Headers pros vs cons
The stainless works are about 5x more than any other offering on the market. I've been looking at headers off and on.
The pacesetters from what I found are just the headers with no crossover pipe so you will need to have some custom exhaust work done. There is a y pipe you can get to tie them together to a 3" pipe and bring them to the stock location. For the painted headers and aluminized y pipe runs about $420 from ebay.
OBX/Ebay stainless headers with y pipe and resonators will run about $530
Staiinless works for just headers will run you $854. You want to tie it to stock exhaust or an X pipe or cats, you are taking nearly $1700!!
From my standpoint, I've not seen any dyno graphs to show which one performs better than the other or compared to stock, so for me, the pace setter or the ebay stainless looks good. I can also bring whichever to work and get them coated in high temp material, including the chrome-like ceramic as well as a black ceramic, similar to what I did my catback with.
For me thought, I also want cats. Some here have made reference to using a magnaflow high flow cat with the long tubes. It would also appear that this is not bolt in? Unsure. I want my cats and do not want true duals as I don't want it that loud.
The pacesetters from what I found are just the headers with no crossover pipe so you will need to have some custom exhaust work done. There is a y pipe you can get to tie them together to a 3" pipe and bring them to the stock location. For the painted headers and aluminized y pipe runs about $420 from ebay.
OBX/Ebay stainless headers with y pipe and resonators will run about $530
Staiinless works for just headers will run you $854. You want to tie it to stock exhaust or an X pipe or cats, you are taking nearly $1700!!
From my standpoint, I've not seen any dyno graphs to show which one performs better than the other or compared to stock, so for me, the pace setter or the ebay stainless looks good. I can also bring whichever to work and get them coated in high temp material, including the chrome-like ceramic as well as a black ceramic, similar to what I did my catback with.
For me thought, I also want cats. Some here have made reference to using a magnaflow high flow cat with the long tubes. It would also appear that this is not bolt in? Unsure. I want my cats and do not want true duals as I don't want it that loud.
Thread Starter
Sgt Shawshank
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 18
From: Batesville,AR
Originally Posted by scobar
The stainless works are about 5x more than any other offering on the market. I've been looking at headers off and on.
The pacesetters from what I found are just the headers with no crossover pipe so you will need to have some custom exhaust work done. There is a y pipe you can get to tie them together to a 3" pipe and bring them to the stock location. For the painted headers and aluminized y pipe runs about $420 from ebay.
OBX/Ebay stainless headers with y pipe and resonators will run about $530
Staiinless works for just headers will run you $854. You want to tie it to stock exhaust or an X pipe or cats, you are taking nearly $1700!!
From my standpoint, I've not seen any dyno graphs to show which one performs better than the other or compared to stock, so for me, the pace setter or the ebay stainless looks good. I can also bring whichever to work and get them coated in high temp material, including the chrome-like ceramic as well as a black ceramic, similar to what I did my catback with.
For me thought, I also want cats. Some here have made reference to using a magnaflow high flow cat with the long tubes. It would also appear that this is not bolt in? Unsure. I want my cats and do not want true duals as I don't want it that loud.
The pacesetters from what I found are just the headers with no crossover pipe so you will need to have some custom exhaust work done. There is a y pipe you can get to tie them together to a 3" pipe and bring them to the stock location. For the painted headers and aluminized y pipe runs about $420 from ebay.
OBX/Ebay stainless headers with y pipe and resonators will run about $530
Staiinless works for just headers will run you $854. You want to tie it to stock exhaust or an X pipe or cats, you are taking nearly $1700!!
From my standpoint, I've not seen any dyno graphs to show which one performs better than the other or compared to stock, so for me, the pace setter or the ebay stainless looks good. I can also bring whichever to work and get them coated in high temp material, including the chrome-like ceramic as well as a black ceramic, similar to what I did my catback with.
For me thought, I also want cats. Some here have made reference to using a magnaflow high flow cat with the long tubes. It would also appear that this is not bolt in? Unsure. I want my cats and do not want true duals as I don't want it that loud.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 103
From: Vancouver, BC
The stainless works are about 5x more than any other offering on the market. I've been looking at headers off and on.
The pacesetters from what I found are just the headers with no crossover pipe so you will need to have some custom exhaust work done. There is a y pipe you can get to tie them together to a 3" pipe and bring them to the stock location. For the painted headers and aluminized y pipe runs about $420 from ebay.
OBX/Ebay stainless headers with y pipe and resonators will run about $530
Staiinless works for just headers will run you $854. You want to tie it to stock exhaust or an X pipe or cats, you are taking nearly $1700!!
From my standpoint, I've not seen any dyno graphs to show which one performs better than the other or compared to stock, so for me, the pace setter or the ebay stainless looks good. I can also bring whichever to work and get them coated in high temp material, including the chrome-like ceramic as well as a black ceramic, similar to what I did my catback with.
For me thought, I also want cats. Some here have made reference to using a magnaflow high flow cat with the long tubes. It would also appear that this is not bolt in? Unsure. I want my cats and do not want true duals as I don't want it that loud.
The pacesetters from what I found are just the headers with no crossover pipe so you will need to have some custom exhaust work done. There is a y pipe you can get to tie them together to a 3" pipe and bring them to the stock location. For the painted headers and aluminized y pipe runs about $420 from ebay.
OBX/Ebay stainless headers with y pipe and resonators will run about $530
Staiinless works for just headers will run you $854. You want to tie it to stock exhaust or an X pipe or cats, you are taking nearly $1700!!
