-95, but plug access sucks and even with short Autolite 104s I fried my MSD wires on a couple plugs, #5 is by far the worst, to the point I almost cannot put the boot on without backing the header off, its THAT tight. I would have to say it was maybe 1/8" from the wire boot, if you were using full size 106/107 plugs, they would be touching. I lost my MSD wires in about 2 months, 2 of them crumpling in my hand as I removed them.

500º boot protectors are worthless, they got eaten too. 1200º stuff worked great on my Taylor wires though, but those are not any kind of headers that you want to be inspecting plugs on, unless its plug #1 or something.

If you like the MAC header idea then you will have to steal an SLP OBD certification number, since the MACs are technically not CARB certified. There are NO numbers stamped or welded on the SLP headers, you would simply have to visit the CARB EO site and look for a number you could use, a smog tech is very unlikely to know one brand from another unless they own an FBody of the same generation.

 

If your gonna do shorties I would get the hooker shorties. Ive had them for a while now and they have been pretty good. plug access is a little rough but it will be with any shorties. I have also heard JBA makes a good header but I dont know anyone with them but I heard bad things about the BBK shorties.

 

I've had them on my car for a year now and while they did give me 3-4mph & .3 or so off my ET their design is horrible. Worse plug access than with stock manifolds.

I will be going to JH LTs with my new motor.