as the topic states, which will give the best gains for cammed car? I know LT's are best but i don't know of any that will pass sooo, what are my other options? thanks. also don't have $700's to spend.

 

what about midlengths, are there any that are legal?

 

I've got JBAs with a metal plate stamped with the CARB right on them. This didn't help when I once took them to a Shell gas station for smog and they refused stating that they had no way of checking whether CARB numbers are valid or not. I then told them they were full of it and that they shouldn't be in business if they didn't have the tools. I then took it over to a Chevron station where the technician pointed out, "You've got headers." "Yeah," I replied apprehensively. After what seems liked a long pause he said, "Cool! How much?".
The ceramic coated JBAs have held up really well for over 7 years now. The only pain was finding the right collector gaskets (solid copper). Also, the original copper mesh exhaust gaskets gave up after four years and Ive replaced them is the aluminum with graphite inserts kind which work really well.

 

I just went thru this myself, the decision I came to was the SLP 1-3/4" ceramic coated headers. You may have to request they send you the stickers (2 special holographic, 1 for fan shroud 1 for glove box)

To be 100% legal you need a CARB EO number for those parts on your car. Many shorties have all of the hookups and will pass sniffer and casual inspection but if a inspector insist then you will have to show them the CARB EO #.

SLP's 1-3/4" have CARB EO#
Arizona Speed & Marines don't have an EO#
Jet Hots, PaceSetters 1-5/8" application filed but about a month away??
Hookers 1-5/8" Have CARB EO#
Edelbrocks 1-5/8" Have CARB EO#
MAC's don't mention any CARB #s in their catalog

 

As far as I know MACs do not have a CARB E. O. number. Edelbrock, Hooker and SLP shorties do.

 

which of the carb legal have the best plug access?

 

Go with the SLP's they will offer the best gains and of the ones listed with carb #'s i have heard bad things about all of them when it comes to plug access. I have SLP's and love them.

 

SLP's are CARB legal, as for plug access they are okay. I can change my plugs and wires in about 3-4 hours. I also got mine ceramic coated. For HP I really don't know?? the numbers in my sig were before I did my exhaust, but I can say that with the headers and a "off-road" pipe and my flowmaster cat-back I get alot of people who like the sound of the car. It has the cool blower whine and old school rumble all together. My three year old daughter loves the sound of it and giggles and laughs when I rev it in the driveway.

 

Edelbrock shorties are CARB legal...

 

I have JBA's and I really enjoy them. The plug access is pretty good, I changed my spark plugs all from the top without removing anything. Also taking into account that I have some big hands and arms.

 

I didn't know the JBAs were CARB legal... that's very good news.