runway1

It has power steering. What headers would you suggest? Short, mid, full length? The tri-y's have 2.5" collectors. Wouldn't that be a bit large? Primary size...1 7/8"?

Chrome, ceramic or just paint? Thanks all!

Starfury

Ceramic coating is ideal as it will stay looking bright and rust-free for a long time. It also insulates heat well, keeping the engine bay cool and the exhaust charge hot. Chrome/nickel will discolor and eventually rust, painted headers will rust in short order.

I'd probably recommend either hi-po manifolds or tri-y's. Hi-po's will be the quietest, most maintenance free, and space-conserving of all your options. Tri-y's will improve power across the rpm band, but it's hard to find a good set of tri-y's. Most generic units are built in China and quality is hit or miss. Doug Thorley, FPA, and Doug's Headers all make high quality tri-y's, but they come at a price.

runway1

I'm gonna stay away from the manifold. I want the full benefit of the headers. Also trying to stay under $250 since pipe bending/fitting, tack welding, tips, etc. is running to $700, I want to stay under $1k for the whole exhaust system.

Carlos Pineiro

Some headers interfere with stock steering parts. Check this out before purchasing long headers.

CP

Starfury

Wow, that's an outrageous price for tubing. Most shops here can do it for less than $500, including mufflers. Get some quotes from a couple other shops. Bring the mufflers to them if you want something specific and you'll probably save a couple bucks.

jonward786

lol what? i had my whole system done for 400 flat, which included 2 flowmaster 44s. your welder fails

runway1

Good point. I did that with my chevelle (sorry) years ago.

runway1

That may be and I'll work this price but remember, SLO doesn't have near the hot rod business traffic that Huntington Beach does. On weekends, I can't drive two blocks without running into a car show

Starfury

If they do that much business, it should be cheaper, not more expensive. If it costs $700, it better be stainless, mandrel bent, and TIG welded.

Call a couple other shops, and drive out of the city if you have to. $700 is ridiculous.

2+2GT

I tired of the headers after many years, and switched to 289HP manifolds, port-matched to my heads. If you are using unported stock heads, your cam, headers, and dual exhaust are money wasted. A single exhaust with ported heads and exhaust manifolds would probably flow better than duals, headers, and unported heads.