First off, I've got a 92 SE 5-spd with 134k.

Alright, it's come to my attention that I'll need some new headers, and possibly a new O2 sensor. Cole Muffler quoted me the O2 sensor as $191, the headers as $288, and $50 for the labor. But...if I'm going to be dropping $500+ on my car, I'm going to try to get some more power out of it in the process.

So my questions :

1. My problem basically is a rotted/rusted out header pipe, especially where it connects underneath the car. My exhaust note has been getting progressively louder, and I've been losing a decent amount of power. Am I likely to need a new O2 sensor? They didn't tell me much at Cole about the O2 sensor, saying "This is what it'll cost without one, and this is what it'll cost with a new one". Advance Auto has an O2 sensor for $125, but do you guys think this is something I'll really need?

2. I'm assuming no matter what I'm going to need new headers, because they looked really nasty when I got underneath the car. Can anyone give me recommendations on aftermarket headers? I'm basically looking for something that'll give me a minimal gain over the stock headers, but not make the exhaust note much louder. I'm not looking to go all out with this or anything, but if I'm going to be spending at least $250 on headers, I'm going to get something a little better than stock. Also, is heat wrap on the headers worth it?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate it.

 

heres what you do, goto www.warpspeedperformance.com and order a ypipe (since your exhaust manifolds are most likely not rotted out, its just the stock ypipe, especially if you're seeing it underneath the car).
then goto www.internetautomart.com and order an oxygen sensor. do it all yourself or get someone experianced to help you. its actually a pretty easy job, especially since you dont have to take the stock oxygen sensor out of the stock ypipe (threads get siezed pretty easily from what i've heard), just unclip and remove as one...or you could take it somewhere that'll install everything for you.
either way, good luck

 

A few things.
1. Head pipe maybe? not header pipe.
2. the oxygen sensor is supposed to be replaced every 60k. when was the last time yours was replaced?
3. As stated above I sell the o2 sensors at very competitive prices.