First off, I'll explain my situation. I have an 80 Camino that has a 350 in it. It's got stock manifolds, and one of the studs on the passenger side it broken. On top of that, it needs new exhaust, like a complete one. Instead of having to take that passenger manifold out to put in a new stud, it'd be just as much work to put some headers in. I am mechanically inclined, my job is an airplane mechanic. Also I searched a ton, but couldn't really find anything useful.

I DO NOT want full length headers. I am looking at a couple shorties for a couple reasons. This is not a performance machine, that's what my Camaro is for. Ease of installation; I don't want a ton of headaches. The two i'm looking at are here:

flowtech 11114flt (http://www.autozone.com/R,APP370112/vehicleId,1258504/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,3095/partType,00185/shopping/partProductDetail.htm)

hooker shorty (http://www.autozone.com/R,APP370983/vehicleId,1258504/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,3095/partType,00185/shopping/partProductDetail.htm)

Which are better of the two? In terms of fitment and flow? I'll be notching the stock crossmember and running a true dual setup with an h-pipe exiting behind the rear tires. Anyone have any recommendations on a kit, or just have a shop fab something for me? It does not currently have cats on it, and I don't wan to spend the money on them either.

Of the two you mention, Hooker. If I may make a suggestion, take a look at the Hedman Shorties. They are a super fit, and very hassle free. I would also go with 2 1/2 exhaust tube, and if you want good sound Flowmaster 40's three chamber, or a little more agressive sound, their two chamber 44's. If you have the equipment, your Mod is not too tuff, if not, you may be better off having a shop do it. They would have every tjing to Fab it the way you would like, easier than trying to modify a kit and making it do.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn18/coyoteon2/102-0281_IMG.jpg

Just a side note ~~~~ The Flowtech look as if they will give you a BIG PAIN IN THE A@# when it comes time to change Plugs.

:cool: i would also go with the hooker headers you listed since you dont need an equal length header. as for the rest of the exhaust system, i would go with a 2 1/4" pipe rather than the 2 1/2 as it is less expensive, and you dont need the added flow for a daily driver type vehicle. i would go with a good turbo style muffler to keep the noise and the droning to an absolute minimum.

I have full length headers and 2 1/4 exhaust with Dynomax Super Turbos. My system also has the h-pipe kit that is the generic Jegs kit. Its not to loud but you can still hear the Camino when I get on it. Under acceleration the tone is good but if you let off, you dont hear my exhaust at all.

Check out the video -
You can hear my exaust if you turn your speakers up.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/1985-El-Camino-with-true_164450.htm

Of the two you mention, Hooker. If I may make a suggestion, take a look at the Hedman Shorties. They are a super fit, and very hassle free. I would also go with 2 1/2 exhaust tube, and if you want good sound Flowmaster 40's three chamber, or a little more agressive sound, their two chamber 44's. If you have the equipment, your Mod is not too tuff, if not, you may be better off having a shop do it. They would have every tjing to Fab it the way you would like, easier than trying to modify a kit and making it do.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn18/coyoteon2/102-0281_IMG.jpg

The hedman's you suggested, are they the 68600? The price is about the same as the hookers, so they actually fit better?

To me it's more the Quality thing, Their ease of install is about the same

The exhaust shop I just called and said they could run duals for me with an h-pipe and mufflers for $325. They also said they'd do it without cats for me, and notch the crossmember on the driver's side. Also they said they could put a new stud in that manifold and it wouldn't be that much extra work. That doesn't seem like a bad price to me?

Do shorties perform that much better than manifolds? Like a lot or? I'm just trying to see if it's justifiable to spend the extra money for shorties, or have them put in a new stud.

If your just wanting to get it running and dont really care about any performance increase just get the stud fixed. Shorties dont get that much of an increase, at least not as much as full length.

As for the cost, for them to run my duals with H-pipe kit it was $150.00. I bought the Jegs crossmember so it came powdercoated black and looked good. I think it was $129.00. Just something to think about it.

$325. Isn't bad for a built to fit system w/ "H" pipe, muffs, tubing, and labor. As for Shorties vs stock, Nothing you would feel in the seat of your pants. More for the looks and that header twang sound from under the hood.

i have a set of hedman shorty headers/with wrap i used them for 6 months then pulled the small block and installed a 454. i can't use the headers anymore if you want them, i paid 99.95 new $40 bucks their yours. e-mail me at mar.kan.tony@hotmail.com these were very easy to install, no hammering necessay.

Make sure you get them coated. I learned the hard way with mine. They last alot longer and it wont get as hot under the hood. I think thats a step with headers that everyone trys to cut back on because of cost but its well worth it.