Please I need advice on headers

[SoCal_Blazer]

Alright first I have a 89 4X4 Blazer. Im looking to replace my long tube dynomax headers for something thats C.A.R.B approved since I live in California. Now Im thinking of Edelbrocks TES shorties and using them to make a dual exhaust system. Any advice on brands or whether to stay with long tube or tri-y would be appreciated.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Alright first I have a 89 4X4 Blazer. Im looking to replace my long tube dynomax headers for something thats C.A.R.B approved since I live in California. Now Im thinking of Edelbrocks TES shorties and using them to make a dual exhaust system. Any advice on brands or whether to stay with long tube or tri-y would be appreciated.

In California if the vehicle came with single exhaust you cannot install a true dual exhaust. Also a new California law was enacted on 1-1-09 about Catalytic convertors, make sure you install a CARB approved California CAT otherwise you will fail a smog check.

 

[Keitha]

I highly recomend Thorley Tri-Y headers: Top quality and work great - they lean more towards tourque than HP and they are a bit easier to fit as you do not have the 4 tubes cramming into a single collector.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

I highly recomend Thorley Tri-Y headers: Top quality and work great - they lean more towards tourque than HP and they are a bit easier to fit as you do not have the 4 tubes cramming into a single collector.

Does your rig have AIR?

I did some shopping for CARB legal headers with air and the only ones that I've found (that will fit your rig and have AIR) are the edelbrocks. Thorley has headers with AIR but IIRC I couldn't find any for a upper 80's 4x4 k5 with AIR.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

In California if the vehicle came with single exhaust you cannot install a true dual exhaust. Also a new California law was enacted on 1-1-09 about Catalytic convertors, make sure you install a CARB approved California CAT otherwise you will fail a smog check.

Would a dual setup with an X pipe "technically" be within the laws?

From what I've read a single 3" system will actually work better with tbi. It'll be a lot cheaper too.

 

[hidesertwheelin]

Would a dual setup with an X pipe "technically" be within the laws?

From what I've read a single 3" system will actually work better with tbi. It'll be a lot cheaper too.

I'm running a single 3", and I think it helped a lot. My sub seems to have more pep to it, and a great sound.

 

[4X4HIGH]

The only way to legally have dual tail pipes is to come from the header/manifold into a single CAT then into a single muffler THEN you can come out of the muffler with dual tailpipes. This is nothing more than looks though IMHO.

The new California CAT law also says that the CAT must be the same pipe diameter as the factory exhaust AND you cannot add or remove any CATs so that in itself eleminates a true dual exhaust system. The front of the CAT must also be within 3" of the original location. Damn smog nazzi's sure do like making it hard to have any fun these days.

 

[SoCal_Blazer]

Damn i really wanted to go with that true dual exhaust, but i thought 2.5 piping was better instead of 3". Thanks for advice on tri Y's im gonna look into them, Only thing dont like about single exhaust is with a 6" lift the front drive shaft get in the way of the passenger side header when you put in cross over pipe

 

[Keitha]

Does your rig have AIR?

I did some shopping for CARB legal headers with air and the only ones that I've found (that will fit your rig and have AIR) are the edelbrocks. Thorley has headers with AIR but IIRC I couldn't find any for a upper 80's 4x4 k5 with AIR.

No, my 1991 Suburban thanksfully does not have AIR. Just nice looking clean header tubes.

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Damn i really wanted to go with that true dual exhaust, but i thought 2.5 piping was better instead of 3". Thanks for advice on tri Y's im gonna look into them, Only thing dont like about single exhaust is with a 6" lift the front drive shaft get in the way of the passenger side header when you put in cross over pipe

I have a 6" lift with dynomax headers and y pipe and everything clears ok.

 

[blazin_blazer]

what about headers w/ a sm465...my headers ran smack dab into the clutch pivot rod! mechanical linkage, so i put a set of stock manifolds on that i had extrude honed, they better than stockers, but don't flow like headers, but they don't let heat under hood like headers either!. any ways around that linkage for headers or do i have to wait until i get everything to go hydro throwout bearing??