I've been researching header options for weeks, and it seems like there is a general consensus that there will be difficulties with a 4x4 truck. So I guess my question is...is there a header that ALWAYS fits perfect or near perfect for my truck? Or which header system will give me the best chance at having the least amount of difficulties?

FYI, I'm looking for stainless long tube headers, 1-3/4"
my truck is a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 Regular Cab! Thanks guys!

 

My LPP LT's rub on the steering shaft pretty good and initially hit the front driveshaft (fixed the DS issue with a big hose clamp wrapped around the torsion bar to pull it out of the way, over a year and no problems), but some people have good luck with them.

 

Ordered the texas speed stainless LT's for mine and they cleared everything, steering shaft, driveshaft, and anything else they could've hit. Had a good 2" all around of clearance. They Y-pipe at the bend on the driver side had to be modified a lil due to the driveshaft but other than that the headers were a great fit.

 

I'm shooting for dual exhaust, dumped after the axle. Do I have to have a Y pipe? Or can the headers go directly into an X pipe? Or other alternatives?

Sorry, I know this is a goofy question, and I know a fair amount about trucks, but exhaust has always given me trouble for some reason

 

I'm very happy with my dynatech supermaxx truck headers

 

My pacesetters were a perfect fit. But their not stainless. Pretty much kooks, LPP, or ARH can get you set up. Are you going to run cats on the new setup?

 

I'm not really sure about the cats, those are only for emissions right? Any other pro or con? How would that effect my header choice? If I recall...I think the dynatech already has cats built into it.

I wish I could afford headers like Kooks or ARH, but that's probably out of my price range for this summer, because I'm trying to complete
my exhaust system and a tune by the end of the summer

 

Cats will make it quieter as well. Catless LT's are LOUD! I have a 22" big body magnaflow in front of a 7" round by 12" magnaflow and it's still decently loud at startup and under acceleration, and scares children for blocks around under WOT.

 

You get dynatechs just the headers . They are a bit pricey but very well made stainless and fit real nice . No leaks and a piece of Cake to install

 

Save a good chunk of $ ditching the cats. They're only there for emissions - have to have rear O2s turned off via tune to keep CEL off.