I have a stock 2001 v6. So apparently, my headers have a leak, and I have the horrendous ticking/card on bicycle wheel noise.

Most importantly, I want to replace my headers. I rather not have them welded. I really have just about no idea on all this, and I don't want to go to my local dealer and get screwed.

After replacing my headers, eventually, in a month or two, I'd like to get dual exhaust and get a GT bumper.

Keeping in mind I'm a complete noob at all this, what headers do you guys reccomend I get to replace my cracked/leaking stock v6?

Browsing around I see people reccomending the MAC, which are around the $200 price range?

I also found these, the cheapest I've seen:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Are those any good?

Help me out!!!!!

 

JBA Headers are the best.

MAC's will rust and leak

 

The ceremic coated ones wont rust for sure.

 

i'm installing a set of BBK shorties. $259(chrome) or $359(ceramic) shipped on ebay.
good luck!

 

I keep hearing to go for longtube headers. Do you guys really reccomend that? They are more expensive obviously than shorties, but is it worth it?

 

Anyone?

 

See my PM.

 

if you're going to get shorties, i would guess those are probably the best bang for the buck ones you can find, but don't be surprised if they do what your stock manifolds are doing now a few years down the road. maybe then you could just upgrade to long tubes

 

I did alot of research on this sort of thing when I was looking around at overhauling my exhaust system. One of the key things to remember is that you get what you pay for. Ceramic coating is abit more expensive, but it'll save it from rust later on (which is rather important), while steel, rusts through after so long. As far as changing headers, if you go to a long-tube header, you're prolly gonna hafta buy a new set of mid-pipes as well (commonly referred to as X or H pipes). Give a base of about.. what? $150-200 for non-catalytic pipes that'll fit, but since you're probably somewhere that requires emissions (most states do), you'll be looking at around $300-$350 for a catted H-Pipe or whatnot. You should be able to keep your cat-back setup, but why bother if you're replacing everything else? Might as well squeeze every last bit of performance you can out of it. Here is what I basically just described:

(using lmperformance.com as example just cause of the free shipping)

http://www.lmperformance.com/7669/86.html
$313 - 2000 V6 1 5/8" Long Tube Headers - Ceramic Coated

http://www.lmperformance.com/7348/86.html
$351 - V6 2.5" High-Flow Catted H-Pipe for LT Headers

http://www.lmperformance.com/6651/86.html
$313 - V6 2.5" Cat-back System with 3" Stainless Tips

So, overall, you're looking at about $1,000. However, it's built to last, warrantied even, fully mandrel-bent, has an aggressive tone to it that makes people think American Muscle when you drive your mustang by them, and since it's all bolt-on, isn't too difficult to install, provided you can find a do-it-yourself garage, or have a buddy with jackstands/ramps and a few tools. I dunno how much HP increase... maybe 10 on the high side?