Headers ? Yes or No?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Blue Springs Missouri
Headers ? Yes or No?
I'm an old Harley guy that is a recent Corvette owner of a pristine mostly stock 1990 C4. It has Flowmaster cat back exhaust that sounds great and it has the optional 3.33:1 gears and the frisbee has been removed. The car is beautiful and less than 65K miles. I am doing some minor mods and had the plenum and runners ported and powder coated flame red. I am considering adding headers to the exhaust and have been reading the threads. WOW, folks....all over the place. I talked to a 30 year Corvette mechanic and he said.....Ehhhh....they're a pain, give you maybe 10-15 more hp, a little more sound, but be prepared for $600 installation costs above the cost of the headers and regular maintenance on gaskets, occasional spark plug wire, etc.
Being a Harley guy , I am all about low end torque and could care less about top end. I am also comfortable around a wrench but time and job and family and other pursuits won't allow me hours in the garage for days and days of self installations. QUESTION....Would I be farther ahead to spend my money and time on cosmetic and minor upgrades for the summer car shows and drive-ins.....or will I be greatly pleased with spending $$1000+ on headers?
Being a Harley guy , I am all about low end torque and could care less about top end. I am also comfortable around a wrench but time and job and family and other pursuits won't allow me hours in the garage for days and days of self installations. QUESTION....Would I be farther ahead to spend my money and time on cosmetic and minor upgrades for the summer car shows and drive-ins.....or will I be greatly pleased with spending $$1000+ on headers?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I'm an old Harley guy that is a recent Corvette owner of a pristine mostly stock 1990 C4. It has Flowmaster cat back exhaust that sounds great and it has the optional 3.33:1 gears and the frisbee has been removed. The car is beautiful and less than 65K miles. I am doing some minor mods and had the plenum and runners ported and powder coated flame red. I am considering adding headers to the exhaust and have been reading the threads. WOW, folks....all over the place. I talked to a 30 year Corvette mechanic and he said.....Ehhhh....they're a pain, give you maybe 10-15 more hp, a little more sound, but be prepared for $600 installation costs above the cost of the headers and regular maintenance on gaskets, occasional spark plug wire, etc.
Being a Harley guy , I am all about low end torque and could care less about top end. I am also comfortable around a wrench but time and job and family and other pursuits won't allow me hours in the garage for days and days of self installations. QUESTION....Would I be farther ahead to spend my money and time on cosmetic and minor upgrades for the summer car shows and drive-ins.....or will I be greatly pleased with spending $$1000+ on headers?
Being a Harley guy , I am all about low end torque and could care less about top end. I am also comfortable around a wrench but time and job and family and other pursuits won't allow me hours in the garage for days and days of self installations. QUESTION....Would I be farther ahead to spend my money and time on cosmetic and minor upgrades for the summer car shows and drive-ins.....or will I be greatly pleased with spending $$1000+ on headers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Yep, I would go with headers. The L98 exhaust manifolds were terrible. They're a joke, you may as well just block off the exhaust ports on the heads and you'd get the same flow as the manifolds.
If you don't need emissions, you can get a set of Hedman Longtube Headers for like $195, they don't have the components for Secondary Air Injection or EGR. They are known to leak around the collector flange, but some Permatex Ultra Copper fixes that.
If you want low end torque, there are a lot of choices, you can get probably around 500 lb ft. of torque at the crank if you build it up, ,maybe more. I can imagine it would probably be a pretty scary ride.
If you don't need emissions, you can get a set of Hedman Longtube Headers for like $195, they don't have the components for Secondary Air Injection or EGR. They are known to leak around the collector flange, but some Permatex Ultra Copper fixes that.
If you want low end torque, there are a lot of choices, you can get probably around 500 lb ft. of torque at the crank if you build it up, ,maybe more. I can imagine it would probably be a pretty scary ride.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Blue Springs Missouri
That seems to add to my conundrum
I installed headers on my 86 nine years ago. Easiest header install I've ever done. If you have access to a welder you can easily do it all yourself. You have to weld on the flanges for the collectors, modify the dipstick tube a little and the alternator and a/c braces. Never had gasket leaks or burned a spark plug wire. Just make sure to get ceramic coated headers.
I've done the cam, and lifter, and exhaust mods and Super Carb on my 1985 FXEF myself and the results are amazing......but all relatively simple, straight forward and gave me a 50% jump in h.p. for under $1000 total . But the wide glide front end mod, all the chrome and the ram air intake, and the paint get the most attention at ride ins. Seems life as a Corvette owner might be a little different.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
No access to a welder, and that's the problem I've read on the threads . No such thing or almost no such thing as header "bolt-ons" . Y pipes, modifications to this and that , welding and removing and reinstalling. Question is.....unless you want to race , is it worth the extra 10-15 h.p. and $1000 + other than to say your ride has headers?
I've done the cam, and lifter, and exhaust mods and Super Carb on my 1985 FXEF myself and the results are amazing......but all relatively simple, straight forward and gave me a 50% jump in h.p. for under $1000 total . But the wide glide front end mod, all the chrome and the ram air intake, and the paint get the most attention at ride ins. Seems life as a Corvette owner might be a little different.
I've done the cam, and lifter, and exhaust mods and Super Carb on my 1985 FXEF myself and the results are amazing......but all relatively simple, straight forward and gave me a 50% jump in h.p. for under $1000 total . But the wide glide front end mod, all the chrome and the ram air intake, and the paint get the most attention at ride ins. Seems life as a Corvette owner might be a little different.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I have Hooker Ceramic coated on my 89.. Adding just headers should give a fair performance boost to your car, since you have already ported the plenum and runners ( I hope you did the manifold also) and opened up the exhaust, you should see more improvement then someone that just puts headers on a completely stock car.. Hedman are the cheapest for Ceramic headers , the rest are all fairly close in price.. I wouldn't get anything other then Ceramic headers since there's no maintainence on these for as long as you own the car...( nothing worse then having to paint rusty headers)..I will tell you that later adding a high flow intake system will greatly add to the performance of your car.. Intake and exhaust are known to be the best first step for improving the performance of the L98 Corvettes....
