Buying headers is tough, pls help.

I never thought purchasing headers could be so stressful... So I've done my research, listened to ls1sounds.com, read reviews, etc. I'm still not convinced what I really should do.

Right now I'm thinking SLP is the way to go. Below are the prices I looked up trying to research everything thoroughly. I didn't research Kooks because I want to retain my AIR setup and heard that their install was a huge pain in the ass.

part,AmericanRacing,QTP,SLP,PaceSet,OBX


headers,$1,149.00,$702.00,$849.00,$420.00,$527.00
ypipe,$0.00,$335.00,$0.00,$145.00,$0.00
O2 ext,$30.00,$30.00,$0.00,$30.00,$30.00
misc HW,$0.00,$50.00,$123.00,$50.00,$0.00
fab work,$0.00,$0.00,$0.00,$150.00,$150.00
Wideband,$289.00,$289.00,$289.00,$289.00,$289.00

Totals,$1,468.00,$1,406.00,$1,261.00,$1,084.00,$99 6.00


So if you had ~$1200-1500 for exhaust AND wideband setup... which would you do?

Thx,
-Eagle

I would avoid the SLP headers like the plague, fitment and clearance issues are both awful.

Ok, well scratch that then... Damn. Any opinion on the other choices? ARH was my 2nd choice.

-Eagle

I've never heard anything bad about QTP headers. If you have the money that's probably the direction I would go although the pics of the obx headers I saw looked great. Gnctry bought a set with cats and everything, dirt cheap compared to most ss systems. If I were buying I would research the hell outta the obx headers before doing anything.

I'm very happy with my Pacesetters. They have no clearance issues (I'm dropping the car soon), they slip right in, and they don't look horrible.

I bought Hooker LT ceramics with ORY and fit is great. You don't need the ceramic ORY, the aluminized ORY they sell still looks great 15 months later.

ceramic pacesetters are the best bang for your buck. Great fittment and no ground clearance issues. Buy them and save your money for a new cam!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Y2KPewterSS

I would avoid the SLP headers like the plague, fitment and clearance issues are both awful.

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+1 absolutely horible!!

i have the slp on mine.. wish i would have known about the clearance b4 i got them.. its horrible

Copy that, looks like SLP's headers are off the list!

Pacesetters seem like the common theme across all the boards. I'm wondering if there is any reason to buy into something better like the American Racing Headers? Additional performance gains maybe?

I despise ugly looking headers... always thought stainless was the answer until someone told me they eventually get "brittle" - but I'm not sure what that means in terms of life span. My car is always garaged, never sees anything other than a sunny day... so I'm thinking the elements won't have much of an impact here.

Is the armor coat really enough to stop corrosion over time?

Thx,
-Dan

i have been researching for my lt1 and the pacesetters look the best for it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eagle

Copy that, looks like SLP's headers are off the list!

Pacesetters seem like the common theme across all the boards. I'm wondering if there is any reason to buy into something better like the American Racing Headers? Additional performance gains maybe?

I despise ugly looking headers... always thought stainless was the answer until someone told me they eventually get "brittle" - but I'm not sure what that means in terms of life span. My car is always garaged, never sees anything other than a sunny day... so I'm thinking the elements won't have much of an impact here.

Is the armor coat really enough to stop corrosion over time?

Thx,
-Dan

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I've never heard of stainless getting "brittle". It can still corrode, but thats mostly 409 stainless, which is what the SLP headers are made from. Its the cheapest, and it ends up rusting eventually. The headers I bought are made from 321 stainless, which is aircraft grade and will never rust.

Wes-

Who uses 321 stainless in their headers?

-Dan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eagle

Wes-

Who uses 321 stainless in their headers?

-Dan

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XS/SS Autochrome. They are the ones that are sold on eBay. They are great headers, tucked up perfectly. Only reported issue with them is the driver's side header collector is angled up towards the floor slightly, causing tight fitment of the y-pipe, which can be fixed by having the y-pipe bent down slightly. I had custom true dual exhaust intalled instread of the y-pipe though, so it wasn't an issue.

Obx!

ARH - As far as a complete stainless package, this seems to be the way to go. Excellent fitment and a y-pipe that's second-to-none. This is the package I'm going with. For $1150 shipped to your door, that would leave you with ~$350 for your wideband. :cheers:

XS Stainless/ SS Autochrome headers. For the headers and Y shipped I paid less than the P/S's cost without a Y. And they are awesome.

Hey Dan, wheres the opion for Dynatechs man? 304 stainless isnt that bad lol

LOL, heya Joe! Dynatech's are $1500 for the setup... no room for the wideband in that budget!

Anyone have a link for the autochrome setup?