Bite the bullet
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
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From: Argillite KY
Bite the bullet
Well, I bit the bullet. Sort of. The OBX headers are listed for $499.00 or best offer. I just submitted an offer of $425. I wonder if they'll take it? FYI, Exotic Muscle has their coated 1 3/4 inch headers for $671. That's a hundred off the regular price. If OBX doesn't like my offer would I be better off with the EM headers. They will leave the AIR fitting off if I want and I would.
That's the one thing I don't like with the OBX. They have those silly tubes sticking up off them. O wonder if I could cut them off and TIG a piece of 304 stainless in there and do a little grinding, polishing and buffing?
That's the one thing I don't like with the OBX. They have those silly tubes sticking up off them. O wonder if I could cut them off and TIG a piece of 304 stainless in there and do a little grinding, polishing and buffing?
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Lake Orion Michigan
I offered $450 and they accepted the offer (shipping was an additional $45). I personally like the fact that they have the AIR tube fittings. It doesn't hurt performance, why not leave it on?
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Obviously, part of the decision depends on the need for 1 3/4" or 1 5/8" headers. OBX are smaller IIRC. But, a stainless header is pretty hard to beat.
Another consideration is that an EM order may require up to 3 months to fill. Last time I saw posts, they were struggling a bit. May have let their CF vendor status slip. And, most importantly, that $100 off deal has been the MO since I can remember.
If you want 1 3/4" and don't mind coated vs stainless, EM has a GREAT following with LOTS of happy owners. Just find out the stock status before ordering and enjoy them once they arrive.
If I was looking for headers and didn't mind the slightly smaller size, those OBX are probably the route I'd go. Seems like too good of an deal to pass up. Great reviews of the sets purchased so far.
Finally, FWIW, Vizzard recommends choosing the smaller of two sizes --IF-- you are on the fence about which size to buy.
Another consideration is that an EM order may require up to 3 months to fill. Last time I saw posts, they were struggling a bit. May have let their CF vendor status slip. And, most importantly, that $100 off deal has been the MO since I can remember.
If you want 1 3/4" and don't mind coated vs stainless, EM has a GREAT following with LOTS of happy owners. Just find out the stock status before ordering and enjoy them once they arrive.
If I was looking for headers and didn't mind the slightly smaller size, those OBX are probably the route I'd go. Seems like too good of an deal to pass up. Great reviews of the sets purchased so far.
Finally, FWIW, Vizzard recommends choosing the smaller of two sizes --IF-- you are on the fence about which size to buy.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Lake Orion Michigan
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
The pipes that come with the OBX headers go up to the resonator. I cut the stock pipes, just in front of the hanger (in front of resonator) and had the OBX pipes welded to the OEM pipes. It sounds great - very throaty sound and quite a bit louder at WOT. I should also mention that I took my car to the track today and the headers alone shaved 4 tenths and added 4 MPH to my previous best 1/4 mile pass.
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From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
Obviously, part of the decision depends on the need for 1 3/4" or 1 5/8" headers. OBX are smaller IIRC. But, a stainless header is pretty hard to beat.
Another consideration is that an EM order may require up to 3 months to fill. Last time I saw posts, they were struggling a bit. May have let their CF vendor status slip. And, most importantly, that $100 off deal has been the MO since I can remember.
If you want 1 3/4" and don't mind coated vs stainless, EM has a GREAT following with LOTS of happy owners. Just find out the stock status before ordering and enjoy them once they arrive.
If I was looking for headers and didn't mind the slightly smaller size, those OBX are probably the route I'd go. Seems like too good of an deal to pass up. Great reviews of the sets purchased so far.
Finally, FWIW, Vizzard recommends choosing the smaller of two sizes --IF-- you are on the fence about which size to buy.
Another consideration is that an EM order may require up to 3 months to fill. Last time I saw posts, they were struggling a bit. May have let their CF vendor status slip. And, most importantly, that $100 off deal has been the MO since I can remember.
If you want 1 3/4" and don't mind coated vs stainless, EM has a GREAT following with LOTS of happy owners. Just find out the stock status before ordering and enjoy them once they arrive.
If I was looking for headers and didn't mind the slightly smaller size, those OBX are probably the route I'd go. Seems like too good of an deal to pass up. Great reviews of the sets purchased so far.
Finally, FWIW, Vizzard recommends choosing the smaller of two sizes --IF-- you are on the fence about which size to buy.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
Hey Greg, any idea why the recommendation of the smaller size?
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From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
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Because the scavenging effect is enhanced by velocity. The balance point would be to have big enough diameter to not impede the flow of exhaust gasses but small enough to keep the velocity up. I've seen 1 5/8 used on 500 HP engines. Whether or not a 1 3/4 or 1 7/8 would have helped I'm not sure.
Thanks again.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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I'm not sure if the benefit is worth the cost either. Some people have reported decent gains. Others, including an online magazine test, have shown the gain (after installing long tubes) to be as little at 10rwhp for an LT1. That's normally attributed to the better stock exhaust system on an LT car. Variances can be attributed to the brand used and/or the tube size.
For example, someone just reported a gain of 4/10's after installing OBX headers on their car. That would be worth the cost!
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Aug 15, 2011 at 09:54 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Banned Loser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 53,423
Likes: 250
From: They say you learn from your mistakes, I must be a genius
2017 Corvette of the Year
2016 C4 of Year Finalist
Creator of the "Original" whining and crying thread
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17
The pipes that come with the OBX headers go up to the resonator. I cut the stock pipes, just in front of the hanger (in front of resonator) and had the OBX pipes welded to the OEM pipes. It sounds great - very throaty sound and quite a bit louder at WOT. I should also mention that I took my car to the track today and the headers alone shaved 4 tenths and added 4 MPH to my previous best 1/4 mile pass.
Did you do away with the stock cats? Are you running any cats at all?
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Lake Orion Michigan
Yes, I removed the cats. Even though I went with OBX's "offroad" pipes, they came with what appear to be (2) straight-through bullet style cats. I don't think they are a restriction at all, however.