I never thought I'd say this but maybe I'm getting to that age. Cars are money pits end of story.

I worry that if you take this money and sink it into a set of headers and accessories that if there is other stuff that needs to be put on as well, your budget will be gone. Headers can be found cheap but usually there are other things you want to do right away while you have the manifolds off. For example, new plugs, plug wires (OVC is my suggestion) possibly new T-stat, plug wire sleeves, and a computer tune to just name a few.

I just don't want to see you get burned on it with that small of a budget, especially if something goes wrong and you with out a car now cause you don't have the money to fix it.

I'm not telling you to not do it I’m just saying sit back plan everything out and look at what you have to work with.

~Jim~

 

You have to be careful. $500 won't go very far if something goes wrong. I got my mids cheap for $250; however, I coulnd get both o2's out of the old manifolds. You know what that means??? Having to spend over $100 on a set of heated o2's. That's just one example. You will want to do you plugs & wires after you get the manifols off and that will run $60-$70 once you get wireties and all that. Then you'll probably burn a wire or two on the headers which means you'll have to buy new wires which will cost you another $30-$40. Plus if you get uncoated headers cheaped (cuz coated ones are $$$) you'kk have to buy 3-4 can hi-temp paint.... well I think I've made my point.

I'm only 20 and I've been through 3 f-bodys costing me over $10K in mods easily and I'm telling you don't get in over your head. If you want to do intake and a catback exhaust and tune fine. But anything over that on the power side will take more $$$and a lot of time lower you MPG and reliability (blown header gaskets, bolt coming out, ect... Do some poly bushings for front/rear sway bar/ panhard rod and call it a day. Maybe shocks unless your car already has the F41 "Frim ride handling" then I wouldn't spend the $$$.

Here's an idea: Put the $500 in a savings account so you can have if when your car need repair. My 5-6 shift fork broke (wore out) on my M6 and it cost me $800 to get it fixed! And that's a "cash only" price.

 

hmm. my plugs and wires are relatively new. I dont want to change those. I just want to put some new headers in there. will they hook up to the stock exhaust after that and will I need gaskets?

 

New Car: 1995 Camaro Z28 M6 T-Top-Mystic Teal!

sounds exactly like my car other than it being a 94. only difference being I have RK sport ground effects and a differen't hood

 

A muffler shop can hook up any header to your existing exhaust, yes.

Do you have a garage and ramps and jacks and jack stands? Have you any installed headers before? You will be hard pressed to find a shop that will do it and if they do they will charge $60 p/hr and its about a 7-8 hr shop jobs +parts.

If you can install them I would get mids. They are easier to install. I know by experience. Headers and a good tune are good for about 40 RWHP I would say. Save the rest... for repairs

 

Youre gonna need help attatching your stock cat to the y pipe from an exhaust shop, and youll need new exhaust gaskets. A lot of people end up running aftermaket cats. You'll also want some nice header bolts and depending on what headers you run you may end up needing 02 extensions. Youre lookin at spending your whole budget here.

After thinking it over, I say keep saving your money. When youve saved more, then start modding. Remember, your car is over 10 years old and things are going to start breaking/wearing out. Shocks, switches, stereo speakers, window motors, clutch are all going to need replacement sooner than later if they havent had it already.

If $500 is all you have to invest in your car, I'd really consider holding on to it. It already sounds like your car has a few mods both to the motor and visually. In due time you'll have more money and be able to really build the car the way you'd like it.

 

Installing headers is a chore but not terrible. Just make sure you have the proper tools and someone with some serious strength to break the rusted collector bolts loose. Soak them with break free for a few days before the install. Headers and maybe a tune should do you good to keep you well within your spending limits.

 

having someone install headers will be $500 alone......

I am 17 also.....i suggest u get a job lol and start working your a$$ off....i work 30 hours a week and i am in high school just to pay for my goodies.....i just purchused a used true dual system for $150 and i am going to purchuse pacesetter coated longtubes for $390 and im gonna spend all winter installing them.

I suggest longtube headers for ur first "big mod" that is what i am doing. I am doing it because even in the long run u will always need longtubes...they free up ur exhaust.....always think in the long run.... and always think SAFE. dont get anything that will put an extreme amount of stress on ur engine, tranny, or rear end because if broken u wont be able to afford to replace them. go slow and mod slowly and smart.....headers r a good idea....but i wouldn't jump all over the firsts et u see forsale shop around....find ur fav and best price...and also save up a lil more money "just in case" something dosent go as planned.... good luck and please post ur decisions in the future and ur finished work! so other newbs like us can get more ideas

 

Do you have a job? (RKPsk8er)

I work 50 hrs a week and am in college full time and I still run out of money before I run out of month and I don't have mortgage or a car note! Only thing I own is my Camaro. Where does it all go I wonder???

 

yeah I have a job. I pay for some of my insurance. 100 a month for my car. 70 for my dirtbike and 40 for my cell. thats my monthly output. I make about 400 or so a month. sometimes more. I wont be paying for installs. I have auto tech all year at school. I can get rides for a week if need be. in auto, I have access to lifts, people that can weld, lots of tools, and lots of advice. I'll let ya'll know what I decide to do.
so far I've decided I need:
the headers
gaskets for ^
possibly some piping for the hookup

is it necessary to get it tuned after headers?

 

Not necessary but it is highly recommended. Even a stock car can make significant gains from a tune.

 

Add some quality header bolts to that list.

 

So how much will it cost you to get the headers put on at your auto shop?

Oh yes, a tune is very necessary. It will ran way to rich if you don't get it tuned.

 

A tune isn't a necessity, but will add some extra power. Definitely a good band for the buck mod along with the headers.

 

When ya'll mean tune, do you mean like a Dyno-Tune or like one of those Jetchip things?