Any recommendations for headers for a 02' 5.3L GMC?
I am currently looking at JBA, but I was wondering if anyone had any other brands that they have had good luck with.

<small>[ April 19, 2002, 08:12 AM: Message edited by: oracleknowledge ]</small>

 

Welcome to HEADER CENTRAL and to the site. Ok first you have to determine what you want to spend and where you want your power. Shorties; JBA, Gibson, Borla, and others will give you the power gains primarily in the upper RPM range. They yield in the 5-12 rwhp range. They will also range in price fromm $250 to $450. Long tube headers like Arizona Speed and Marine will typically yield power in the full RPM range with a little better emphasis on the lower RPM ranges, around 20 rwhp. They will cost in the $735 range and will require cutting into your exhust system. Mid and Equal Length headers such as Hamm's, Lapooles, and The Other Guys normally show the same chariteristic as the long tube with power numbers being similar. Price ranges on those are $550 - $730. Prices need to be considered when making a decision because, cheaper may also mean you are not getting quality accesories with our order, IE: gaskets, instructions, customer service to name a few. Ask specifice questions about some of your optons and we will be glad to help. You can see a few of our site sponsors like TBYRNE, Thunder Racing, and our newest Futral Motorsports and look at there websites and call to get specific prices including shipping. I hope this will help you out a little and sorry it is so long, but it could be much longer. Look forward to hearing from you again.

<small>[ April 19, 2002, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Fast4.8 ]</small>

 

I am looking for a header system that would be somewhat easy to install and would provide power all over the RPM range, maybe with a slight emphisis on lower end. I just installed my Flowmaster system yesterday, and would like to know what you mean by "cutting" into the exhaust system. As far as money goes, I just want a company who is reliable and has good customer service. Would any of the headers that you recommended violate emissions laws? I am from NJ and they always check emissions every time you visit the inspection station.

 

when he said cutting into the exhaust system he meant u have to cut the y-pipe to shorten it because long tubes and mid lengths are much longer than shorties. Headers are a pretty easy install too, except that you would have to get an exhaust shop to weld together ur modified y-pipe.

as for emmisions none of the headers will have a problem passing emmissions as long as you keep your cats on there.

bryan

 

but, I would assume that there are also headers that bolt to the stock cat system?

 

I also have a header question/recommendation. I installed a set of Borla shorties on my brother's '99 5.3 Z71. We just had to remove them because of the new 9" RCD suspension lift. One of the passenger side tubes did not clear the top of the new passenger side shock bracket, so we had to put the original manifolds back in.

Now I would like to replace them with one of the Mid-Length, or maybe even the Long Tubes. Now does anyone have any experience with this RCD lift and any of these headers?

Also We live in CA and need a CARB EO# like on the shorties for smog. I am very familiar with F-Bodies and the reason why they can't get this EO# for these. But since the Catalytic Converters are not moved at all with the longer tubed design on the truck this should not be a problem. So, does anyone know if any of them have these stamps?

 

yeah, shorty headers bolt directly up to the stock y-pipe with no modification, the only downside is they dont produce as large of gains, but they are a bit cheaper as greg stated.

as for the headers being carb legal, i know the hamms are and i assume all the others are made to be smog legal as well.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by BigTex:
<strong>Greg - Are you in sales? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nope, I work in the Chemical plants. Remember, I did a lot of research during the 3+ months I was waiting on the OINK headers, before I canceled and went with ASM's.

 

Greg - Are you in sales? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

why did you finally go with the ASM's and where did you get them from?