Headers...

[jhale2004]

Are these worth it?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.a...mp;autoview=sku

 

I just dont see dropping the dollar on long tubes or those high dollar ones. You guys think these are worth the time?

[BigJayDogg3]

From what Schmid and Wingnut said, the LTs are the way to go.

[Schmids5.3l]

There are a few things to look for when buying headers.

 

Size: First is engine output, generally for these motors it's debatable. If your looking for low end torque, 1 5/8 primaries with 2.5" collectors are ideal for Idle-4500~RPM. If your hunting some mid and high end HP & TQ, 1 3/4 primaries with 3" collectors are ideal. I believe there are some 1 3/4 headers with 2.5" collectors too for trucks. You probably won't loose any TQ with the 1 3/4 headers. Collector length isn't important in your scenario, especially considering the after market for headers. If you were building an all out drag F body, then yeah.

 

Material: Stainless is always the way to go. It won't rust. It's also expensive. The other material is mild steel, which is what you linked to. Mild steel is good too, but not painted - what you linked to. If you go with a painted mild steel header, the paint will not last very long, maybe a few days, on my last truck it lasted maybe 5 days. Then it begins to rust, and this steel isn't very thick like factory exhaust manifolds. There is the strongly recommended option of Ceramic coating. Looks like chrome, and lasts a long time while protecting so your headers aren't orange tubes.

 

Shorties really don't net much power if any. IMO they aren't worth the time or money, because they really don't do anything regardless of how they are advertised. If you want power and sound, go with long tubes. If their not stainless steel make sure their ceramic coated.

 

Here's the best deal I can find, it's for trucks, 2wd and 4wd, ceramic coated long tubes, 1 3/4 primaries with 3" collectors, and the Y pipe (2nd link) bolts the headers straight into the factory or after market cat back. You won't loose any low end, but probably won't gain any. You will gain probably 15 rwhp/tq I'd guess on a stock set up, which isn't much, but long tubes are very beneficial with the more and more you build your set up.

 

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp?i...54&catid=45

 

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp?i...40&catid=45

[jhale2004]

Great advise! Thanks for the reply!

[Wingnut]

Yeah... What he said. And I wouldn't bother with shorties OR uncoated. A couple of friends and myself put some "high temp" painted LT's on a car a few weeks ago, and the paint was coming off in SHEETS within 30 seconds of starting it.

 

 

**Disclaimer** I've not messed with headers on trucks much...Due to the need for low-end torque in most "truck" applications. If you're doing a cam swap or other breathing upgrades though...They're going to be needed.