I recently installed the TPIS ceramic coated headers on my 85 Z51. I am running TFS 23 deg heads with angle plugs. The quality of the headers was very good. Solid construction and ceramic coated inside and out. The supplied Y pipe is not ceramic coated, but painted in high temp flat black. The headers and Y pipe fit excellent, no need to bang or bend anything on the car. Also, for 84/85 guys, the Y-pipe bolted right up to the factory cat, no cutting or welding required. The headers bolted right up using the stock bolts/studs and all the factory brackets were able to be used, with some minor grinding on the end of the long alternator support to clear the primary tube. All in all, very well thought out fot he C4 engine bay. Spark plug access with the angle plug heads is excellent. Straight plug heads would be a problem.
The only negative was the Y pipe not being ceramic coated. TPIS supplied stainless band clamps and felpro gaskets with the headers. I am very satisfied with the product, hopefully, I will be able to make a dyno pull in a few weeks to test performance.
On a side note, anyone out there in the Va Beach area who can burn custom chips? Need a new prom before the car will run right with the new cam and compression.

 

I am happy with mine as well. I did however have to move the fuel lines a bit and I wrapped the starter. TPIS doesn't wrap it when they install their own headers, just a little insurance on my end.

 

It looks like the headers come with the AIR tubes but what about the EGR tube.

The TPIS ad says you have to order one from GM.

BTW, I thought the TPIS Y-pipe was also ceramic coated; am disappointed that it isn't. When I got the Edelbrock headers for my IROC both headers and Y were ceramic coated inside/out, and for less $$ than the TPIS headers.



[Modified by 65Z01, 10:34 PM 11/30/2002]

 

You might want to get a hold of ski_dwn_it on the chip. He is a forum member..

 

Ditto-I called TPIS when my headers came in and ask them about it. There response was simply that the Y-pipe does not get hot enought to warrant coating.

Like most of TPIS products, they are pricey. However I was willing to pay the extra $$$ (for headers) for a direct bolt-on product, with no cutting, bending, grinding ETC.

 

I concur that the fuel lines and starter are a close fit, but no interference. I am waiting to see if the starter needs to be wrapped for heat protection. I was also a little disappointed about the Y-pipe not being coated, but it is true that it will not be nearly as hot as the primary tubes.
I got headers with the AIR fittings and they mated right up to the stock plumbing nicely. There is a threaded fitting on the #8 cylinder primary tube(rear pass side) for an EGR tube provision. Not needed on my car due to the EGR supply through the heads. Used a 1/2" s.s. allen pipe plug to make a clean looking block off. There are headers that are less expensive, but when you add up the Y-pipe, clamps, gaskets and minimal hassle install, I felt the cost was justified. The reason I did not go with the Hookers was in part because of the issues with my 4 bolt cat design and the Y-pipe not matching without some custom welding. If I had an 86 or newer, I probably would have opted for the Hookers.

 

You'll be even more happy to know that they last too. I've had mine for 2.5 years now and no sight of flaking coatings or anything. They look just like they did when they were new.