Just headers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 73
From: Georgetown TX
Just headers
1989 automatic mostly stock
do you think I will really notice any ( in the seat of the pants) power if I install headers for street driving only I have deleted all cats, put on better mufflers and added K & N filter to cut open Air box.
do you think I will really notice any ( in the seat of the pants) power if I install headers for street driving only I have deleted all cats, put on better mufflers and added K & N filter to cut open Air box.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Unlikely since it's less than 10% increase in hp. Changing axle ratio will give more SOTP performance. The stock exhaust manifolds aren't so great, you may only notice an improvement in mpg.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
For what you would have to spend to get good headers that are coated and easy to reach plugs, I'm not sure if it could justify $1000 or more unless the gain is radical. Now as part of a system with the intake and a Tune, sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
IT amazes me that 34 years after the L98 came out....people are still having this discussion about the benefits (or not) of headers on an L98. There is 34 years worth of data, showing that the benefits are.
The Majority that I've read speak highly of LT headers on L98's. I think all agree that the stock manifolds are bad/restrictive. Are headers the best SOTP single mod? Probably not, but they're far from the worst, on an L98.
The Majority that I've read speak highly of LT headers on L98's. I think all agree that the stock manifolds are bad/restrictive. Are headers the best SOTP single mod? Probably not, but they're far from the worst, on an L98.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
IT amazes me that 34 years after the L98 came out....people are still having this discussion about the benefits (or not) of headers on an L98. There is 34 years worth of data, showing that the benefits are.
The Majority that I've read speak highly of LT headers on L98's. I think all agree that the stock manifolds are bad/restrictive. Are headers the best SOTP single mod? Probably not, but they're far from the worst, on an L98.
The Majority that I've read speak highly of LT headers on L98's. I think all agree that the stock manifolds are bad/restrictive. Are headers the best SOTP single mod? Probably not, but they're far from the worst, on an L98.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,504
Likes: 73
From: Georgetown TX
Yes I know what the gains are according to tuning experts, but I wanted to know what it feels like in the seat of your pants before I spend money just to say I’ve gain some horse power, but can feel no difference on the street
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Headers are good for 15-20 hp. Headers do improve engine modifications such as cam, intake... etc. You have already gutted exhaust that will reduce gain felt. If you haven't going to true duals (losing the Y pipe) will add a little more with the headers.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Is the SOTP really a good way to feel a change? I'm not sure how sensitive a person's butt is when coupled with the placebo effect. I have known a lot of people that felt the performance difference from many a mod only do be shocked at how the car actually performs on the strip or the dyno. Many have sworn all kinds of stuff they can feel but the track didn't show it. I know someone who actually went worse consistently when the 58mm TB was installed vs the stock. So would there be gain, probably. Would your mind play tricks on you because you spent money and you feel something? More than likely. My bet is you will feel a good SOTP feeling. How real, not sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
It can be. Certainly in this thread it is, b/c the OP originally asked us:
OP is specifically asking for SOTP difference.
The other thing about "SOTP only"....is for people sho don't compete/measure/track their cars....SOTP IS all that matters. The fun/feel of the car is really all that's important for those folks.
That is all true. I was "that guy" at one point myself. 
In this case....we can be pretty darn certain (from history) that the OP won't go slower with headers.
The other thing about "SOTP only"....is for people sho don't compete/measure/track their cars....SOTP IS all that matters. The fun/feel of the car is really all that's important for those folks.
I'm not sure how sensitive a person's butt is when coupled with the placebo effect. I have known a lot of people that felt the performance difference from many a mod only do be shocked at how the car actually performs on the strip or the dyno. Many have sworn all kinds of stuff they can feel but the track didn't show it.
In this case....we can be pretty darn certain (from history) that the OP won't go slower with headers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
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From: Park Ridge New Jersey
we did this on my buddy's '89, I wish I took a picture of the L98 and LT1 manifolds side by side, big difference. Maybe a nice (cheap) mod on a lightly modded vette. My buddy did a mild cam, LT1 manifolds into Y-pipe, hi flow cat into his existing Borla cat back
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 394
From: Lakeville MI
Do you think you can feel peak gains of 6 HP and 6 Lb-Ft?
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/pit-...-money-street/
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/pit-...-money-street/
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Do you think you can feel peak gains of 6 HP and 6 Lb-Ft?
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/pit-...-money-street/
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/pit-...-money-street/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
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From: near the thumb in the mitten
30 years later Hot Rod states headers are a waste of money. Hot Rod said dump the efi in the 80's. Hot Rod is a opinion and marketing machine. Now the push is LS in everything. So don't waste money on a SBC or Gen 2 you need a 5.3 LS and a turbo. Hot Rod says so.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,467
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
What does the dyno report say? That tells me what the ROI could be. If you dispute what they found on a dyno, because of the methodology, that is another story.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
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.