Expert: Brad Sears - 6/13/2010

Question
Hello,

I own a 1980 camaro with a 350 and 4 speed manual. Ive put a voodoo cam, new carb, and alumimun intake on it, but everything else is pretty much stock.  I'd like to get a set of headers and put on new dual exhaust.  The problem is that there are about a trillion different options for ordering headers and I cant make up my mind on what to get.  Ive heard nothing but horror stories when people order full length headers because they end up having to modify and adjust the heck out of their car to make them fit or have ground clearance issues.  Ideally, Id really like to just order some shorty headers and spend somewhere around 125 bucks.  I came across these (link is below).  What do you think of these headers?  Do you believe they'd work well? Honestly, I feel lost and any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I just dont want to drop 500 dollars and have to cut into my A-arm just to have headers.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Flowtech/387/11108/10002/-1

Also, any suggestions on mufflers?  I want my car to be loud, but I am getting a little too old for the sound of glass packs. Flowmaster sounds great but its so expensive...any suggestions for a similar sound, but less price?

I would REALLY appreciate any and all advice!

Answer
Ok, the following is my opinion and my opinion only so don't bag me with a negative rating if you do not agree with me. First of all headers are only worth the money for one of two reasons. One if you are going to be running the engine at high RPM's as in competition and secondly as an ego trip when you open the hood and are looking for the Oh's and Ah's from the assembled crowd. Again, my opinion, if it was my car I would opt to keep the original exhaust manifolds and drop the bucks on the formatters with duals. For street application it will make the car run just fine but at the Saturday night drags you might be at a slight disadvantage. Also be aware that under the present administration in the Big Sand Box on the Potomac that emission legislation may get even tougher. States have different regulations for emissions inspections in order to get a safety inspection sticker. Here in Florida there is no periodic inspection but in New Hampshire where our summer home is the law reads as follows: A vehicle shall be rejected and not receive a safety inspection sticker if it is not equipped with all of the emissions devices that were installed on the vehicle when new. In your case that would be at least catalytic converters, EGR valve, PCV, and air pump system it it was there new For a street driven machine that you get on occasionally in my opinion the stock manifolds with duals and free flowing mufflers will do nicely and still rattle the neighbors windows.