help selecting headers 97 silverado

[MattRage]

bought my son a 97 silverado ext step side for his first car.. since purchased he has lowered it 2/4, installed a roll pan, and has been working on the interior... he wants to get a set of headers for it but we are not sure what will have the best fit.. it is a 2wd v8 auto with ac and power steering.. they dont need to be fancy he is wanting to spend around $250 for a set.. only requirement is that there are bungs for the o2 sensors.. he is going to do 2 1/2 pipes dumped just over rear axle..

thank you for any help you can give

 

[bjones]

I run Hooker Competition headers intended for a 1992-1995 Silverado, they're 1 5/8" primaries to 2.5" collecters. Bolts up fine, fitment is perfect no problems. I'd recommend buying locking header bolts with it and using a good quality gasket. I also changed the 3 bolt flanges out for Flowmaster 2.5" ball flanges and that was a great upgrade. I went ahead and added O2 bungs to the collectors (they come with one in a primary pipe on the drivers side but the Vortecs need 2 and they work better in the collectors anyway) at the same time. They're worth the modifications to get them working.

 

[SCOTTYINWV]

Also note that you may need to swap to 3 wire heated o2 sensors with the headers

 

[FastOrange]

I run Hooker Competition headers intended for a 1992-1995 Silverado, they're 1 5/8" primaries to 2.5" collecters. Bolts up fine, fitment is perfect no problems. I'd recommend buying locking header bolts with it and using a good quality gasket. I also changed the 3 bolt flanges out for Flowmaster 2.5" ball flanges and that was a great upgrade. I went ahead and added O2 bungs to the collectors (they come with one in a primary pipe on the drivers side but the Vortecs need 2 and they work better in the collectors anyway) at the same time. They're worth the modifications to get them working.

What did you do about EGR?

 

[bow61509]

I ran pacesetter shorties on my 96 they we're a direct bolt on and already had ball flanges on them. They fit great and had the provision for the egr tube. And were only like 160 bucks. But I would suggest quality hardware and quality gaskets, my only regret was not getting the stainless ones because the paint on the ones I has burned off really quickly (which I expected)

Sent from the big block!

 

[FastOrange]

I ran pacesetter shorties on my 96 they we're a direct bolt on and already had ball flanges on them. They fit great and had the provision for the egr tube. And were only like 160 bucks. But I would suggest quality hardware and quality gaskets, my only regret was not getting the stainless ones because the paint on the ones I has burned off really quickly (which I expected)

Sent from the big block!

where did you get those?!

 

[bow61509]

where did you get those?!

Ebay...

Sent from the big block!

 

[bjones]

What did you do about EGR?

Cut the tube and pinched it off. Still passes visual and the EGR solenoid doesn't seem to care. No code, passed two years without any issues.