3.8 Headers, whats the best?

[98Wicked6]

I currently know of 3 makes of headers for the 3.8: RKSport, Pacesetter, and Clear Image Automotive. Now I have a few questions.

1. Which are the best and will provide max hp gains?

2. Which are easier to install?

3. Where can I get the Clear Image Automotive headers?

Thanks for any help

[SuprSpdDB7]

i wanna know too!

[knowledgefreak]

rksport headers have bigger sized primaries than the cia headers. That means rksport would flow more. That is what you want. People have problems either because of their own mistake installing them incorrectly or improperly causing a leak at the flanges on the ypipe. Some will scream the flanges are too thin when in reality they are not, they are the same thickness as that on the cia headers however the flanges on the cia headers are 3bolts as opposed to the 2bolt that is on the rksport header package as well as on your stock setup. Why they are getting bent and causing them leaks??? Perhaps torquing them down incorrectly? I dont know, I find those that blaim
5/16 thick steel to warping as someone not wanting to admit they torqued them down unevenly.
Just my opinion.

Cia headers are about 700 bux and do nothing more for performance compared to the rksport headers.
The cia headers are probably made a lot nicer in looks however 5-10 hp gains for this amount of money is just plain STUPID. If your doing mods for hp then spend that kind of cash on nitrous or something else.

Pacesetter DOES NOT have headers in production for the 3.8 as of yet. They have advertised that they have them when in reality they do not have them.

You can find the cia headers by contacting http://www.clearimageautomotive.com/ and having them made.

The leaks that may occur on the rksport are simply solved by welding the headers at the flanges for the y-pipe hook up.

They will be a good mod for exhaust sound but that is about it. You will not see or feel 5hp gains, if you do it is simply psychological.

[ April 14, 2002: Message edited by: knowledgefreak ]</p>

[Tyler]

i couldnt have said it better myself.

but if i were you, and had the money to spend. i would get the RKSport headers, put them on, then bring them to a friend that welds, and have him weld it up where they meet so you get no leaks. im getting headers soon along with hi flow cat and bigger diameter piping. i just want my exhaust loud, thats how i perfer it to be, but other want theirs more quiet. headers increase the sound by a lot so i hear.


have fun

[black97cam]

edelbrock makes headers for the 3.8....

add an edelbrock catback with their tuned headers and it should work very well.

im considering them myself....

[TrikdOuTbyrd]

if what you want is loud exhaust just shell out a hundred bucks and put a cutout on it sounds clean deep and loud .... very muscle carish

[shortdog273]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by black97cam:
edelbrock makes headers for the 3.8....

....<hr></blockquote>

They do? This is new to me. Who sells em?

[black97cam]

if i recall correctly you can get em from RKSport. I'll double check.

[Jason]

Ive never once heard Edelbrock makes headers for the 3.8's. Ive heard Pacesetter started making the 3.8 headers. somone needs to get this info STRAIGHT and let everyone know for FACT what is BS and whats NOT.

Back to the question.
Go with RKSPORT headers and have them welded. CIA headers are just TOO expensive. KnowledgeFreak Said it best.

[Deuce Bigs]

all i'm gonna say about the subject is yeah rksport has huge primaries. 1.75" is what they advertise. cia comes with 1.5" primaries. lt1 standard headers are 1.625" primaries. ls1 primaries are usually 1.75". why do we need 1.75" primes on our V6? we don't. they're too big and slow down the exhaust gas to much which is why we see very little gain with the rksport ones. also they are put together like shi+ and everyone i have heard from have had leaks...multiple times. so you can pay more in the beginning and have quality headers or you can be cheap in the beginning and go through a ton of crap to fix a brand new part cause rksport won't. i've also never had a good experience with rksport trying to ask questions about parts or order. i will not buy from them ever again.