I have a 95 Z28 vert and I'm trying to decide which headers system would be the best to go with for my car. I know I'm being kind of cheap here but I don't feel dropping a large amount of money for some headers that will be used on a street car (plus the fact I'm a broke college student doesn't help). The Pacesetters sit a little lower then the Macs but I have heard they are more forgiving when it comes to ground clearance when compared to Hooker Headers. The main thing that scared me away from the Hooker Headers is that I have heard so many horror stories about dragging the headers and good ground clearance for me is an important issue. Shortys are out of the question because the gains are so small, the Macs don't offer the performance of LT's but they come very close being mid length headers. Price wise the Pacesetters cost an extra 150+ when compared to the Macs. So in your opinion which system would be the best to go with?

Thanks.

 

What about emissions in your area? That could be something to think about. I'm going with mac mids myself just because when emission time rolls around i can bolt the y-pipe with cat up and the rest of the time i'm going to run a offroad pipe with cutout. Plus the mac's give just just about if not the same amount of performance as the long tube's. Better ground clearance also.

 

One good thing about living in the south is that emissions are soemthing I don't have to worry about.

 

I just installed my coated Pacesetter LT's and Y-pipe today. I am VERY happy w/ the easy install and fit of these headers. I had edelbrock shorties on the car when I bought it, they were hard to access the spark plugs and an even bigger PITA to get off. The plug access is a definate improvement over the shorties as well. I would recomend these headers to anyone.

 

They are both great headers for the price. Personally, I prefer the MAC mids, for a lot of reasons.

The ability to swap out a bolt-in cat/ORP/bullet muffler/cutout in a matter of 5 minutes is nice.
Comparable HP to LT's proven up to 400 rwhp
A little better ground clearance than LT's
1 5/8" primaries are great for the low RPM TQ
Incredible plug access
I trap 105 mph in the 1/4 mile with only MAC mids, CAI, Hooker Catback, and 1.6 RR's, my car is a fully loaded Z28 at full weight.

Downside to MAC mids:
-Not a solid flange, which means if you are going to take them off and on a lot, you could get a little warpage of the individual flanges. Hasn't happened to me though.
-sometimes the welds aren't the best. I had a leak at my collector right from the factory, which I was able to weld shut without a problem, but that shouldn't have happened.

Dan

 

Which would be easier to install, the LT's or MT's?

 

The midlengths would be a little easier to install, especially if you don't have a lift. You won't have to jack the car up so high in the front to get them in. Also, you don't have the issue of the collectors possibly hitting the floorpan, which I hear cases of with LT's. The connections with the MAC's are all ball and flare, so they bolt together instead of needing any welding. Plus you can keep your stock plug wire routing, and the plug access is better than any other header I've seen.

Now let me say, I'm not bashing LT's. They are also great headers, I'm just giving you my experience with the midlengths.

Dan