W/ a Cam, could i substitute CO's for headers?

**justinmc978** · 02-01-2010, 10:49 AM

mods feel free to move this wherever it need to go..

i'm getting a cam and i'm wondering if it would be sufficient to run e-cutouts as a replacement for headers,

not crazy about the cheap ebay headers because of the fitment issues, and i dont want to spend 6, 7, 800 dollars anyways for a good set of headers+ORY, a cam swap is expensive enough.

would ya'll recomend this?

inb4 "get headers AND a cutout"

**Spaz** · 02-01-2010, 11:00 AM

nope... just get a set of e-bay headers (under $200.00) and then put the e-cut out's on...

**Spaz** · 02-01-2010, 11:01 AM

oh... and there isn't any fitment issues wit the e-bay headers... i have them...

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 11:02 AM

I thought you had the SLP Performance Pack or something, I think they come with headers. What cam are you getting? I would be more worried about upgrading springs in the heads. Also, when my stepdad was poor and built the 383 Stroker motor, he ran full stock exhaust...

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 11:07 AM

Also, probably would be very helpful to have Long Tubes, but knowing his car... I would feel find running stock exhaust for a while.

**justinmc978** · 02-01-2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by SHines-IT

I thought you had the SLP Performance Pack or something, I think they come with headers. What cam are you getting? I would be more worried about upgrading springs in the heads. Also, when my stepdad was poor and built the 383 Stroker motor, he ran full stock exhaust...

of course w/ a cam comes all the extra goodies too, oil pump, springs yadda yadda, that why i'm looking to save

slp 350 pac doesnt have headers, 400 does, and thank god slp headers suck too,

**justinmc978** · 02-01-2010, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

oh... and there isn't any fitment issues wit the e-bay headers... i have them...

i've heard alot of people have fitment issues with the k member, not really looking forward to having to modify and fabricate

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

of course w/ a cam comes all the extra goodies too, oil pump, springs yadda yadda, that why i'm looking to save

slp 350 pac doesnt have headers, 400 does, and thank god slp headers suck too,

Yes they do, I hated mine... But can't complain, came with the car. Hanged so damn low, was not funny.

**Hi-Po** · 02-01-2010, 11:21 AM

Sometimes you have to save more money, or do it in stages. Adding a cam with stock manifolds is backwards to me. Especially when emissions is not a concern. I still find myself going to this page to compare pricing when trying to help people out with headers. http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126089 TSP headers are a nice piece at a decent price. The Ebay Options have been getting good reviews, and LPP has started making headers again for LSx's. If you don't have the money for both upgrades, save more or do it in stages. Since your going to need a tune after the cam swap, it would be silly to do the cam first... pay for a tune and then turn around a month later to install headers. Then need another tune to finally take advantage of what a aftermarket cam gives. No reason to pay for a tune twice.

A cutout IMO, is a sound/noise modification if your exhaust is up to par. I gained almost nothing with mine open, but my exhaust is a very free flowing design. S/C engines can gain massive amounts of power from a cutout, but that engine loves exhaust. A cutout is not a must.

**Spaz** · 02-01-2010, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

i've heard alot of people have fitment issues with the k member, not really looking forward to having to modify and fabricate

nope... i'm telling you from personal experience...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-99...Q5fAccessories

these headers are the ones i have... the only problems with them is the passenger side 02 bung may be a little to low if you're in a lowered car... other problem is the ERG pipe if you don't have the EGR stuff hooked up... two very easy fixes... can't beat that price either...

**Mr. Luos** · 02-01-2010, 11:33 AM

Short answer....no.

Do the exhaust before getting into the motor. Do it in correct stages.
Unless you plan on NEVER getting headers....

I also have heard of the fitment issues with the EGay headers...
Love my Kooks, but those are the expensive ones. After 5 years of being on the car, they still look in great shape. The SLP piles of shit I had were rusted out after 1 year.
Pacesetter's are great and not too expensive.

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Short answer....no.

Do the exhaust before getting into the motor. Do it in correct stages.
Unless you plan on NEVER getting headers....

I also have heard of the fitment issues with the EGay headers...
Love my Kooks, but those are the expensive ones. After 5 years of being on the car, they still look in great shape. The SLP piles of shit I had were rusted out after 1 year.
Pacesetter's are great and not too expensive.

Mine are not rusted, just banged along the bottom. Going on the 01 Firebird, with the transplant.

**Spaz** · 02-01-2010, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

Short answer....no.

Do the exhaust before getting into the motor. Do it in correct stages.
Unless you plan on NEVER getting headers....

I also have heard of the fitment issues with the EGay headers...
Love my Kooks, but those are the expensive ones. After 5 years of being on the car, they still look in great shape. The SLP piles of shit I had were rusted out after 1 year.
Pacesetter's are great and not too expensive.

there is a shit ton of different ones on egay... i got ones that had no trouble going in...

but like any product out there you'll hear something bad about them before you hear the good...

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

there is a shit ton of different ones on egay... i got ones that had no trouble going in...

but like any product out there you'll hear something bad about them before you hear the good...

True that

**Mr. Luos** · 02-01-2010, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

there is a shit ton of different ones on egay... i got ones that had no trouble going in...

but like any product out there you'll hear something bad about them before you hear the good...

Very true.
Bad stories are always easier to find than the good ones.

I have heard plenty about several different products (from all kinds of different companies...sponsors included)...and it is almost ALWAYS bad. People rarely give thumbs up to companies but will not hesitate to smear them if there is a problem.

**justinmc978** · 02-01-2010, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

other problem is the ERG pipe if you don't have the EGR stuff hooked up...

i do have EGR, so are you saying it will be a problem or it wont?

**goof4080** · 02-01-2010, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

i do have EGR, so are you saying it will be a problem or it wont?

justin, looks like we're at the same point in mods for our 98's. i've got the volant cai and slp powerflo on there now. As soon as spring breaks i'm going with pacesetter lt's and a Y (who's y, i don't know yet). It'll be close to $400 after getting 02 extensions, plugs, etc. Then do the cam, then get the tune. but plan to do all within the year or 2 that your emissions requires then u can remove and tune out the rear o2's, egr, air, and skip shift....

**Smokaholik** · 02-01-2010, 06:09 PM

I agree with Hi-Po sounds like your going backwards. Definitely get headers before your cam or you wont be seeing your cams true potential. Just find some cheap used ones on another forum. oh and get rid of that egr, it'll give you some weight reduction.

**Spaz** · 02-01-2010, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by justinmc978

i do have EGR, so are you saying it will be a problem or it wont?

won't be a problem... but your best bet would be to have the egr deleted via PCM break off the EGR tube on the header and weld a patch over it then get a LS6 intake... that with a cat back and above mods i've seen our cars make 350 rwhp with a dyno tune (on a mustang dyno)...

**justinmc978** · 02-01-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Smokaholik

I agree with Hi-Po sounds like your going backwards. Definitely get headers before your cam or you wont be seeing your cams true potential. Just find some cheap used ones on another forum. oh and get rid of that egr, it'll give you some weight reduction.

i'm not going backwards, i would just be buying everything at once, so i'm making a list