Headers

I'm looking to put a set of headers on my '94 Chevy Z-71 extended cab. But I was wondering whats the difference between a $135.00 pair of headers and a $400.00 pair? What's better full length or shorty? Also is there a exact factory replacement pair I should get. I want to do true duels no Y pipe. Thanks for any information.

With short tube headers, there won't be many performance gains over the factory equipement.

Long tube headers will give you more torque, especially in the lower RPM's

As for price of headers...you get what you pay for. Get the $135 pair and you'll probably have leaks and all sorts of problems. get the $400 pair and you should be fine. The difference is in the materials used, the way they're bent, thicker head flanges, and many other things.

I would differ on there being no gains with a shorty header. While the seat-of-the-pants-ometer reading was subjective, a just over one mile per gallon increase in fuel economy was noticeable (13 to 14 city, 17 to 19 highway) for an '88 350 4X4. Granted full length headers would definitely give an increase in low end torque and high end ponies but be mindful of local and state regulations before going to true duals. Many states make it illegal to touch the cat unless there is a problem. Being from rural Georgia with no inspections I got around trashing the entire exhaust but had a time convincing the inspectors when I moved to North Carolina (they only gave in when I reasoned that the truck was that way when I moved to the state, I never mentioned that I did it.) Arguing that going to a pair of high flow cats over the restrictive single factory cat will actually lower emissions will get you no where with the anal retentive smog police (been there, done that.)
As far as price, you get what you pay for. $150 will get you a set of painted headers that will work, but $450+ will be stainless, nickel, or powder coated and may fit better. One last item, it is possible to obtain the same power from a single pipe system set up correctly. Unless you install a crossover between the duals, the single with a high flow cat and muffler is better. Don't take my word for it, many high performance magazines have done stories on this. I for one went with duals and am happy. ( I was happier before having to put a few items back when I moved to a place with inspections.)