Headers....or Roller Rockers???

TheZaZ · March 16, 2002

Thinking about grabbing a set of headers or a set of roller rockers for my 93 Gmc Yukon.

Now, which would you guys suggest is going to make the most noticeable difference?

Thanks for any and all info.

WEFs99 · March 16, 2002

My vote would be headers with high flow cats.

95Yukon · March 17, 2002

For more power, headers would probably be the way to go. Typically, headers will give you 15-20 hp, while roller rockers will reduce friction and heat, but only give you 8-10 hp more. Both will help with fuel economy as well. Less friction and wear on the valvetrain for the rollers, and more efficient exhaust flow with the headers.

TheZaZ · March 17, 2002

Alright cool. Thanks!

By the way, "95Yukon"........your yukon is BADAZZ. Just awesome.

Here a link to some pics of mine if anyones wants to check it out. It looks a little different now, done some other stuff since I took those pics.

http://www.sounddomain.com/member_....0&val=1

TheZaZ · March 17, 2002

I also forgot to add, I was referring to roller rockers with higher ratio then I have now. 1.5 to 1.6

Still go with headers? or no?

95Yukon · March 17, 2002

Thanks for the kudos - I checked out your page too and that is a sweet 2 door. I am the second owner of mine as well, and it also was babied, garaged and in showroom condition when I bought it. I figure with the money saved from getting it second hand, there's more cash for mods, and no worries about warranties by making changes to it.

As far as the headers and rockers, it is probably a trade-off, but for the dollars spent and time on each one I think the headers would be the way to go. Heck, do both!

TheZaZ · March 26, 2002

So has anyone thrown headers on their stock TBI 350?.....What kinda difference did it make? Pretty noticeable or no?

Just curious, headers for my truck are finally back in stock, so I think im gonna grab them.

americanmuscleman · March 26, 2002

I have the JBA shorties on my TBI 350. I would put headers on before putting roller rockers on also. I put headers on with different heads and cam and everything else, so I don't know what you would gain with just headers alone, but I bet it will be more than with 1.6 ratio roller rockers. The factory exhaust manifold don't appear to flow well. I still have my catalytic converter and factory Y-pipe. I think for the 93' trucks you can buy a mandrel bent Y-pipe with the headers. I would definitely do that if its an option.

My votes for the headers

gandolphxx · March 27, 2002

I would definitely go for headers first - less hassle, better gain - you can always tear apart the engine later.

TheZaZ · March 27, 2002

Yea, I grabbed some headers. They will be here tomorrow, took my stock manifolds off. Yep, they do look pretty restrictive........Im also going to get a high flow cat soon.

americanmuscleman · March 27, 2002

Sounds good! What headers did you go with? The only brands I've seen are JBA, AS&M, and Edelbrock.

I would also get some Felpro gaskets and you will need header bolts. I personally like the 6pt or 12pt ARP bolts. The Stage 8 ones are nice, but can be a pain to work with.

Good luck!

TheZaZ · March 28, 2002

I actually found some made by Flowtech....not the top of the line brand, but they do the job! Got the whole kit, all the bolts, gaskets and stuff.

They look pretty good to me, go them installed tonight. Havent had a good chance to try them out yet, but exaust is louder and sounds somewhat different, revs more freely now. All in all, they made a pretty good difference!

Seems to be faster but I wont know exactly by how much till I time it. (LOL, its not fast anyway, but I just love upgrading it, lots of fun)

americanmuscleman · March 28, 2002

I actually found some made by Flowtech....not the top of the line brand, but they do the job! Got the whole kit, all the bolts, gaskets and stuff.

They look pretty good to me, go them installed tonight. Havent had a good chance to try them out yet, but exaust is louder and sounds somewhat different, revs more freely now. All in all, they made a pretty good difference!

Seems to be faster but I wont know exactly by how much till I time it. (LOL, its not fast anyway, but I just love upgrading it, lots of fun)

I second that its hard to make these things fast.

Sounds good on the headers! If you get any header leaks, try using Permatex Ultra Copper on the header gaskets. I've never had a leak using that stuff.