83 GT headers

[TK83GT]

Ok now I know the stock y-pipe on my 83 is terrible for performance but with my current budget I am just wondering will a set of shorty headers for a 86-93 5.0 bolt up to my factory y-pipe? It would help me a lot to be able to build my engine and put heeaders on it and use everything else for a while tell I saved enough to do a full dual line exhaust system. Any ideas or anyone done this before?

[grabbergreen84]

I think only the '85 headers will bolt in directly. You might as well just wait, and do the later headers and true-dual exhaust at the same time.

[FM2NOTCH]

on the cheap you can use the 86-93 headers and gutted H pipe, then install a cat back system or have a muffler shop make one. you'll need a double hump crossmember from 86-93 also

[83GTRAG]

I have an 83, headers and all, its still 175HP car. I would save the money and enjoy the car. If you want a snap, put your money in rear gears

[JACook]

'85 headers won't work with the '83 Y-pipe. The '85 Y-pipe has WAY bigger tubes than the '83. They're also
larger than the stock '86+.

[TopGear85]

I'm with everyone else...just save your money until you can change the whole exhaust. It's just not worth it to only swap the headers. I also agree with 83GTRAG that a higher rear gear ratio will make the car a lot more fun, and it's a pretty cheap mod. I would do that and add a short throw shifter before I swapped just the headers. Although you could do nothing and just save for a complete dual exhaust?

[84 POS]

Thought id chime in. Only mod to the 84 pos (as far as performance) are gears. Made a world of difference in the seat of the pants. Well worth the money and cheaper than exhaust. My next mod will be a short throw shifter since its the fun factor that im looking for. Was going to do more but...life happens. Enjoy it before the snow comes.
Chuck

[TK83GT]

i ended up with a set of 85 gt headers on ebay for 15$ and 18$ shipping. i am gonna try to hook them up to stock 83 y-pipe being its already cat free (hollow cats when i bought the car) and flowmaster 44 may go to muffler shop to fit up but its what i got on my budget daughter was born 11-13-14 at 7:26 pm so she is my top prioriy

[JACook]

Congrats on your new little one, but I honestly don't see that happening without making a step-down adapter
into the '83 Y-Pipe. IIRC, the two down legs on the '83 pipe are only 1.75" ID, while the ones on the '85 Y-pipe
are 2.25". Or to put it another way, the widest point of the flare joints on the '83 Y-pipe are about the same as
the I.D. of the '85 header outlets. They won't quite fit inside, but it wouldn't take much trimming.

The stock 2" '86-'93 H-pipe is about as small as you can go without an adapter. Not to mention the '85 header
outlet studs are 1/2" farther apart than the '83s, so you'll need different clamps. Hopefully the muffler shop can
make something up that will work for you.

[TK83GT]

ok i bought a set of used bbk shorty headers and luckily sold the 85 gt headers on ebay now just to find a catback used and cheap lol