I have a 97 Z28 that I guess has a dual cat system (I haven't been eble to get under the car yet to look at it all). I was wondering what setup I should get with headers. I've seen most prefer the long tubes but I was wondering with their length and then the collectors will I still be able to have the cats, and if they have the O2 sensor plugs. Plus I wonder if they don't can I just use O2 simulators to compensate? I have looked mostly at the Borla cat-back as most have said it has better tone, while the loudmouth is just louder. I was wondering how the Borla matches up with the LT's and what if any modifications have to be done to allow this setup.

 

ttt

 

Go longtubes...do your homework on this..there are plenty of pics on this forum to help you make the decision..
I personally would take pacesetters over Jet-hots

This thread helped me make the decision

Also...you'll have to et your exhaust shop to custom fab-up cats into a y-pipe that they make because most y-pipes do not come with cats (a.k.a. Off road y-pipe).

I've never heard LT's + Borla on an LT1...but you have to think Longtubes change the pitch of a cars sound...and alot of people who like their loudmouth then get longtubes don't like the sound after. They say its too loud.

I have a "no muffler" custom design on my car plus i have no cats...it sounds like a loudmouth..and its loud as hell.

Personally man...i'd go with loudmouth, or magnaflow

 

Do you guys have any links or places names where i can pick up just a loudmouth pipe?

 

In Colorado here Dave, mid length headers seem to work damn good. Long tubes are somewhat overrated as well . They really arent going to give you anything more than a good midlength header. I have midlengths and made 309rwhp, and thats through a cat, with only bolt ons, no roller rockers, no electric water pump, etc.


BTW, I live near Boulder. You can come listen to the borla catback on my car if you'd like.

 

I'll have to do that some time, though I'm leaving for Detroit soon for Christmas, I'll be back the 26th.

 

you can use oxygen sensor simulators for the rear oxygen sensors, but you must get O2 bungs in the headers for the fron 2 oxygen sensors....they are vital to the car running properly. Long tubes do make more power than midlengths, but only when you have some pretty serious mods to the motor...if you're gonna go with just bolt on's...mid's are perfect....

 

What would be a good midlength header then? There are some Edelbrock headers that are supposed to fit directly in w/o any mods to stock exhaust, and have all the needed emissions fittings already on them. And what Y-pipe is required? Is it for after the cats to the rest of the exhaust system?

 

ASM has 1 3/4" primaries on their mids and MAC has 1 5/8" primaries. good power has been made with both.

as for long tubes being overrated, they're far from

 

I have jet hot long tubes and a hooker catback. I like the system, has a good idle to it, but is amazing WOT. Cant wait to see what it is like with a cutout and a cam.

 

I have LT's, dual cats and a Borla, and I think it sounds pretty awesome (like I'd say otherwise!). The big cam helps with the bark at idle and at WOT, it scares women and young children.

 

I could not agree more. seems like everytime someone asks an exhaust question someone tells them to buy long tubes. i saw the new pacesetter headers that have 3/4" primaries for all models of LT1 for under $300. thats an awesome deal, but i love my hooker mids-tubes. i reccomend a Hooker areo chamber cat-back w/o cats. almost any cheaper system you buy will come with an off road y-pipe, and o2 eliminators will work fine on your car (if it has rear sensors, im not to familiar with the obd II dual cat cars).

 

GMMG exhaust definitely!!! Any header is going to make more power, just depends where you want the power at (bottom, mid, top end).