Header Question
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Header Question
I am sure you are all sick and tired of header questions, so I'll make this brief.
What brand headers have the best fit and will last the longest while looking good on a 1990 L-98.
Best fit:
1. Installs without much of a hassle
2. No plug clearance problems
Finish:
Stainless or ceramic. Which hold up better over time, keep a newer look?
Thanks.
Thanks.
What brand headers have the best fit and will last the longest while looking good on a 1990 L-98.
Best fit:
1. Installs without much of a hassle
2. No plug clearance problems
Finish:
Stainless or ceramic. Which hold up better over time, keep a newer look?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: somerset nj
I used coated TPIS for my 89. I was able to install them w/the car on jackstands. Aside from wrestling the y-pipe and having the cats inlet expanded, it was not that bad.
Do a search and see what others had to say?
Do a search and see what others had to say?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 35,065
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Originally Posted by scott89
I used coated TPIS for my 89. I was able to install them w/the car on jackstands. Aside from wrestling the y-pipe and having the cats inlet expanded, it was not that bad.
Do a search and see what others had to say?
Do a search and see what others had to say?
How long did the install take? Three, four, ten hours? Did you take off all the air pump stuff? What's the rest of the exhaust? Straight dual or did you go into the stock cat?
I figure since you're in Somerset, and have done this once, I'll just come down to you with a six pack and headers. Whatta think? (I'm kidding I can do this myself)
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 23
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From: somerset nj
No problem with plug clearance. It did take me a few nights to complete (working a couple hours at a time). The EGR Pipe and #8 bolt had me searching for tools to make it easier but it eventually worked. All emissions, AIR pump are still working. I also replaced the cat w/a Random Tech and then to a Magnaflow Catback.
If you want help just send an email (and make it a 12 pack).
If you want help just send an email (and make it a 12 pack).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
Here is my TPIS header install photo doc & review:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...r_Install.html
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...r_Install.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,127
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
there is a header installation page on my website
my heads have a different plug angle so my answer to your question is irrelevant, but if you want to retain the brackets to the alternator you'll need to go with TPiS also, Hookers require more modification there and their Ypipe is usually a bad fit---especially for automatics
my heads have a different plug angle so my answer to your question is irrelevant, but if you want to retain the brackets to the alternator you'll need to go with TPiS also, Hookers require more modification there and their Ypipe is usually a bad fit---especially for automatics
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Originally Posted by Square
Here is my TPIS header install photo doc & review:
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...r_Install.html
http://members.***.net/effergy/vette...r_Install.html
Thanks Square, I read that before.
Is it an auto or manual? I have an auto. And you had to change the starter, is this tru with all headers or just TPIS?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
Originally Posted by vader86
there is a header installation page on my website
my heads have a different plug angle so my answer to your question is irrelevant, but if you want to retain the brackets to the alternator you'll need to go with TPiS also, Hookers require more modification there and their Ypipe is usually a bad fit---especially for automatics
my heads have a different plug angle so my answer to your question is irrelevant, but if you want to retain the brackets to the alternator you'll need to go with TPiS also, Hookers require more modification there and their Ypipe is usually a bad fit---especially for automatics
I am not too concerned about the "Y" pipe since I don't intend to use it. I was thinking about cats off the headers into an "X" pipe then into my Power Effects cat back.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,127
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You do not have to change the starter with TPiS. He and I both have 86s, and our starter is about 2x the size of what comes on '90. If you wanted to change the 84-87 starter you'd definitely have to yank that header to get it off, so thats why I changed it.
I have your starter on my car now, plenty of clearance. Theres actually a picture of that on my car's page.
I have your starter on my car now, plenty of clearance. Theres actually a picture of that on my car's page.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Democrats, doing for the country what they did for Michigan
OK, i can get the HOOKER 2149s for $500. The TPIS are $750. I expect it's worth the extra $250. Comments?
My final questions will be about the AIR system but I'll start another thread on that.
My final questions will be about the AIR system but I'll start another thread on that.
Last edited by jsup; Jul 10, 2006 at 11:12 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
Originally Posted by jsup
Thanks Square, I read that before.
Is it an auto or manual? I have an auto. And you had to change the starter, is this tru with all headers or just TPIS?
Is it an auto or manual? I have an auto. And you had to change the starter, is this tru with all headers or just TPIS?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Some where, I'm still looking. Texas
I installed some Hooker 2149 ceramic headers on my 90 vert. and had no real issues. Oh, although I did have to reverse the right motor mount bolt. Other than that it was a piece of cake. They have been on the car for a couple years and still look great, but then again I may have driven the car 100 miles since the install. 
-Dave
-Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Here's what spark plug access looks like with Hooker 2151's. All plugs are really easy to get to. Only on plugs 1 and 8 do I use a open end wrench on the end of the spark socker. Very simple. The rest are a straight shot with an extension.
I have the big early starter and an automatic on my '86. I have just enough room to slide the starter down past the header without removing or unbolting the header at all.
I have the big early starter and an automatic on my '86. I have just enough room to slide the starter down past the header without removing or unbolting the header at all.
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
Hi. I have an 85 and there were no really problems with installing. When I talked to the TPIS people they said that they had now modified the headers to get clear of the starter from the 88 and up. i thought that I should have problems with theplugs as they are straight on my car (stock cast iron heads) The change of the plugs are not really any problem any more. With the late 86 and up there should not be any problem at all changing spark plugs
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
hooker's will work fine on the 90. Since I don't have a "ÿ" pipe I can't tell you about how that will fit. Starter can be removed with header installed, and all plugs are easily accessed. Drivers side will need to have an extra bar made to support the back side of alternator.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 184
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I used Hedman, true dual 3" exhaust. No starter removing, no jacking up the engine.had them on about 5 yrs. The back bolts on each side is easier to tighten with a 1/4" socket from below. If you use the allen head bolts, shorten the wrench a bit. # 3 bolt left side use threaded bar stock & nuts that way you can use your back alt. bracket.I have Dart pro 1 angle plug heads with no issuses