Exhaust

There is little to no difference unless you're racing and need that last 2-3hp and then you would make your own since an off the shelf part wouldn't be optimal anyway.


BTW the biggest prob with 5.0 EL shorties is they are a major PITA. If you do it, you'll never do it again.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

I agree, equal length shorties are not worth it. Installation is a PITA as well as spark plug access, and I doubt you'll notice a difference in power.

I just happened to find mine at a swap meet for $50.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

so what brand would you recommend? BBKs are $160 and Flowtech has them for $130

I went with FMS stainless shorties and a Magnaflow Cat, X-pipe, and exhaust, all stainless. You wouldn't believe the quality of the Magnaflow products.....stunning stuff and much cheaper than Bassani. Too bad it's underneath the car because it really is nice looking stuff. I had to wipe drool off of the mufflers after my buddy, who drives an immaculate 69 Camaro, looked them over prior to installation (typical chebbie guy.....no class or control over body functions). Passed emissions test with flying colors too.

Go with whatever your budget will allow, either buy them Jet Hot coated or have them coated yourself.




BTW check out Jet Hot's site as they are having a clearance sale of overstock items and may have what you need/want cheaper than someone else.

for installing headers, what sealer do you recommend i use on the gaskets?

None.

No sealer needed.

However, I do recommend you upgrade the gaskets vs. what comes with whatever headers you may buy. I've had great luck with the Mr. Gasket's Premium Ultra-Seal gaskets or the more serious copper-type gaskets.

Locking header bolts are a nice to have too, but require lots of patience to install.

I just instaled a set of mack long tube and a dr gas x pipe.Not to mention a xb3 crate motor from fms.just got it done tonight. My car is lowered quite a bit and I need to re do the suspension because its worn out and lowered 2" and I have about 3-4" of clearance on the left header to the ground If not less. That scares me very much. One thing to do before you install the headers if you go with the long tubes is remove the steering shaft before the install and replace it before fully installed. I had to jack my car up quite a bit and remove the eng. mount to get thoes suckers in. So if your planning on installing long tubes I would replace the eng. mounts while your at it. If you have any more ? fire away My nuckels are still bleeding from the install.

The smartest thing I ever did on a header install was to get grade 8 socket head (or "allen&quot[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] bolts of the right size & length, and a matching sized "ball-end" allen wrench. The socket head bolts do not require any clearance between the primary pipe and the bolt head, and the ball end allen wrench allows you to attack the bolts from odd angles. Combined with a little locktite red, my header install was a (comparative) breeze.