What would be a good brand of headers to get that aren't massively high priced?
So far I have been looking at these:
Borla
Flotech
Headman
Hooker

I have an L98 with an LT1 conversion

anyone help me here? Im still rather new to the whole vette world and dont know as much as I should. Tried searching but havent really got anywhere.

 

I don't know how they fit on a Vette but I put Flowtechs on my GMC. They fit perfect and made a big diffence in performance and gas mileage. Sound really good too!!

 

thats good to know because thats actually what the guy helping me work on my car said, but when i checked into it, I couldnt really find anyone that was happy with the flowtechs.

 

The 2 that I have been looking at are Melrose and Stainless Works. Are you wanting the lower end mild steel only or are you needing to get coated or stainless? The steel only are way cheaper but will wear out quicker and will allow heat to build up in the engine compartment which over time will dry out plastic and rubber parts.

 

TPIS makes the best. I have them on for about 10 years.No problems doing any kind of work.
Mitch

 

Thank you for considering Melrose, but I must make an argument for mild steel as opposed to Stainless. A ceramic coated mild steel header will retain more heat inside the header where it is needed for scavenging properties whereas Stainless radiates heat. Some people will argue that the heat dissipation properties are a benefit, but emmitted heat finds it's way directly into other parts i.e. water pump, starter, plugs and wires, and parts funneling the cool air for the intake charge. If you question this goto Jethot.com where they have studies done by independent magazines claiming 60% reduction in header surface temps. OK you say, you'll just coat your stainless headers and have the best of both worlds. Wrong, the higher the carbon content a metal contains, the more brittle and susceptible it becomes to cracking. Stainless is a wonderful metal, but is it necessary in a "street" car. Streetcars never experience the duration of temperature seen in racecars like a F1 Ferrari, or Nextel Cup, where you may have seen pictures of the headers actually glowing red. Stainless is simply overkill for the street, plus you run the risk of cracked welds, and premature engine component wear due to excessive engine bay temps. You could ceramic coat your stainless but now you are probably $600 past the cost of a non-stainless header, and if your stainless cracks you have to grind off your $300 coat job to fix it, which the manufacturer will not warranty.
Thanks Chris at Melrose

 

How are Headman headers? I went to local store (performance products) and that is all they had down there as opposed to the Flowtechs and hooker at Advanced. Those are the ones Im going to go with one of, any input on which is the best choice?

 

I have TPIS on my 89 for 5 years no problems

 

Id have no problem with TPIS bu tthe fact that I looked for some and could not find any shorties and cant find a price for them either.

 

They are not cheap and like everything these days you will likely have about a 20 day delay getting them.
You can just Google T.I.P.S. Headers and they will come up.

Be sure to put in an X pipe ! The best bang for the buck you can do.

A good exhaust system along with air filter is the first mods you want to do.
All mods should be done with an eye to the future mods you will likely want to do , It will save money in the long run.

You will likely at some point want long tubes and custom 3 in. exhaust w/a Dr. Gas X Pipe ! LOL

 

as far as exhaust the car has a borla on it already, just does not have headers and I already have the engine apart due to blowing a head gasket, so i figured Id go ahead with the headers while im there.

 

Chris, When I said the steel only wear out quicker I was talking about uncoated because of the elements and rust. I should have left the opinions to the experts I guess but I have read a lot of threads were people argue the heat exchange issue between stainless and coated. I actually wanted to go with the Melrose first buy the only quotes I got were for headers only and for headers with the whole system less mufflers. SW offered just what I was looking for.

 

I went with pacesetter shorties. Have not had them installed yet. Already have SS magnaflow, cut air lid w/ k&n, and x-pipe.

 

Mine are long tube staight into light weight cat into power effects adjustable exhaust