Hey all- I'm debating putting headers on my '01 Camaro. I haven't modded my car in years and I'm feeling the bug again, maybe it's the warm weather!

I've done a bit of research and it doesnt seem like the install would be terribly dfficult. My question is, for those of you with headers on your 3.8 (or 5.7) motors, did you buy Pacesetters? OBX?

Any preferences? ProsCons?

Thanks!

 

There are also CIA headers & Y-pipe for the 3.8L:
http://www.clearimageautomotive.com/...v6_headers.php

 

You don't have too much choice for header brands on the sixers, but generally Pacesetter is the most used budget header.

 

Stainless OBX for $80 more than the pacesetter painted. Its a no brainer IMO. Well $80 more when I installed mine.



Plan on spending 10-$15 on stainless hardware, The Y-pipe bolts they sent me where way to short. Plan on fitting the Cat pipe to the Y-pipe outside the car. The OBX pipe is round you Cat pipe is a D shape. Check out my 96 build thread for details.

 

Also see this article on 3.8L headers (custom made) -- scroll 2/3 down:
*- Camaro Home Page Tom Henry Chevrolet

More detail is here too:
http://www.superchevy.com/tech/sucs_...s/viewall.html

Dawson Racing Headers (Tom Dawson passed, so looks like they are out of business now...)


Nice comparison

 

search ebay first, got my pacesetter painted headers $100 shipped new opened box, missing a few bolts, but there hardware sucks anyways. all grade 8 bolts form tractor supply $5 bucks.



just make sure to strip and re paint with header paint if you get the painted ones.

 

These guys also have some 3.8L Long Tube Headers last time I checked:
BOV



Comparison to manifolds

 

Pacesetters are the number one on my list of considerations, I'm just not thrilled about the peeling paint/melting paint, I'd probably do what Gorn did below

Are you satisfied with these OBXs?

Thanks LibertyFall

thanks for the feedback, was that process of stripping and painting them a bit tricky?

 

No, just yes aircraft paint stripper, peels right off, them paint and bake like the can says.

 

Interesting, thanks for the tip.

I'm looking at this way for cost:

painted Pacesetters= $230-$250 without shipping, then another $40 or so for paint stripper and header paint. So I'm looking around $300 give or take a few

chrome Pacesetters=$350-$450

I'm okay with doing the stripping and painting, it doesnt seem that complicated.

Did you get Abbott Racing gaskets?