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Jun 4, 2019 | 09:02 PM

#21

aklim

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevova

ROI there is no roi hot rodding a c4 corvette! That is why they are parted out vs sold. 100 hp can easily cost over 1k to achieve. A cross fire may offer the highest roi only because TBI is more tolerant of changes than MPFI. Yes $500 for headers. 1k for exhaust. 800 hot cam kit. Stroker easy 2k kit and machining, tuning for mods can get rediculous. Then the LS crowd intial thrifty plan 1500. Then better parts replacing 1st blown 5.3...ROI 500 used basic transportation trade off every couple years selling for what you have in it and buying a newer 500 special. Hopefully only costs are oil changes.

How do you figure? I spend (the "I" part) $1000 and get 100 HP (the "R" part) is a better return than spending $1000 on a good set of headers and getting 10 HP.

As part of a larger system, say intakes and a cam and heads, it gets more murky since it does allow you to maximize the gains of the other parts. As a $1000 mod that makes 10 HP at the top and not sure where else and how much, I'd say it is a lot of money for that little gain. If one's butt is that sensitive at WOT to feel the full 6HP as the article said or even 10-15 as a very liberal guess, I suppose it can work.

Last edited by aklim; Jun 4, 2019 at 09:37 PM.

Jun 4, 2019 | 10:45 PM

#22

Tom400CFI

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From: Park City Utah

Keep in mind that you don't need to spend $1k on "a good set of headers" that will "gain 10 hp". You can do better than that. A lot better.

Jun 4, 2019 | 11:37 PM

#23

aklim

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From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI

Keep in mind that you don't need to spend $1k on "a good set of headers" that will "gain 10 hp". You can do better than that. A lot better.

How much for how much? We know it will be more than a $345 set of great looking Phab headers. Even with a $400 set like that, paying for someone with a lift to put it in, unless you are sure you can slip it in, will be a few hundred bucks. More if they have to fab something else.

Jun 5, 2019 | 12:23 AM

#24

Tom400CFI

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From: Park City Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

paying for someone with a lift to put it in, unless you are sure you can slip it in, will be a few hundred bucks. More if they have to fab something else.

That could be true. Is that they only way to go about it? I bet it's not.

How much Aklim? Well....it all depends, doesn't it? Depends on how patient you are, where you get your headers, how capable you are, and on and on. Right? Right. So no one can give a solid "how much for how much" b/c it is going to vary for every situation. I can tell you this for certain, however: I won't EVER pay $1000 for headers. Or anywhere close to that. No way, no how. As for the gains? TBD with the Kart....

Jun 5, 2019 | 12:57 AM

#25

aklim

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI

That could be true. Is that they only way to go about it? I bet it's not. How much Aklim? Well....it all depends, doesn't it? Depends on how patient you are, where you get your headers, how capable you are, and on and on. Right? Right. So no one can give a solid "how much for how much" b/c it is going to vary for every situation. I can tell you this for certain, however: I won't EVER pay $1000 for headers. Or anywhere close to that. No way, no how.

As for the gains? TBD with the Kart....

I've done an R&R of a couple of engine and engine/trans combo in a place with a life and an overhead hoist for the engine removal. None of which my house has. In my current location, I had to farm out a starter job simply because it was impossible to lift the starter into place with me lying on the ground. Starter came out hard but getting it in without a lift and getting the bolts to start wasn't possible so a tow truck had to be called. So one more thing to ask is "What facilities do you have?". If I lived in an apartment with a parking lot that is shared, less is reasonably possible. My TPIS headers took about 4 hours to install. Shop rate is about $100 plus. I don't see a mechanic charging me less than $400 if I had to have a lift. So what is a decent set of coated headers worth when you want reasonable access to the plugs and something that lasts? EM coated are about $700. That does not include the Y pipe. So when, not if, when I have to get new headers, what will be $1000 or less? Assuming it is reasonably possible to do in the garage.

If you have a stock engine and that is the only difference, I'd love to see the numbers. I'd have to say I am skeptical of 15 and up gains on just headers alone.

Jun 5, 2019 | 01:16 AM

#26

Tom400CFI

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From: Park City Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

If I lived in an apartment with a parking lot that is shared, less is reasonably possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

So when, not if, when I have to get new headers, what will be $1000 or less?

Shop around, Aklim. Shop around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

If you have a stock engine and that is the only difference, I'd love to see the numbers.

Engine is stock, poorly maintained, 125k turd. Only mods are junk yard, Buick 3800 injectors ($48 for all 8), no air filter, no AC or smog pump and home-made dual side exhaust. Hope to baseline it before the end of the month.

Jun 5, 2019 | 07:49 AM

#27

ghoastrider1

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2006

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From: indy indiana

didnt feel any different when I installed headmans on mine but sure sounded better.

Jun 5, 2019 | 09:30 AM

#28

aklim

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From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom400CFI

It really depends on your motivation and initiative, Aklim. I've changed starters in parking lots. I've changed a fuel pump in a friends Mustang, in a Walmart parking lot. It's totally possible. Are YOU going to do that? Doesn't sound like it. Others can and will.

Shop around, Aklim. Shop around.

Engine is stock, poorly maintained, 125k turd. Only mods are junk yard, Buick 3800 injectors ($48 for all 8), no air filter, no AC or smog pump and home-made dual side exhaust. Hope to baseline it before the end of the month.

I'm past those days. I have little to no cartilage in both knees, not eligible for a knee replacement and a back that is in shaky condition at best. Light stuff, sure. If it needs a rack, absolutely not. Besides, regardless of who does the job, it doesn't matter to the spreadsheet when figuring out how much this car is costing me since the money either goes from the family account to the mechanic or my pocket.

Uncharacteristic vagueness from you. I have been shopping but found nothing new for under $700 even figuring no more than a few hours of time. Coated, easier install and reasonable access to the plugs and 1.75 inch

I'd be curious to see what the thing does with stock and only LT headers