EMI or lightning headers?
 

Sorry guys I posted it wrong the first time! I have a 23 outlaw with a 496 mag and im looking at buying an aftermarket exhaust. I was wondering which would be better to get the emi or lightning exhaust? Im only looking at spending around $2000.
Happy new boating year!
Luke

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

A friend of mine has Lightning headers and they are really nice, both from a performance standpoint as well as being good-looking, and well constructed. Stainless inners and outers. Another friend has EMI Thunders with stainless risers and they are also high-quality. It's probably going to come down to which you can get the best deal on.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I don't think that you are going to find the stainless lightning headers for 2k. If you are using them in salt water, the stainless is a must. Of all the cast setups in the 2k range, I really like the Danas. Including the stainless risers, they are about 1800. I was about to buy a set myself until I stumbled into a good deal on a set of CMI's.

Rene

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Lightnings are great headers for the $ but like oldandtired said you wont find them for $2k.

We list them at $3100 but if you give me a call I can set you up with a better deal than that.
http://www.oneilloffshore.com/produc...id=882&exp=all

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I am thinking about getting the lightning black headers. They go for about $1900

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

pol98xc6, those are NOT stainless headers and will only last 3-4 years IF you drain them after every use and NEVER run in salt or brackish water.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

If your looking for cost effective exhaust we have RMI's for $849.

http://www.oneilloffshore.com/produc...id=881&exp=all

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I run the lightning headers on my 496 and I bought them and pressure tested them before my install and have had them for 2 years with no problems. I have 5" tips on my boat so I cut the reducers off the end and use a 5" hose to connect to the tips. Btw all Lightning headers are stainless steel on the inside .

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Talk to Fred @ Trick Marine for CMI's. See 496 link
866-921-4553
http://www.custommarine.com/headerapps/index.php

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

True but hte standard headers will not hold up to salt.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I don't think Fred deals with CMI anylonger but he may have some old stock. The CMI's are great but now we're really moving out of this guys budget.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Guys I run in fresh water if that helps

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I ran set of Lightnings on my 502 BBC Jet boat....Of course I always ran in fresh water but I was really happy with them....Great product for the money, if you run in FRESH water only.......................Great fit and finish and the powder coating held up very well. If I was in the market for a new set to run in fresh water only they would be my choice!

Jan over there is a great guy to deal with!

Bryan

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Jan over at?

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Lightning


he owns it..................or is in charge over there

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Jan is a straight up guy. And don't mind the name, he's a good ol' boy.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I really liked my lightnings,had them on my boat for 5 seasons in fresh water and they still looked like new when I took them off and switched to stainless marine 3's because of reversion concerns when I went to bigger heads,Smitty

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Still have them?

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

How do I get in touch with jan? Web or phone if anyone has it.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

When did Fred stop dealing with CMI?

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Ph (951) 678-5631

Call me after you talk to him, we can cut you a better deal than he gives retail.

Finn

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

ok thanks

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I sold my EMI's and installed Lightnings. The EMI is much better than stock, however I think anything the EMI's can do the Lightnings can do better because it is a true header. The fit and finish are excellent. If you get the black powder coated Lightnings and compare them in price to the stainless riser EMI you should be close in overall cost. However with the Lightnings you may have to rearrange a few accessories, although the power steering pump is a pain with the EMI's.
Good Luck

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Sounds like Im going to go with the lightnings!

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Sold them last year to my bud for his 95 525sc checkmate,Smitty

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Basically the manifold and header comparison is kind of a apples and oranges comparison. Bottom line is tubular headers make more power. So if power gains are your primary consern the Lightning headers win hands down. Lightning builds an extremely high quality hand crafted header. As for bang for the buck, well Lightning wins hands down again. I would like to let you know that we have the 496 Lightning headers #310-40308 in stock and ready for immediate delivery for $1999.99. If you would like to call me in regards to specific OSO member benefits I would be glad to assist you. Thanks, Brad.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I've run Lightnings on quite a few boats. They work great. I've got a set going on 4 years in fresh water. I just pulled the engine and I see no signs of rust. Of course you really can't inspect the inside.

I installed a set on a 496. It was a lot of work to get the water drains plumbed correctly, not exactly bolt on.

"Rumor" has it that Raylar is doing some comprehensive dyno testing of the Dana exhaust on various 496 combos. Hopefully he'll post results. Sounds promising.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

boatheaders.com is Lightnings home web site. I bought a set of the regular magnums ( freshwater ) to run on my old Pantera & I couldn't have been more pleased with them. The quality & fit was great ( especially for the $$ )
The flanges where also nice & thick like they should be.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I just seen somone already posted the website. ( It helps if I look @ the last post & not just the bottom of the 1st page. ):rolleyes:

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

I had lightings on my boat and never had any problems with the headers.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Here's a set of stainless in black.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

The 496 kit testing is no rumor. Dana Marine and Raylar were on the dyno for 3 days last week. Three engines were tested. A 496 mag (375 hp), A 496 with the Raylar 525 kit installed, and a 496 HO (425 HP). The results were good. We will post detailed information 1st part of this week.

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

cool I cant wait

Re: EMI or lightning headers?
 

Thanks, we're waiting on results:D Ray didn't want to disclose the results yet so that's why I said it was a "rumor" LOL.