Im an exhaust rookie :-)

[sketterman]

As the title says, I dont have much experience with exhaust, mainly headers, y pipes and cats. I have full intentions of buying a set of headers for my 98 TA this summer, but anytime I buy new parts I always get as much info as I can, so I have some q's:

1. What is the difference (save for price) between shorties and long tubes?
2. If the only aftermarket exhaust part I have is a magnaflow muffler, can I
install headers and still keep the factory y pipe and factory cats?
3. I've been reading up some posts here and I keep hearing about issues with
the O2 sensors, Im hoping someone can shed some light on exactly what
the deal is with them?
4. Referring to q # 2, is it a good idea to install headers using factory y pipe
and cats? Will I rob myself of sound or performance by keeping them, or
do, say, an offroad y pipe and/or high flow cats simply give even bigger
gains?

Two things I also need to consider are purchasing parts that are 50 state legal so I can always pass emissions tests. I dont have any 'hook ups' so to speak where I could pass inspection. I also dont have a gigantic wallet, so whats a good..not necessarily 'budget' header, but ones that are good bang for the buck? I read a lot of posts about Pacesetters, but they usually are accompanied by "$500-$600", which really is out of my range unfortunately. Are there decent headers for LS1's by Hooker or Headman? Thanks!

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

You're in cali so the only smog legal headers are shorties...which you can keep the stock cats and y-pipe for. You can get coated pacesetter shorties from summit and thunderracing for $429(don't buy them from pacesetter directly, they want 650 for them). I'm in cali also and am going with coated shorties and random tech y-pipe with high-flow cats from thunderracing.com

Long tubes have the best power gain but you can't use your stock y-pipe or cats,longs move the cats way back which isn't smog legal...and depending on the brand there can be clearance issues. If smog isn't a issue then definatly get longs

EDIT: The issues with the o2's are with long tubes...you need o2 extensions and simms if you don't have cats...or just tune the codes out. Shorties don't have o2 issues that I know of...but they also don't have anywhere near the gains either.

A off road y-pipe won't have cats..that's why it's off road....that's what i've always thought anyway. I would get high-flow cats but they are expensive...even the stock replacements are expensive.

[sketterman]

Okay I see. So I'll go with shorties, any idea what kinda gains they make, if I get pacesetter? Also, even if the gains arent as big, is the sound still as good as long tubes? If not, how much better over factory manifolds is the sound?

[SeVeReDiStOrTiOn]

In 00 gm redesigned the exhaust manifolds to flow better....but you have a 98 so if you get shorties you'll have a better gain then a 00-02 would. As far as sound...it might be a little louder with shorties but not much...longs are definatly louder though. If you're looking for loud or a better tone...change your catback system.