I was looking for some good headers for my gt and i saw WCF's headers. I also was going to purchase the WCF's flowmaster 40 series. I was wondering if anybody has installed either or both on their car and how did you like it? How does it sound? I was going to get the headers ceramic heat coated too.

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fast and reckless

I've got the headers. I like them. I installed them the same time as my borla catback and when I removed the cat so hard to say what sound/performance increase was due to the headers alone. Overall, I'm definatly happy with the set-up. Anymore questions, let me know.

I had a set, I didn't like them. I wouldn't buy another set from them, or anything else for that matter.

YMMV

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by daniel87fierogt: I was looking for some good headers for my gt and i saw WCF's headers. I also was going to purchase the WCF's flowmaster 40 series. I was wondering if anybody has installed either or both on their car and how did you like it? How does it sound? I was going to get the headers ceramic heat coated too.

Make sure you ask them if it will pass smog here in California, the ones I got will not and soon will be sold.

quote Originally posted by daniel87fierogt: I was looking for some good headers for my gt and i saw WCF's headers. I also was going to purchase the WCF's flowmaster 40 series. I was wondering if anybody has installed either or both on their car and how did you like it? How does it sound? I was going to get the headers ceramic heat coated too.

Don't know about WCF's headers, but I did
do FOCOA's headers only. The sound was
nice. I have since added flow master CAT.
They are also not certified in California,
but I think this is a small chance to take.
I have passed smog tests in CA several
times. Anything to improve the stock headers
is a plus.

How difficult is it to remove the headers and put back the stock if required by California Smog? If it’s easy I would take the chance but I can’t see myself dropping the engine every two years if the smog people have a problem with non-California approved headers.

quote Originally posted by Larry Nakamura: Don't know about WCF's headers, but I did do FOCOA's headers only. The sound was nice. I have since added flow master CAT. They are also not certified in California, but I think this is a small chance to take. I have passed smog tests in CA several times. Anything to improve the stock headers is a plus.

There as some very nice ones on Dennis LaGrua's web site. Their stainless steel and sell for $395. If nothing else, they solve the problems we all face with potential cracks and poor GM fabrication; and, they look great. Darrell Morse also sells something similar.
b

quote Originally posted by jlruiz67: How difficult is it to remove the headers and put back the stock if required by California Smog? If it’s easy I would take the chance but I can’t see myself dropping the engine every two years if the smog people have a problem with non-California approved headers.

Not too easy at all. Best way is to install them with cradle out.

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Palm Beach Fieros
http://pbfieros.tripod.com

Thanks for making my point, to me is not worth the risk of smog issues in California. Any one wants a set off used WCF long tube headers with Y pipe?

quote Originally posted by Alex4mula: Not too easy at all. Best way is to install them with cradle out.

quote Originally posted by jlruiz67: Any one wants a set off used WCF long tube headers with Y pipe?

how much?

With the flow master CAT my smog numbers
were like a new car or better. The smog shops
don't look for the headers. They look at the
EGR system, timing, fuel cap. I don't believe
they will even look at the exhaust, unless it
is very loud. I have no hestitations in
taking it to the get smoged. Also, hear of
alot of people the pass without a CAT. Just
my feelings.

PM sent

quote Originally posted by GTFiero1: how much?

It has been proven on a dyno that installing the full set of headers on a stock 2.8L will decrease low-end torque. Do a search for 1FST2M6 and exhaust, Travis dyno'd a few different set-ups.

Don't bet on it. Every time I've been emissions tested here in Colorado, they've looked at the exhaust AND the cat.
DM

quote Originally posted by Larry Nakamura: Also, hear of alot of people the pass without a CAT. Just my feelings.

I haven't done their headers, but I bought the 40 series flowmaster from them.
I am very happy with it. It sounds like a little v8 until you get past about 3500 RPM, then it sounds like some exotic european car. It's kind of expensive, but it doesn't need to be modified to be put in.
Be sure your installer uses 2.5" piping to make it more deep and throaty, and headers will make it sound even better.

Do you use low-end torque by porting and polishing the stock manifolds?
Thanks.
b

quote Originally posted by Bruce: Do you use low-end torque by porting and polishing the stock manifolds? Thanks. b

For a stock 2.8L, Porting the stock exhaust is the easiest (and least expensive) way to gain some horsepower and torque.

Orief,
What is the effect on low end torque?

Don't bet on it. Every time I've been emissions tested here in Colorado, they've looked at the exhaust AND the cat.
DM

Different states look for different things. When I lived in Kansas, they checked to make sure all tires were matching sizes. Something Calif. doesn't worry about.

Both my trucks have headers with cats. The only thing I've ever seen them do here in So. Cal. is check to see cat's are installed.

quote Originally posted by Bruce: Orief, What is the effect on low end torque?

Low end torque remains. Actually it goes up by about 1 ft/lbs at the low end and you gain about 2-3 ft/lbs at peak and about 3-4hp at peak using the ported stock manifolds.

With the full set of headers on a stock 2.8L I think Travis lost 3-4 ft/lbs at the low end but gained like 5-8hp at the high end.

WCF has some "normal" manifolds that don't have the tubular set up that shoots red flags with the smog guys. Might be easier to sneak by with them and have better flow at the same time.

It all seems to be up to how much the smog guy is paying attention. I've seen FOCOA headers pass smog only because they were painted black and the guy wasn't paying attention.

http://www.westcoastfiero.com/headers/stock_manifold_large_page.html

[This message has been edited by WKDFIRO (edited 12-09-2003).]