turbotuner20v

I got my hands on a set of OBX headers and decided to take some pictures for you guys.

The order was for 1 7/8" inch primaries, 3" collector and 3" x-pipe. However, the package that was sent appears to be 1 7/8" primaries, 3" collector and 2.5" x-pipe. Communication with the vendor via email was easy, so hopefully this will be a quick/free correction.

I don't have measuring calipers but, I found the circumference of the primaries to be ~6", so this would lead me to believe the primary size is correct at 1 7/8".

The 2.5" x-pipe was the only part of the kit that I wasn't very satisfied with. It looks like they just burned through each of the pipes and welded them together. I'm not sure how other vendors do it, but compared to the nice stamped 3" 'X' peice I added to my C6Z exhaust, this is not very pretty.

The headers however appear to be very good quality. The primaries mate with the flanges very well, the pipes don't appear to be crush bent. The collector doesn't have a merge spike, but is generally clean.

C7/Z06 Man

The X-pipe internal crossover hole does not look to be "anywhere" as large as the crossover hole in my Chinese 3" X-pipe.

turbotuner20v

Yea... here's an example of what I have heard is the cleanest spliced x-pipe.

This is a 3" American Racing x-pipe

C7/Z06 Man

I would be tempted to cut a large round hole with a hole saw in the side of that x-pipe, grind the internal hole out to the weld line than weld the round plug that I just cut out back in.

The internal blend hole may not need to be that large but from the photo it looks a little on the small side to "me".

The rest of the pics of the internals from what I can see look fine.

PS: The "close ups" of the exhaust flanges show that the tubes come all the way through to the flange surface, mine did not come all the way through on the set that I bought.

The American Racing X-pipe looks good.

turbotuner20v

I'm surprised there aren't more posts in this... with all the OBX threads lately I thought one that documented the latest quality of the product could be helpful.

JUIC3D

I wasn't aware OBX had the option of a 3" X-pipe. I talked to a couple different people and 2.5" was what they offered for the C6.

If you do indeed get a 3" x-pipe, let me know as I'd be curious to pick one up myself and do a back to back dyno comparison to see if it improves on my 494whp/443tq number.

Liner

Very timely and thanks for posting. I plan to put these on in about a month when I'm in for the winter.

So, if the X pipe looks to be "less than desired", what's the best option... buy a different X pipe (ebay, corsa, or other), or maybe take the OBX to a muffler shop and have them "open it up"?

I'm curious to hear if you have any luck getting a 3" x-pipe. I also thought only 2.5" was available.

turbotuner20v

I'll definitely post a follow up after (hopefully) getting the order corrected with the vendor. The order was placed for a C6 Z06 system with 3" x-pipe, and this was confirmed via email with the store. The kit that arrived was identified by it's sticker as an LS2 kit though w/ the 2.5" x-pipe.

JUIC3D

Ah, that makes more sense.

I almost ordered the Z06 system but didn't want the hassle of fitting the muffler side of the 3" x-pipe to my 2.5" factory NPP. Honestly, I can't imagine it making very much of a difference and I'm very pleased with how everything turned out for my current mods.

Now--if I was going FI--that might be a whole different ballgame.

Keep us posted turbo

turbotuner20v

Grand Sport Man appears to be a pretty good welder from his other post I found, so I think his suggestion of cutting a hole in the side and grinding it away to clean it up, then replacing the hole 'plug' would be the best way.

I wouldn't want to spend too much money on other parts or correcting these headers, because at $636 shipped, they're a good deal... add in the new parts and labor and it may be tempting to get a real set of kooks.

I'd also be curious to know if you could just buy the headers themselves and fabricate your own x-pipe. If the price works out, this could be a good option for guys w/ good local shops who also want some adjustments doen to run 3" mid-pipe to 2.5" mufflers or something that isn't 'bolt on'.

turbotuner20v

Just out of curiousity, did you inspect your x-pipe and notice similar construction to the pictures I posted?

JUIC3D

I did actually. I looked everything over with a flashlight and didn't see the bottle neck that you have at the crossover point. I can't tell if it's the angle of the picture you took, or if it really is that narrow at that point. Mine looked more like the ARH picture you posted but not quite as clean.

It definitely wasn't as 'clogged' as the pictures you show though.

Liner

Agree... Just need to find a weld shop as good as Grand Sport Man


Also agree this would be a nice option. If I can't find a set of NPP exhaust, I'll likely go with Z06 bi-mode. I was resigned to using an adapter, which isn't bad, but it would be nice to have everything 3".

FloydSummerOf68

You mean they don't look like they'll encounter serious failure after some miles are on them like some sponsors have suggested?

Outrageous.

Thanks for your pictures

JUIC3D

I was waiting for you to chime in. . .

TQPE

Looking forward to seeing some pics of the install once you are finished as I also am looking at these headers for my C6

jon6.0

Do you mind PM'ing me where you got them from? I just got a Z06 axleback for my base C6 and that system interests me at that price point. I'm also not going to tune my car so I can keep the engine warranty and spending $1700 on headers doens't make sense to me.

C U IN REARVEIW

im sure you will have to tune if you do headers

JUIC3D

You dont have to tune when you get headers but you will have a CEL if you delete the cats. I drove around for weeks with the OBX and no tune, and put it on the dyno for a baseline before the cam. 421whp/398tq with intake, headers, and ported TB.

turbotuner20v

I'm waiting to see what the vendor does regarding the product mistake before I recommend them or pass on their information. I'll send you a PM once it's sorted out.