Thread: Anyway around headers?

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  1. #1 Anyway around headers? 
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    Ok so I've been running with my 3" DP for a few months now and I have a little christmas money laying around, basically enough to pick up a set of SD header or a PLOG. I know that the prevailing wisdom is that headers are much better than a PLOG/DP set up. Thing is header seem like a PIA install to me, or a really expensive one for a shop to do (I got quote $400 from several local shops)

    My question then is, is there anyway to make a PLOG/DP setup work safely beyond the basic 3.4 pulley setup?
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  2. #2 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    The Blue One blueguy's Avatar
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    Sure...get an intercooler.

    That would be my suggestion.
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  3. #3 Re: Anyway around headers? 
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    yes

    but you'll need more mods for the pulley size/power level you want to get to.
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  4. #4 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    GTX Level Member colindunn's Avatar
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    get headers. its worth it. you can do it yourself without a lift or anything it just takes time. even when it comes to the money part how cheap you can get those headers for. i have them and love them.

    in the end headers will definatly be a lot safer and i would strongly reccomend them even with a 3.4 setup. if your going below that with a plog and dp.. i wish you luck.
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  5. #5 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    The Blue One blueguy's Avatar
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    Headers are nice...but they aren't necessary. If the guy wants to have a PLOG/DP setup...why not? There is a local with a 3.0" IC'd setup with just a DP...maybe a PLOG...I don't think he does...but anywho...its all about the tune. His is custom...rockers and IC...it runs its a$$ off.
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  6. #6 Re: Anyway around headers? 
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    Like everyone said there is no reason you can't run a Plog/downpipe setup. You will just need a few more supporting mods I'd assume to run a 3.4 safely.

    I completely understand why you don't wanna do headers. I think most people that get a downpipe kind of kick themselves in the ass for getting one because eventually they want headers.. That's kind of out of the question for me for various reasons, so I'm going the Plog/DP route, however I'm also N/A. good juck!
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  7. #7 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    GT Level Member donmega's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by colindunn View Post
    get headers. its worth it. you can do it yourself without a lift or anything it just takes time. even when it comes to the money part how cheap you can get those headers for. i have them and love them.

    in the end headers will definatly be a lot safer and i would strongly reccomend them even with a 3.4 setup. if your going below that with a plog and dp.. i wish you luck.

    I have SD headers how did you deal with the o2 snsr hitting the floor pan. its an easy install. be careful getting the old headers off. I broke a stud in the block and had to get it towed. wouldve been cheap if i were patient. o and i pretty much dented in my floor pan to get the o2 snsr off the body with was vibrating the p*ss out of my car
    "well we can spend 1000s throwing parts in it and hope that fixes the problem or we can diag it correctly and change the .50 cent fuse...lets ask the owner what he wants to do" --Walt R.--
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  8. #8 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    DUI BABY Bio248's Avatar
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    if i would do it again i would just port the stock manifolds a little and run a 3" downpipe.
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  9. #9 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    The Blue One blueguy's Avatar
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    I love the fact headers flow so well...but I hate the fact no headers but the billion dollar ZZP ones work perfectly...

    screw the 3800 header options.
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  10. #10 Re: Anyway around headers? 
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    ok thanks for the responses all. You guys basically hit on all of my concerns with headers. I checked out that thread (author escapes me) that looked at pros and cons of each header model and it seems like all of them have an issue, be it clearance, leaks, etc. I figured an IC might be a possible solution. Either way I'm not quite there yet but it looks like time to order a plog. Thanks again.
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  11. #11 Re: Anyway around headers? 
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    i wanted headers but seems like all have probs exept expensive ones.
    03 pontiac grand prix gtp limited edition
    02 chevy silverado 4x4
    97 pontiac sunfire
    87 ford mustang notch 408 stroker
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  12. #12 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    SE Level Member NineD9GT's Avatar
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    I paid $159 for my headers, and $75 for some header wrap, $5 for some copper sealant, and even used the crappy clamps that came w the headers, had no problems. When I put my engine back in, I'm going to get better clamps this time. Oh, I used gm manifold gaskets. The downpipe on the headers is pretty dumb, and bottomed out right away, but hasn't hit since.
    99 GP GT L26 bottom end, Intense stage II cam, Ported L67 heads w/ LS6 springs, LS1 valve seals, 42.5# injectors, ported sc/intake, custom LS1 TB and MAF, custom FWI, 3.4 mps, NGK TR6, ZZP wires, 180 stat, etc...
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  13. #13 Re: Anyway around headers? 
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    what set did u use?
    03 pontiac grand prix gtp limited edition
    02 chevy silverado 4x4
    97 pontiac sunfire
    87 ford mustang notch 408 stroker
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  14. #14 Re: Anyway around headers? 
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    Just set aside some time and put headers in yourself. I paid when all said and done around 350 dollars for my speed daddy header install (this includes napa easy seal band clamps, copper rtv, pipe expander, etc). An intercooler is going to cost you more.

    Just do reading before hand and know what to expect and deal with it.

    Even if you intercool I guarantee you will come crawling back to wanting headers to drop yet another pulley size.
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  15. #15 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    SE Level Member NineD9GT's Avatar
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    speed daddy headers
    99 GP GT L26 bottom end, Intense stage II cam, Ported L67 heads w/ LS6 springs, LS1 valve seals, 42.5# injectors, ported sc/intake, custom LS1 TB and MAF, custom FWI, 3.4 mps, NGK TR6, ZZP wires, 180 stat, etc...
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  16. #16 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    Donating Users 16MustangVet's Avatar
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    This ^^^^^^ FTW Bang for the buck speed daddys offer for so cheap, who cares if its not 100% perfect. Any other part for the 3800s better for 200 bucks??
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  17. #17 Re: Anyway around headers? 
    I live here. siLversLeigh's Avatar
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    extrude hone the manifolds...
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