..It's up to you to decide if the power is worth the price..The problem is , once you start modding , it's hard to stop...
...WW
..It's up to you to decide if the power is worth the price..The problem is , once you start modding , it's hard to stop......WW
Last edited by WW7; Feb 19, 2014 at 10:37 AM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Blue Springs Missouri
Really appreciate the replies and you guys are spot on. This forum is really a wealth of information and filled with great people who love their vehicles. The looks that bright red c4 gets are priceless, and just owning a Corvette and the joy of driving it is awesome. I'm a teacher and driving it to school and taking the prime spot in the faculty lot has the kids thinking I'm the coolest with a Harley AND a Corvette, and has the faculty thinking all of a sudden I won the lottery. That L98 has a nice punch to get moving and I like the low end torque. I think I'll save my $$ for the headers right now and use the money for some nice cosmetic upgrades and under the hood powder coating and chrome.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: Providence RI
Really appreciate the replies and you guys are spot on. This forum is really a wealth of information and filled with great people who love their vehicles. The looks that bright red c4 gets are priceless, and just owning a Corvette and the joy of driving it is awesome. I'm a teacher and driving it to school and taking the prime spot in the faculty lot has the kids thinking I'm the coolest with a Harley AND a Corvette, and has the faculty thinking all of a sudden I won the lottery. That L98 has a nice punch to get moving and I like the low end torque. I think I'll save my $$ for the headers right now and use the money for some nice cosmetic upgrades and under the hood powder coating and chrome.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Blue Springs Missouri
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 44
From: NC
Headers on an L98 are worth a whooole lot more than 15.
Proper headers (especially long tubes) are good for more like 20 to 25 hp.
And the sound quality difference alone made it worth every penny I spent for mine. I went one further and did the entire exhaust. Headers, Xpipe, High Flow cats, high flow mufflers. The factory setup isn't even a true dual exhaust 2 into 1 back to 2 might as well just be a muffler with 2 outlets. Especially with that 1970s era cat acting as the "cross over" bridge.
The stock manifolds I'm not sure what they were designed for as they actually obstruct the exhaust ports considerably.
(same on any 305 TPI car too for that matter)
You might even pick up a couple mpg like I did from the swap to headers. Either get Ceramic coated, or get stainless. (I went Stainless) so that it is a one and done upgrade
Unfortunately..now the HP bug has bit me hard.... very hard. I'm pondering heads, cam, and a 400 swap in the future now.
Proper headers (especially long tubes) are good for more like 20 to 25 hp.
And the sound quality difference alone made it worth every penny I spent for mine. I went one further and did the entire exhaust. Headers, Xpipe, High Flow cats, high flow mufflers. The factory setup isn't even a true dual exhaust 2 into 1 back to 2 might as well just be a muffler with 2 outlets. Especially with that 1970s era cat acting as the "cross over" bridge.
The stock manifolds I'm not sure what they were designed for as they actually obstruct the exhaust ports considerably.
(same on any 305 TPI car too for that matter)
You might even pick up a couple mpg like I did from the swap to headers. Either get Ceramic coated, or get stainless. (I went Stainless) so that it is a one and done upgrade
Unfortunately..now the HP bug has bit me hard.... very hard. I'm pondering heads, cam, and a 400 swap in the future now.
Last edited by MavsAK; Feb 19, 2014 at 11:36 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 1
From: St. Petersburg, Fla.
The one thing I will say, EVERY installer stresses that it is a three piece install with the seams at the first defroster line on the left and right sides.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
Only photo I have of mine that you can see the tint. I had that installed as one piece.
Last edited by eatmydst1234; Feb 19, 2014 at 11:52 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Here in AZ everything is tinted except the windshield. That is a shock that you are getting that response to the hatch. Hedman long tube ceramic coated headers. With my 1988 improper installation caused me a huge headache. I had to remove everything off the firewall to access the bolt furthest back on passenger side. Not sure how else you can avoid it to bolt the headers on ? Only other option was lift the motor out of the car. I have pics on my profile if you care to see the space problem. Well worth the work needed. Good luck and please keep us up to date.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 2
The photo I posted above shows the hatch on my car tinted. It was in fact done all one piece. I have seen the tint done in 3 pieces and it looked good too, but no idea how well that would last. If they did it in multiple pieces they put the seam over the defrost lines.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
mine is being done tomorrow morning. This shop have been in bussiness for over 20 yrs at the same place so I know they are good Iv seen tons of their work. They are doing the rear in 1pc I dont know why the told you that. Find another shop
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Ya THINK?!? 
No bugs in yer teeth either.
Any mods to the L98 should be accompanied with a tune.
My personal experience is replacing the cam had a much more meaningful power and sound improvement.
Yes, a tune is necessary.
However, your intake mods will have some benefit and the bottom end torque will be rewarding.
So to answer your question directly, No. Pass on the headers
No bugs in yer teeth either.
Any mods to the L98 should be accompanied with a tune.
My personal experience is replacing the cam had a much more meaningful power and sound improvement.
Yes, a tune is necessary.
However, your intake mods will have some benefit and the bottom end torque will be rewarding.
So to answer your question directly, No. Pass on the headers
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 56
From: West Chester PA
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
ARH makes a quality product and they fit without having to "dent" anything for clearance