From my standpoint, I've not seen any dyno graphs to show which one performs better than the other or compared to stock, so for me, the pace setter or the ebay stainless looks good. I can also bring whichever to work and get them coated in high temp material, including the chrome-like ceramic as well as a black ceramic, similar to what I did my catback with.
For me thought, I also want cats. Some here have made reference to using a magnaflow high flow cat with the long tubes. It would also appear that this is not bolt in? Unsure. I want my cats and do not want true duals as I don't want it that loud.
I don't think there would be that much of a difference regarding performance, but I know Stainless Works does dyno test their exhausts and all of their work is hand-made by a TIG welder that has over 20+ years of experience. I don't know about OBX or Pacesetter but I have seen their headers on eBay and have considered it. But I have personally seen an exhaust from Stainless Works in person on a Ram 1500 (not mine, but one belonging to a friend) and their work is top notch. I would say their welds are equivalent to some high end Japanese and European brands that I have experienced.
Given the pain-in-the-*** factor, and considering I want to own my truck until the cam phasers round themselves off into pulleys, I'd stick to something that I know will outlive the truck.
Oh yeah, I forgot to modify my post. Stainless Works or Dynatech for the win! Dynatech makes some kick *** exhausts too.
If it isn't 300 series stainless, it certainly isn't going on my truck. $420 for aluminumized steel is a rip off, for a few hundred more you can get a full stainless cat-back. I'm not paying more than $100 for something that'll corrode in a few years. Hell I wouldn't pay anything 'cause I wouldn't put it on.
I don't think there would be that much of a difference regarding performance, but I know Stainless Works does dyno test their exhausts and all of their work is hand-made by a TIG welder that has over 20+ years of experience. I don't know about OBX or Pacesetter but I have seen their headers on eBay and have considered it. But I have personally seen an exhaust from Stainless Works in person on a Ram 1500 (not mine, but one belonging to a friend) and their work is top notch. I would say their welds are equivalent to some high end Japanese and European brands that I have experienced.
Given the pain-in-the-*** factor, and considering I want to own my truck until the cam phasers round themselves off into pulleys, I'd stick to something that I know will outlive the truck.
Oh yeah, I forgot to modify my post. Stainless Works or Dynatech for the win! Dynatech makes some kick *** exhausts too.
I don't think there would be that much of a difference regarding performance, but I know Stainless Works does dyno test their exhausts and all of their work is hand-made by a TIG welder that has over 20+ years of experience. I don't know about OBX or Pacesetter but I have seen their headers on eBay and have considered it. But I have personally seen an exhaust from Stainless Works in person on a Ram 1500 (not mine, but one belonging to a friend) and their work is top notch. I would say their welds are equivalent to some high end Japanese and European brands that I have experienced.
Given the pain-in-the-*** factor, and considering I want to own my truck until the cam phasers round themselves off into pulleys, I'd stick to something that I know will outlive the truck.
Oh yeah, I forgot to modify my post. Stainless Works or Dynatech for the win! Dynatech makes some kick *** exhausts too.
The pacesetter heads in the painted finish are about $240. Just headers. The Stainless works are $854 for just headers, no shipping. Just headers. The crossover pipe for the pacesetters is aluminized. If you want to tie into your stock exhaust, cats, etc, you will be well over $1000 on the stainless works.
I just want to make it clear for others that are looking at doing headers.
For me, I am leaning strong towards the paesetters. Yes, they are steel and the crossover is aluminized, however, I can also bring them to work, media blast them, and ceramic coat everything. Even if the aluminized pipe needs to be replaced, it is $117 for it shipped. So heaers $250+pipe=367. I found the headers on amazon for $238-$250 shipped. It is hard to justify over a grand on the stainless works. I am sure it is a solid product and won't/am not arguing that.
Doing some research on the ebay headers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEADER-EXHAU...sories&vxp=mtr These are made by M2 Motorsports, I've not had a chance to look deeper.
Pacesetters or the ebay stainless are 2 hot contenders for me right now. Either way, they will come to work and get coated. If I get 7-10mil thickness on the headers, my under hood temps should drop as well
I've also not been able to find any dyno graphs of stock vs. LT.
12 Second Truck
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 133
From: NC
Per Troyer performance the typical LT gains over stock are around 15-20hp naturally aspirated and around 30hp for forced induction. I am running Dynatech's that are ceramic coated. Love them and swear by them but I also got a heck of a deal. Less then a $1000 for the whole set up including the cross over and cats. Normally the whole kit will run you around $1500.
Thread Starter
Sgt Shawshank
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 18
From: Batesville,AR
Originally Posted by Blown Ford
Per Troyer performance the typical LT gains over stock are around 15-20hp naturally aspirated and around 30hp for forced induction. I am running Dynatech's that are ceramic coated. Love them and swear by them but I also got a heck of a deal. Less then a $1000 for the whole set up including the cross over and cats. Normally the whole kit will run you around $1500.
12 Second Truck
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 133
From: NC
Shorties are good if you need to replace your factory manifold due to a crack or leaking. No improvement on flow or power. Keep in mind that to get the full power potential out of the headers you need tuning. Mike Troyer has been able to get 15-20rwhp out of a naturally aspirated 5.4 with longtubes. Seth with your true dual magnaflows you should easily see these gains. I believe JDM and VMP have seen similar results. The bottom emd torque improvement is very nice too. Helps get these heavy beast moving.
Last edited by Blown Ford; Sep 11, 2012 at 04:43 PM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
Back in my hopping up Honda's days(early 90's) Pacesetter was the muffler to have,to bad they only lasted 1 year if you lived in a snow prone area where lots of salt was used.I dont know if they have changed since though.