No. Your stock y-pipe will not fit long tube headers. If you are looking for something that will fit the stock y pipe go with shorty headers. There wont be much if any difference as the converters are part of the y pipe.

If you do choose to go with shortys to keep the stock y pipe and cats, you will be making it harder to change the plugs and without too much gain and no real change to exhaust note.

I just reccomend to keep with stock manifolds.

 

I have had shorties on my 97 5.7L for a long time. They do a lot better than stock manifolds at lower RPMs. They are good to about 4000 RPMs give or take. Yes, it is harder to change spark plugs, but IMO its worth the low end gain in torque. All of your exhaust system works together doing its job. Changing just 1 thing will not make a huge difference, but when you do headers, a high flow cat, a free flowing muffler, this will all work together to help performance. The more restrictions you can remove from your exhaust system, the better for the engines performance. After all, simply put, an engine is just a big air compressor, the more air-fuel you put into it,and exhaust you can flow out of it, the more power it will make.

 

Texas Speed has a decent set of LTs and ORY for about $500-$600. I'd give them a call. Its pacesetter money for (closer to) Kooks quality headers.

 

I don’t get the “harder to change spark plugs” argument especially since these trucks have manifold heat shields and shatty OEM boots. But also because I have a big block with hedman shortys and ceramic angled boots and it was MUCH easier to put the new plugs in when I did the swap. However, I second the recommendation for TSP. Had a cam/header setup from them on my 04 and that truck would run like a scalded dog!

 

Its because the header exhaust tubes come out straighter than the OE manifold does. A few of my plugs, I have to get to from the tire well. So from under the header tube. Its not imposable to do at all, it just take a little more time. The biggest issues with any headers are not the spark plugs, its the headers leaking at the flages. Be it on the heads or a on the collectors. I have found that felpro header gaskets work very well. But they have to be felpro header gaskets. I have tried just about everything out there and those work best for me. Like I said before, I have had shorties on my truck a long time.

 

I am truly glad I asked for input I have some time to make a better decision on which way to go. Leaning more towards the shorties. I might as well change plugs and wires since I am right there.

 

Agree with the FelPros Kenny, just wish Summit would have done a better job sending the right gaskets with mine the first time.

 

Yea, the Summit gaskets that come with your new headers, suck. Also if you get painted headers, strip off that paint before you install your new headers, and get some VHT header paint. Follow the instruction on the can, and after repainting your new headers, and the paint is cured, then install your headers. I think my headers have been on my truck for 6 or 7 years or so and they still have no rust on them. Here are recent pics of mine. You can also see how the exhaust tubes are over the spark plugs.

.

 

the Summit gaskets that come with your new headers, suck.

^^^X2 - I just changed the other side yesterday, they are stiff and brittle. I used Cometic ones, I did the left side last year and it's still in great condition.

You can see where it was blowing by for a while.

 

I went with stainless. Been on for 6 months now. Got rid of the heat shields and went with accel ceramic boots. Drivers side with steering shaft, passenger side, and back by collector. That one was hardest but the truck is lifted so plenty of room underneath.

 

I really like the stainless. Did you from stock to headers? If so how much more torque did you gain? I am also changing to a cold air intake. I think I might just go that route. I have not looked at stainless how much did that run if you don't mind me asking.

 

I did. Same scenario as you, had a broken bolt and a leak on the stockers. Love the stainless and I’m glad I went with them, bout $650 shipped I believe. Hedman claims +18hp and +32ft/lbs... I think that’s optimistic, maybe with a tune. But yes low end was noticeably better and throttle response picked up throughout the rpm range. My truck already has magnaflows but I’m saving up for a custom tune. Then I think all those mods will be noticeable.

 

94 C1500 5.7 TBI... same situation - my stock manifolds were cracked, so instead of replacing them with stock, I replaced with stainless shorty headers. From there it was a Magnaflow 2.25 stainless, mandrel bent Y-pipe, Magnaflow stainless high flow cat with 3 inch out, 3 inch stainless pipe to Magnaflow stainless 3 baffle hi-flow muffler (single 3 inch in, dual 2.5 inch out), then 2.5 inch stainless mandrel bent tailpipes straight back to the rear under the bumper, exiting through 18 inch long, 3.5 inch outlet stainless tips. I don't know the exact improvement, but it was a noticeable torque and performance improvement, as well as a noticeable gas mileage improvement (almost 3.5 MPG more at a steady 2000 rpm, from aproximately 14.5 to approximately 18 MPG average - I check it at every fill-up. O'course, that drops considerably when I play with it a little). I had to use Stage 8 locking header bolts and the top of the line Mr. Gasket gaskets, as I was going through gaskets about every 4 - 5 months until I tried them. I also use high temp plug wire braided heat shielded sleeves to keep from melting plug wires.