Well we will just disagree here. You’re fine being called a key board warrior good for you. I don’t.
Shop doesn’t want to be questioned on what they do. Shop is in business to make money. That comment while many times true is not the professional way out. The op coming on this forum and posting it serves no positive purpose.
I’ll stop posting now as none of this makes me any money and is a waste of my time. I can be like a shop too. Later
Boys… Boys… Can’t we ALL get along???
This man knows what he is talking about. This is true and can also confirm his experiences with my own. This is why so many here are questioning the installation of these on your car and suggesting it will cause more harm then good. Talk to your shop about these details, they should be able to elaborate on the subject to justify their recommendation for your particular build. Give you the pros and cons so you can make an informed choice. There is always a pro and a con when modifying a vehicle
Look this is what this forum is about, a place to share different ideas, knowledge and experience’s. You may not agree with everyone here and that’s ok but I encourage you to take other opinions into account too. Just like the cats, you have heard the opinions here from those who have subject knowledge and you have heard from your chosen shop. Now its up to you to make the decision. Alot of guys here have been screwed over by places that claim to know what they are doing, this happens alot and its worse in the classic car space so I think everyone is just looking out for your best interest. I do hope you post your results positive or negative so its here for the future. I dont think you would have the same feedback experience on a platform like facebook where you actually get a bunch of keyboard warriors. Im happy we still have a forum in a world so driven by instant social media platforms.
I like to share different things I do on my car especially if they are different then the norm. Ive got a little bit of hate mail before over it too but you cant let that get to you, I appreciate the feedback good and bad.
With the controversial cats, they’re not attempting to make CA emissions, they’re first and foremost a quieting option akin to a resonator, but with the bonus of reducing smell. There’s nothing anyone’s posted here that’s dissuaded me they’re worth trying, especially as they’re not that expensive, the shop has extensive experience and is providing a warranty.
Is that okay with everyone? I’m excited to try something new, take one for the team as it were, and report what happens to the forum.
I’ll say one thing about the shop owner, he’s a pleasure to talk to, he’s real relaxed and doesn’t get bent out of shape over trifles.
why waste money on the headers?
Good question! I need a new exhaust, what I have now is leaking. As long as I’m at it, I want to optimize for the best outcome. My plate boasts “351 CLE”, I’m looking for some performance to back it up.
I asked ChatGPT what would be the benefit of Sanderson Shorty headers:
Real-World Expected Outcome on Your CougarAssuming you run:
You should feel:
Better throttle response
Stronger torque off idle and in cruise
Smoother power delivery
More efficient idle/exhaust note (not obnoxious)
I may as well chime in here. While I would not put Cats on my older cars, it is yours. Do what you like. I am interested in the final results. If I may, can you get an exhaust test dome before and after? That data might convince some sceptics of its effectiveness on that front as well as sound readings.
Good luck and I look forward to your after work done report.
It’d be nice to document all this, in the spirit of inquiry.
It’s in the shop now getting this work done, the earliest I’d get it back would be January 16th, but I’m not too optimistic about that.
I doubt a performance restoration shop will have exhaust test equipment. And besides, it’s having the Holley Sniper 2 FI, so that would also affect exhaust I think. A bonus is that the Holley will have sensors and a lot more electronics, so we might find out something. The O2 sensors are placed upstream, however, of the cats. When it’s all done I guess I can get an exhaust reading, to see how much better it is than what would be expected.
Since the exhaust is leaking now, and will have the aforementioned EFI, headers, new mufflers, etc. the effect of the cats on the exhaust sound won’t be isolated. I’ll be sure to post a video, however!
But that is going to be loud. It takes a lot to quiet 2 1/2 exhaust…ask my neighbors. Of course I have mufflers, then I open the cutouts……
just saying that the headers would save about 4-5 hrs shop time and cost, and they have to be maintained to not leak.
Well, I’m already down the path of performance upgrades— hotter cam, roller rockers, aluminum manifold, aluminum heads, EFI, electronics, hotter cam, etc, and I figure that headers are an essential part of the performance package. The Sanderson shorty headers are well-made and have a lot of satisfied customers. If they end up leaking, that’d hopefully be within the warranty on the work. There’s also reduced weight, 30-40 lbs. I’m taking every opportunity with upgrades to lose weight, which will add up to make a difference.
I don’t think the Sanderson headers will make it that much louder that cannot be obviated by the controversial cats and careful muffler selection. I’ve been asking for muffler recommendations on this thread, but no one’s piped in with a suggestion.
I’ll confirm exhaust note and tone changes with efi install. quieter even. This is mostly Caused from for much better the engine is running over the carburetor. Results may vary of course depending are your particular setup and carb tuning.
sorry, the ones I use are from pypes/ Violator. also some 40 series flow masters. I like to hear them.
I’m using the Sanderson shorty headers on my car. I had them ceramic coated and did the original install with ARP stainless bolts and RTV on the sealing surfaces per Sanderson instructions. After twice annual re-torquing of the bolts and blown out silicone from the loose fasteners, I pulled them, cleaned the surfaces and installed copper gaskets and Nord Lock washers on the bolts. No more loose fasteners nor leaks.
I’m using Borla mufflers and love the sound.
I don’t know exactly how the Sandersons will be installed, but this shop has installed a bunch of them, and probably knows all the tricks to prevent loosening and leaking.
I’ve been inclined to Borlas. It seems if you want the sound level of “touring” the resonators are needed. What model of Borla muffler do you have?
Exhaust leaks are inevitable. The only way to prevent that (Again most of my knowledge is GM related) is to go back and tighten the exhaust system again and again. Nobody does it. Just like valve cover gaskets.
Remflex gaskets seem to work better than anything else we have tried.
Nothing in the current Borla line-up matches what I have. Probably closest is the Universal series. I bought a complete Mustang exhaust system from them and had it modified to fit my car.
