Header & exhaust question(s)

[Badco]

Hi all. I have visited these forums for a while now but just haven't got around to posting anything. I just sort of lurk around I guess.

I'm at a point in my trucks life where I want to extend its life and use and therefore want to increase the output a little. I have done the typical mods (intake, EGR, diffuser plate, etc.) and now want to start working on the exhaust.
Specwise, it's a '98 with the 4.3L and 94k miles. Yes it's getting a little long in the tooth but it hasn't caused me ANY headaches (except a pesky AC compressor :mad: ) and still pulls strong. I want more out of it.
I won't be doing everything at the same time due to the cost factor.
I was going to start out with a cat-back setup initally. I was thinking of going with Dynomax Ultra-Flow, single in (2.5") and dual (2.5") out with it ending behind each wheel. I don't like the straight out the back look.
There is a shop around where I work that would fabricate a custom Y pipe for less than what I could actually buy retail.
Last would come headers. I would like ceramic coated but they are pretty expensive (I think at least). I also have a concern about being to get to the spark plugs. Plug #3 is already a pain in the ass to get to. Would having new headers only add to the headache? Will the ceramic benefit me that much due to reduced heat inside the engine compartment?

Any suggestions or comments are welcome. If you have a better performing (and sounding) setup to recommend, lets hear it!!

[extreme gmc]

dynomax is a good brand of a cat back. i personally prefer magnaflow. plus it has a good sound to it. check into jba headers withthe silver ceramic coating. they are well worth it. just make sure to get some aluminuim or copper gaskets before you put them on. i personally perfer stage 8 locking header bolts, but the bolts that come with them are fine, you just have to go back and retighten them a coupleof times.
o yea, welcome to sic!!!

[Minitrucker]

I would go with 2.25 duals, especially if you are going Ultra Flow.

[LEADFOOT]

I have the JBA titanium ceramic coated headers and they are worth the headache to install. Yes abit pricy at $500, or atleast thats what they were when I bought mine. They do make the #3 plug a bit more of a pain in the ass to get out. And most of the header bolts you have to get to with a wrech and kinda guess on the torqueing thing, just keep checking them a couple of times. You can see what I have for exhaust, still have the stock Y-pipe. When I redid the exhaust I cut it at the "Y" and its not that bad. You will notice a bigger gain by doing the headers, removing the pre-cat (first cat) or changing the "after cat" exhaust than you would if you changed the Y-pipe.


Oh yeah, welcome to sic.

[Badco]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll start with the cat-back install first since it's easiest accomplish. :D