I installed the headers in October of '98. They are Hooker Super Competition headers for '86-92 F-bodies (Camaro and Firebird) that have a single catalytic converter. The primary tubes are 1 5/8" in diameter, dumping into a 2 1/2" pipe on each side of the Y-pipe, which then join into a 3" pipe before the cat. All of the piping is mandrel-bent for smooth and efficient exhaust flow. I had the headers and Y-pipe ceramic-coated by Jet Hot to prevent rusting and keep the heat inside the exhaust instead of escaping to the engine compartment. I can wrap my hands around the primary tubes about 20-30 minutes after shutting the engine down, sooner if I open the hood to cool things off.

It took me 16 hours for the whole project, including removing the stock exhaust manifolds (AIR tubes had already been removed), cleaning out the bolt holes in the heads, enlarging the bolt holes in the headers, grinding off the AIR tubes protruding into the primaries, installing and removing the headers a few times due to the miscellaneous problems with the bolt holes, modifying the A/C bracket (took over an hour with the Dremel tool and a hacksaw), figuring out where the "mystery" P/S bracket came from, tightening up the P/S pump belt, installing the Y-pipe, getting the front of the catalytic converter opened up after finding out that it wouldn't fit onto the end of the Y-pipe, and bolting everything else back on. The directions stated that the engine needed to be jacked up on the right side to install the right-side header, but I was able to slide it in w/out creating extra work for myself. :)

After a few weeks, I had to replace the spark plug wires since a few got burned (those with straight boots) because they were sitting on the primary tubes. My new wires are cut-to-fit 8mm Taylor Spiro-Pro wires (all with 90-degree boots) secured with Made For You centerbolt valve cover looms. I also had to remove the solid copper header gasket on each side since I had installed them backwards (ridges facing the wrong way), which had caused 8 leaks on the left side and 7 on the right side. :( It sounded like a dump truck when running and set the SES light off every time. After getting everything straightened out, I did pick up a few mph on my trap speed and knocked off a few tenths from my e.t. at the track due to the noticeable increase in horsepower and torque. :) The spark plugs are easier to change, although I had to use a shortened and modified spark plug socket from SLP to get a few of them tightened. I used Stage 8 bolts but haven't installed the locks yet since the header bolts haven't backed out any after checking them a few times. An additional unexpected benefit to the headers was more clearance between the right-side sub-frame connector (SFC) and the Y-pipe. Before, the Y-pipe would bang against the SFC in reverse or when slowing down with some moderate engine compression due to almost no clearance between the two. Now, there's almost an inch of room in there, and the Y-pipe is clearly visible if one's standing next to the car about 20 feet away. :)

Update: I cut off the air tubes when I had the heads off in January of '03, greatly improving access to the spark plugs and header bolts.  I can change all 8 plugs from up top now, and the header bolts are all easier to reach.  The Taylor spark plug wires are over 5 years old and have 40k miles on them, yet they still ohm'd out very low recently thanks to the MFY wire looms keeping them away from the header tubes.

Pictures

Left-side header.  The Taylor spark plug wires are secured with Made For You plug wire looms.  The air tubes have been cut off and capped for better spark plug and header bolt access.

Another shot of the left side.

Right side header.  The spark plug wires are rounted in front of the Accel coil and head down to the plugs from the rear of the engine.  Spark plug and header bolt access is much better without the air tubes.

Another shot of the right side.

Picture of the coated Y-pipe connecting the headers to the cat when I first installed the headers.

 Last update: April 4, 2004