Right to the point. I drive a 2005 REG CAB, SHORT BED, 2WD, HEMI. I am wanting to put on NEW PERFORMANCE HEADERS , EXHAUST, & LOWERING KIT. I have been doing my research and comparing on multiple sites. First off I am not doing any of this for "GAS IMPROVEMENT", if that happens great, if not I dont care. I am in this for performance, and appearance. So a few of my questions are below to make it easier. And pictures are always appreciated. And if any of my questions insinuate wrong info please let me know.

1. From what I have read long headers are usually the better choice for performance. And ceramic coated stainless is the way to go as far as quality is concerned. But there are so many brands out there (i.e. Pacesetter, Hedmans,etc) and I am just not sure what a good one would be to choose ?

2. Exhaust research has tended to be a bit easier on me. I think in this question I am just looking for different opinions and why. Right now however I am leaning towards a Flowmaster or Gibson split side exhaust. What are your thoughts ?

3. The hardest thing I am finding info on is how to lower my truck. I see people using spring all the way around, some people use springs in front and flip kits in back. there are so many choices and I really dont know which way to go on this. I know the right will be a bit harder, but I got a truck and not a bentley so its a hard ride anyways. I care abotu handling, looks, and best thing for the money here. I am considering 2" front, and 4" rear because I saw a truck with it and it looked fantastic. Thoughts ?

4. Also when headers and exhaust are changed out does the Y pipe need to be changed or anything ?

Sincerely,

HEMI1980

 

Long tubes if you can get away with them for inspection! if you can get Pacesetters that are ceramic coated In&out, they will be the cheapest and best. Nobody has complained about them as for fitment. Stainless/ceramic coated are good but pricey. Now, Pacesetter has a Y-pipe no cats that isn't ceramic coated, this is the only downfall. maybe check with JetHot and see how much it all costs? i know there are some companies offering Stainless headers and cats but MAKE SURE they have a 3" collector!!! i think OBX has headers but they are 2.5" collectors.

Flowmaster is a chambered muffler. This restricts flow, all chambered style mufflers do. but they sound great. Flowmaster is aluminized and rusts. Most Gibsons rust as well.
I'd go stainless catback if I was you. Atleast T409, but T304(like Borla is best) 409 has slightly more mild steel and will merely surface rust. my Magnaflow sounds great and is T409, has mild surface rust, but won't ever rust through. makes the investement well worth it.

 

I had never heard of T304 steel, all I have seen is T409 until you mentioned it. Any thoughts on lowering ?

 

Check the lowering thread sticky.
I know nothing about lowering. Not that guy!..lol

 

Are SHORTY headers even worth the money ? I have just been reading around that long tubes are the way to go or people say dont get them. I see this header called a LOG header from GIBSON that I am curious about it. So can someone really tell me the difference between the two.