What do you guys think of these LT's? I can't say that I've heard much about JBA.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/jba-lo...rs-0509gt.html
And along with that, what do you guys think of the matching H-pipe?
http://www.americanmuscle.com/jba-sh...ed-0509gt.html
One thing I noticed is that it does not seem to include the bungs for the rear O2 sensors, so those would have to be welded in. Other than that, quality looks pretty good, and you can't beat the price (IMO.) Any help is appreciated .

 

You can always turned them off or if you really want the sensors in, have a shop weld some bungs in.

While JBA makes a great product, they have made an amateur mistake w/ those headers: D-shaped exhaust ports should not be matched w/ a D-shaped opening on the headers. You want the headers to be just a normal round opening, otherwise you neglect the primary reason for D-shaped ports (to create a slight port mismatch).

 

Ah.. I didn't notice that. Would they even be worth installing then?

 

They would be but you wouldn't have the reversion protection offered by round shaped header ports. Have you looked at the other brands, such as Hooker, Kooks, etc.

 

Haven't looked at anyone elses yet. I know Kooks are expensive though (at least they were for the Vic.. Nearly $1k just for the headers.)

 

Remember that power and quality always means more cash.

 

I wouldn't mind spending a little more on the headers if it wasn't for the fact that you have to buy the matching mid-pipe. That effectively doubles the cost of what you're trying to do.

 

Get the Kooks or American Racing. They're both more expensive but come factory ceramic coated and are wayyyyy better performance and sound wise.

 

I like the stuff that Kooks puts out, but I'd be looking at $875 for the headers and $566 for the catted H mid-pipe. That's a little more than I would like to spend . As far as American Racing goes, my total for both would be $1600 (and they only have X-style mid-pipes.)

 

Yea American Racing is pure hell as far as price goes, but I've never had a fitment issue with any of the headers I've ever used from them. Personally I like the X-Pipe on S197's. I just got done installing mine and it sounds amazing. A buddy of mine actually just installed American Racing LT's and the O/R X and it sounds like sex on wheels.

To me H-Pipes sound too old, X-pipes sound wayyy more modern for modular motors. But do as you wish. JBA would be the best cheap(er) supplier that I would recommend to you.

 

Question is if AR does the same n00b mistake that JBA does.

 

It would seem that American Racing also uses D ports. BBK and SLP use round ports, but BBK doesn't have a matching H mid available (and the SLP parts are way too expensive.) I think the JBA set is my best bet.

 

Here's something that I'm wondering about now.. Will these longtubes void my factory warranty? I do plan on keeping all of the emissions equipment in place, if that matters.

 

Depends in what aspect. If you have an exhaust problem, then yes because the dealer can say the headers caused it. If you have a drivetrain problem, then no because they are unrelated.

If you decide on JBA, I would see if you can round out the ports w/ a Dremel.

 

Realistically, what sort of gains am I looking at from LT's and a catted midpipe? (on an otherwise stock vehicle.) And yeah, I could probably round the ports off some.

 

Should be noticeable, but don't expect the huge gains you'd see on 2V/4V motors. I'd say 10-15 hp would be a good bet.

 

Actually long tubes, a mid-pipe and a tune can pull out about 40-50 hp. My buddy had his dyno-tuned and they pushed out 48hp over stock with the headers and the tune. BUT, he also got O/R so it might be off a little.

The stock exhaust on S197's blow because they made it so restrictive so it would still be a girl car. Freeing that up does more than you'd think.

 

30hp sound about right then? That was the figure I saw advertised on one site, but I wasn't sure if that was inflated or not.

 

The stock exhaust is not restrictive by any means. The manifolds are superb, and flow better than the old 5.0 cast headers. In addition, true 2.5" tubing, mandrel bends, and two cats is what performance exhaust usually are.

As for the power gains, your buddy probably had the car tuned for higher octane fuel, which adds even more power. Unless you do cams at the same time, it is physically impossible to gain that much w/ just headers.

Also, a mid-pipe is require w/ headers since the stock one won't fit long tubes.

 

No he didn't run a higher octane. He can't because he lives out in the boonies to were there is only 89 which shows no difference in tuning. All he had was LT's and the mid pipe and that is it.

 

Those numbers are exceptionally hard to believe, considering that the older 2V/4V cars don't even show those kind of gains, and those cars actually did have a restrictive system. Long tubes along cannot great that much power alone. Either something else was added or the tuned was modified (possibly the VCT was played around w/?).