Hey guys, I just want debate, pros cons, etc on this. I know header installs on these cars is an almighty pain in the ***. But I have an itch to do something and think I'd enjoy the power gains and sound change if I added headers. I currently have mrt catted h pipe, sss adrenaline catback and a 3.12 (thank god for my signature) intercooled vortech.

Thoughts? GO!

 

I did mine with the trans pulled and a hoist. It still sucked, make sure you get headers you want, have the time to do it, and the tools for the job.
Be done with it, pray you dont have to do it twice! If you go LT's you need another mid pipe, as I've heard repeatedly, shorties are worthless, extensions for the rear O2 sensor connectors.
As cliffyk lovingly refers to that area as the "rust belt", the deeper you go into it the harder it's going to be.
Lots of PB Blaster, CLP, (my fav), as you need to soak the bolts for them to "break" rather than "snap".
Am I forgetting something?

 

Since I'd go shorties to keep my current exhaust, would the sound change? Being FI wouldn't I see slight gains anyway?

 

I didn't notice any change in mine, I used the BBK tuned shorties, only because they fell into my lap for 100.00, my stock manifolds were thrashed, the previous owner destroyed the nuts at the collectors and i had to cut them off, my biggest change in sound was my FM 44's.
As in gains on FI, with shorties, you're asking the wrong guy. I would say no, as I've been told repeatedly that shorties are worthless for HP gains.

 

shorties will give you 7-10 hp MAYBE after a tune. Not worth the work. your car auto or 5spd? pacesetter makes a nice set of LTs, and if you buy the coated ones and mid pipe its only like 600$, which is a good deal. Plus you can still remove the trans without loosening the passenger header. LTs and offroad mid will net you quite a decent gain

 

They aren't that bad...if you have enough time. I had the suspension down/out and exhaust off in 2 hours. (first time).

If you're short on time...don't do it. It WILL be a pain in the ***.

 

So how much harder is a long tube install than a shorty install? I won't be rushed as i can leabe the car in shambles if necessary. Just wondering if i should go the long tube route even though i love the exhaust as is ...

 

It's your car cap'n, do whatcha want. LT's ain't cheap either, JBA's are about 800.00!

 

hang the motor, and drop the k-member. Not the end of the world, but isnt for beginners

 

If your in there far enough to do shorties, your in there far enough to do LT's, and the gains, especially with FI, are much superior on LT's.