Header Owners - Opinions **UPDATE**

[FirebirdGT]

The cat is "dying" - rattling. The dealer wants $1000 to replace it, $800 just for the cat/Y-pipe.

So it is time for headers and a high flow cat.


I like the CIA, but they supposedly only fit 98+. Do any 96-97 owners have these headers? What problems were encountered? What about Pacesetter these days?

Best high flow cat? Catco?

O2 sim?

Other issues?

[ September 30, 2004, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: FirebirdGT ]

[BLLDOGG]

Pacesetters are doing good right now. i like my catco and im not sure about your year but Casper Electronics sells good sims.

[BLUE]

I don't have CIA headers although I wished I would have waited and save some more money for it. The only issue I've heard about CIA headers on Pre-98s is something about clearing issue on the passenger side because of the A/C line. But I'm sure you can bend the line a little bit to make it fit.

As far as Pacesetter goes I have the headers and I'm not completely satisfied with it. Yeah it does the work but there are a few gripes about it as far as my concern. First of, is the way they (Pacesetter) design the primaries on the passenger side, it made it complicated instead of easier to get the middle spark plug in.
Secondly, the paper gasket with the kit to some it worked but somehow mine leaked after a few months.
Third, the Ball/socket joint flange that connects the header to the Y pipe. The bolts that was put in with the kit was a poor choice, it could barely tighten up the connection between the ball and socket joints.
Finally, the Y pipe isn't precisely cut or made at the same length as the stock dimension therefore a muffler shop have to cut it up and weld in another piece between the left and the right banks to make it work.

But you know, its cheap and at the same time I get what I paid for. ;)

[BLLDOGG]

your right about the bolts for the y-pipe. the thread was too short. nothing a couple dollars and a trip to a store cant fix. the gaskets work if you do it right ;) when you talk about the exhaust shop fixing that one thing, i think your talking about when they had a bad batch. i did buy mine when they had a bad batch so that made things sour but everything has been fixed for months now. the 4th spark plug is hard to get too but not that hard. they sell sockets to make it really easy for like 10 buckets and all i did was use a wrench that angled off to the side so thats what i used. the only problem i have had it its a thorn in my side is the EGR connection was too long. it has become a problem cause i cut the EGR to make it fit and that is what has given me the problems. if it doesnt fit right, take the time to get it right cause my way is a PITA

[BLUE]

Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
the only problem i have had it its a thorn in my side is the EGR connection was too long. it has become a problem cause i cut the EGR to make it fit and that is what has given me the problems. if it doesnt fit right, take the time to get it right cause my way is a PITA

That was an easy fix to me. ;) Thanks to CP @ sick sixx. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[BLLDOGG]

did you just plug it? i dont want to do that cause its a useful thing. other than helping the warming up process in the cold, it helps break down carbons and oxides in the air coming into the intake. i read it in my Intro to Automotive in my mechanics class. i meant to post that info for all that like to argue about the use of the EGR system <-----

[ReodDai]

1. Don't ever take the car to the dealership again. Unless its something only they can do.

2. Only reason you'd need a new y-pipe if your cat is "rattling" is if you have holes in your original y-pipe. Those don't come in a package, tell the dealer to sit on a fork.

3. Headers for you.. no clue. However get a carsound cat(aka magnaflow).

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
did you just plug it? i dont want to do that cause its a useful thing. other than helping the warming up process in the cold, it helps break down carbons and oxides in the air coming into the intake. i read it in my Intro to Automotive in my mechanics class. i meant to post that info for all that like to argue about the use of the EGR system <-----

1) EGR does not break anything down entering the engine. It reduces NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) leaving the engine by reducing combustion chamber temps.

2) EGR does not help warm up the engine, because it's not even activated until the engine is warm.

[BLLDOGG]

yes, the cat and y-pipe is sold together and only together

[BLLDOGG]

Originally posted by 98Camaro3.8:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by BLLDOGG:
did you just plug it? i dont want to do that cause its a useful thing. other than helping the warming up process in the cold, it helps break down carbons and oxides in the air coming into the intake. i read it in my Intro to Automotive in my mechanics class. i meant to post that info for all that like to argue about the use of the EGR system &lt;-----

1) EGR does not break anything down entering the engine. It reduces NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) leaving the engine by reducing combustion chamber temps.

2) EGR does not help warm up the engine, because it's not even activated until the engine is warm. </font>[/QUOTE]#1 is what i was trying to say but i could remember the exact wording

#2 is what alot of people on here say it does so i assumed
[img]graemlins/popcorn.gif[/img]

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by ReodDai:
2. Only reason you'd need a new y-pipe if your cat is "rattling" is if you have holes in your original y-pipe. Those don't come in a package, tell the dealer to sit on a fork.

Like BLLDOGG said above, these actually do come as a package. Unfortunately, you can't get them seperately. ;)

[FirebirdGT]

Originally posted by 98Camaro3.8:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ReodDai:
2. Only reason you'd need a new y-pipe if your cat is "rattling" is if you have holes in your original y-pipe. Those don't come in a package, tell the dealer to sit on a fork.

Like BLLDOGG said above, these actually do come as a package. Unfortunately, you can't get them seperately. ;) </font>[/QUOTE]Exactly, which is why I won't pay that price.

[FirebirdGT]

Originally posted by ReodDai:
3. Headers for you.. no clue. However get a carsound cat(aka magnaflow).

Why? Where?

[ReodDai]

Cat is not sold with a y-pipe if you buy just a cat. DO NOT GO TO A DEALER. Any exhaust shop should carry or be able to order JUST a carsound cat that fits. Any intelligent shop will cut your y-pipe and weld the new cat in place. Old some idiotic dealership would sell you a y-pipe and cat as a package. I said they don't come in a package because if you went to someone that knew anything about the car they would sell you what you need. Dealerships know absolutely nothing about the cars they work on, they have service manuals that tell them exactly what to do/buy for anything you tell me. Then they work up the list untill its fixed. DO NOT GO TO A DEALERSHIP AFTER WARRANTY (unless it is something ONLY the dealership can do). They DO NOT give quality service. They DO NOT save you money. They DO NOT have a clue. If people with high dollar cars that only go to a dealership because they think only the dealership can work on them is just an idiot. They would be better of taking it to a aftermarket shop that specializes in the car. For an example, mazda dealerships in austin won't work on a 3rd gen rx-7 in the dealership they will take your money then pay to send the car to an aftermarket shop to have it fixed ;) .

As for why a carsound. Its relatively cheap, good quality and they normally last pretty long for a high flow cat. Any magnaflow dealer will have them (most exhaust shops).

[ September 12, 2004, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: ReodDai ]

[FirebirdGT]

Originally posted by ReodDai:
Cat is not sold with a y-pipe if you buy just a cat. DO NOT GO TO A DEALER. Any exhaust shop should carry or be able to order JUST a carsound cat that fits. Any intelligent shop will cut your y-pipe and weld the new cat in place. Old some idiotic dealership would sell you a y-pipe and cat as a package. I said they don't come in a package because if you went to someone that knew anything about the car they would sell you what you need.

The factory part is a single piece - cat with Y-pipe, GM p/n 24505458.

I do realize that I could have a "muffler shop" cut and install, but if I am going to have to put in an aftermarket cat, I am going to replace the rest of the front end of the exhaust system too.