READ THE 2nd POST IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME:

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So I saw the group buy from Exotic muscle and figured I was going to buy headers sometime or another so why not bite the bullet now?

My only current mod is a Corsa cat-back exhaust system. I'm now rebuilding my 700R4 and making it VERY stout thanks to Dana at ProBuilt and the help of forum members. In the future, as I have neither need nor desire to sell my car, I anticipate further modifications and am considering an intake change to Miniram or Superram. I'm leaning towards the miniram due to price and reading how some members experience leaks. Seems like too much of a hassle to me (please correct me if I'm wrong - that's the point of this post/forum). Also would like to change to TPIS long tube runners while I'm there.

Are the EM LT headers the best for my application, current and future? I've read the comments of many satisfied customers. How is fit for all with 02 sensor, clearances, overall fitment? Are the coatings worth it?

I can't do any welding or cutting so would prefer a system that doesn't require either. I will take it to an exhaust shop though if the headers that require welding or cutting are that much better than the others that do/don't.

Oh, and I guess I'll lose emissions while I'm at it. I was going to change to a high flow cat, but screw it, I'll get more flow and power without them and nobody will ever know the difference (except me ).

Are stainless works, hooker, or TPIS better for my application? There is so much information on the forum concerning headers and intakes and the torque/hp gains and losses at certain RPMs.

I also read that it all depends on what you want out of your setup. Well I want a daily driver that'll scream at the stoplights and really put you in your seat on highway on-ramps and such. Tame at lower RPMs but screaming when I get on it, and believe me - I do/will. I'm also not much of a drag-racer, never even been to a drag-race before.

However, autocross does interest me. So it seems like I want torque for autocross and stoplights but want a little more on the top end. I hate flooring it, RPMs off the tach and waiting for something more.

Can someone help me sort through what is BS and what is real/fact? That doesn't mean I'm trying to exclude opinions though. What is going to give me the most HP and/or torque? Which options are better if I decided to stroke it?

I know this is a lot to answer and some are wary/annoyed to get involved in another header or intake post, but please help me in this decision. If I'm convinced the EMs are the best for my purposes, I'll get them by next week (if they're not gone by then) and save the $100.

Thanks in advance,

Jonathan

 

I realized my first post was long-winded - read this one for a more concise description.

Have: 91 L98, soon to be very stout 700R4, Corsa cat-back

Want: stoplight screamer, maybe an autocross monster, no real interest in drag racing. Also want a little more in the top end – so that I don’t have the RPMs off the tach and stay waiting for more. Good fitment for 02 sensors, clearances, and easy installation.

Don’t Want: To weld or cut anything if I can get better ones that don’t require it. I will take it to an exhaust shop if the headers requiring cutting/welding are far superior to the competitors. Don’t want/need cats.

Future Possible Mods: miniram/superram, cam, long tube runners.

Can you tell me which headers are best for this application? With which combos will I experience hp/torque gain/loss and at what RPMs?

I’ve heard a lot of good about the EM LTs and if someone convinces me they are the best for this application I’ll get them next week and save the $100. I don't want to jump into anything but I'm a sucker for a sale.

Thanks in advance,

Jonathan

 

Anybody?

 

This subject has been done so many times, probably why no one is answering.
Stock engine - 1 5/8 primaries, Hedman Elites
383 - 1 3/4 primaries, i.e. Hooker, EM and so on.

 

Hooker Super Comps on mine. Part # 2149.

The ceramic coating is discolouring / flaking at the collectors after a few years, as other members have also experienced on theirs.

I love the sound and feel of them though.

 

hookers or tpis. Carefull with 700r hoses near the headers that will cook you bottom.

 

I went with the long tube 1 3/4 TPIS headers with a Magnaflow exhaust on my 91 and put out excellent HP and TQ numbers. I thought I would lose a lot of torque with the large tubes but I didn't.

 

Check out Hedman Elites with 1 5/8" tubes and thermal coating. If you don't have to pass smog you can get the plain headers. You will need a custom Y to eliminate the pre cats.
www.summitracing.com

 

You can't go wrong with the EM headers (although they cost a little more). Plus, no reputable muffler shop is going to remove your cats. It's a federal offense. Just get some high-flow cats.

 

One more vote for the Hooker 2149's.

 

Hi.
have an 85 and thats not much difference to the 91.
I have TPIS and have been very satisfied with them. The advantage with these is that you can use all the stock accessories with no change except for the air tube to the cat which has to be changed but thats a minor task.
Two things I had to do which is negligible.
The support for the alternator had to be grinded or filed half a millimeter to avoid contact with the primary. One bolt had to be torx or umbrako due to free space for the wrench.
Else it was a direct bolt on to the stock cat. It was delivered with Y tube . I recommend the coated version as that decreses the heat dissipation in the engine room.
And it gave a good torqe and HP increase.
Good luck

 

Headers are like religion or politics.

The performance numbers are semi reliable, and there is no guide to seperate the hype from facts .

Take a look at the TRI Y thread, there is an abunadance of opinion there and a good bit of scince to go along with the talk.
.

 

I have been running the ceramic coated TPIS long tubes for years, no leaks or problems...in fact I have their complete exhaust kit which is nice other than the flaking black paint.......from the experience of forum members, EM has a nice set of headers too....check out the search function for headers...

 

I´m running EM headers on my -90 and quite satisfied with them.

Good spark plug clearance (there might be differences between the stock 113 heads and my AFR 210 Eliminators though):


Only problem is on the passenger side: the fuel line is very close to one of the pipes. Also very tight fit where the lower diagonal reinforcement is bolted to the frame (the reinforcement had to be modified to clear the header pipes and one of the bolts very difficult to get in place). Don´t know if these problems are caused by my AFR heads??

Cannot say anything about the quality of the coating yet; first start-up was yesterday (ended after 5 minutes with an oil leak and a small fire...no damages)