headers or catback first

[fred slawson]

Hey guys been lurking the board for awhile and have decided to jump in. I have to decide on my fathers day present. Funds a limited so I have to decide between Pacesetter Headers or an inexpensive(read not junk) catback set up. I can do the catback myself but don't have a lift to put the headers in from underneath. If I got the catbacks I could afford to put them in immediately, instant gradification. Or if I got headers I would have to wait a couple weeks for the install.
So what I'm asking is which would give me more gains powerwise, headers or catback. For me it's all about power and sound is somewhere down the list.
Sorry for the long post have a blessed day.
PS My only mod so far is to open up the bottom of the intake to make it breath better. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Nachius]

I would say go with the catback first you will see more gains from a high flow cat/catback than you will from just headers for about the same price!

Also if your car is a 2000+ you already have tubular monifolds which are similar to headers!

[SixBanger]

DEFINITELY DEFINITELY DEFINITELY CAT-BACK!!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[fred slawson]

I do plan on enventuall replacing the entire exhaust system. I have a 2001, and I hear you about it being tubular. I'm also thinking that the pacesetter headers will go up in price soon. This would cost me more down the line. Okay so if it is catback which one. Remember for me it's performance first sound is secondary.

[SixBanger]

Well from what I understand, most catbacks are going to give you pretty much the same performance. You probably won't notice much of a difference between any two. Everyone is going to tell you they are for Dynomax, Flowmaster, Magnaflo, etc. It's really a personal opinion on what sound you like. The second thing you will have to decide is if you want it to be stainless steel or aluminized. However, if you plan on buying stainless, you're probably going to have to hold off on those headers for awhile. That is unless you are rich of course.

[fred slawson]

LOL not rich by anymeans. Just working for a living. So headers with stock catback = ?hp and aftermarket catback with stock manifolds and ypipe=?hp

[Arctc Wolf]

I say save the cash, and get it all done at once. if not, then go w/ a cat-back. I have a 2001 also, and u see my mods. I love my exhaust. remember, if u go w/ a flowmaster, get it w/ 3" piping, and either resonated tips or a resonator in the I-pipe to cut out the rice at huigh rpm's.

[SixBanger]

I would not do the headers and leave everything stock. See headers are really only good for sound on our cars. I mean don't get me wrong, you will feel a difference, but not as much as a catback. You lose a lot of backpressure with them. Go with the catback first, then if you want, buy the headers. They go hand in hand. You are also more at risk for something going wrong with the headers. But before you buy the catback, I would buy an intake. You will be more pleased with that first, then the catback will compliment it very well.

[96blkbird]

You want the bad air out, so it only made since to start from back and work your way forward. You dont want to cram all the bad air to a restrictive muffler and exhaust.

[O0oSKAMo0O]

do ita all at the same time!!!!!!!!!!

[RacerJ]

Headers = waste of money.
Get the catback first.
If you want, put on a high-flow cat.

[SixBanger]

what would just a high flow cat give him?

[RacerJ]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SixBanger:
what would just a high flow cat give him?<hr></blockquote>

Almost nothing.

[Red94Camaro]

Wouldn't the headers help with both sound and power? I'm thinking about getting some with whisper ram air, lid, american thunder flowmaster with dynomax bullet muffler in place of cat. Wouldn't the headers with all that gain me power? or would i still lose torque?