long tube headers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 51
From: Angier nc
long tube headers
i have heard good things about tpis and exotic muscle.i would like to hear your experiences good and bad about these.or any other brand.i want to remain emissions compliant.which one do i get? 
what kind of hp gain could i expect?stock lt4 with open airlid,dynomax superturbos,and x-pipe in place of factory resonator.
what kind of hp gain could i expect?stock lt4 with open airlid,dynomax superturbos,and x-pipe in place of factory resonator.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
This topic comes up fairly frequently. If you use
the Advanced features of the Forum search engine,
you will find lots of threads.
To get you started, here is a recent one that covers
some of your questions.
Also, when you reach the stage where you are ready to
buy pipes, check in the C4 Parts for Sale forum. Right now
there is a sticky thread at the top for a Group Purchase
deal on Stainless Works headers. There have been recent
deals for Exotic Muscle pipes earlier in the summer.
.
the Advanced features of the Forum search engine,
you will find lots of threads.
To get you started, here is a recent one that covers
some of your questions.
Also, when you reach the stage where you are ready to
buy pipes, check in the C4 Parts for Sale forum. Right now
there is a sticky thread at the top for a Group Purchase
deal on Stainless Works headers. There have been recent
deals for Exotic Muscle pipes earlier in the summer.
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
My 2 cents
I have the EM Longtubes, Dr. Gas x-pipe, and the B&B Muffs and I absolutely love the sound. I was dead set on TPIS until I contacted EM. I spoke with Merle and he stated that their header is based off of the TPIS except for the modification they designed for better access to the spark plugs.
I installed them in a couple of hours and two years later, no problems. The coating looks great and w/ the stage 8 locking header bolts (which they sell as well) have been leak free since day 1. Other than my 4.11's, this was they biggest bang for the buck. Good luck.....
I installed them in a couple of hours and two years later, no problems. The coating looks great and w/ the stage 8 locking header bolts (which they sell as well) have been leak free since day 1. Other than my 4.11's, this was they biggest bang for the buck. Good luck.....
Last edited by GS348; Oct 5, 2005 at 05:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 8,683
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix AZ
I have the TPIS headers on my LT4, only becaue at the time Exotic Muscle didn't make theirs yet. I know the guys down at EM very well, and I watched their headers come together through the proto-type stages. If I had to make the choice again, I would go with the EM headers in a heartbeat. The TPIS headers are fine, but the EM headers are just a litte better! 
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
This topic comes up fairly frequently. If you use
the Advanced features of the Forum search engine,
you will find lots of threads.
To get you started, here is a recent one that covers
some of your questions.
Also, when you reach the stage where you are ready to
buy pipes, check in the C4 Parts for Sale forum. Right now
there is a sticky thread at the top for a Group Purchase
deal on Stainless Works headers. There have been recent
deals for Exotic Muscle pipes earlier in the summer.
the Advanced features of the Forum search engine,
you will find lots of threads.
To get you started, here is a recent one that covers
some of your questions.
Also, when you reach the stage where you are ready to
buy pipes, check in the C4 Parts for Sale forum. Right now
there is a sticky thread at the top for a Group Purchase
deal on Stainless Works headers. There have been recent
deals for Exotic Muscle pipes earlier in the summer.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I like my EM headers, I thought that 1 3/4 was a little large for a 5.7 however, the engine package that I am shooting for requires 1 3/4" primaries.
I know that this thread is going to keep going and going and ......
It is the old, size matters v/s the guys with the smaller equipment, chiming in with the mantra bigger is not better!
I know that this thread is going to keep going and going and ......
It is the old, size matters v/s the guys with the smaller equipment, chiming in with the mantra bigger is not better!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
I really really really want the Stahl autocross stepped headers 
Curse Corvette Kid NC for showing them to me... now they are the source of my wet dreams 
Curse Corvette Kid NC for showing them to me... now they are the source of my wet dreams
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Here's a good word for TPIS I have them and like them look great fit great quality is great. All the emission provisions hook up. But I must say I have not heard a bad word about EM or Stainless Works though
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
Originally Posted by Slalom4me
This topic comes up fairly frequently. If you use
the Advanced features of the Forum search engine,
you will find lots of threads.
the Advanced features of the Forum search engine,
you will find lots of threads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
I went with Hooker 1 3/4" coated emmission i guess 2149, hooker rear pipes, Tpis RT 3" cat, Tpis flowmaster force II Cat Back gain solid 17 Rwhp and 78 Rwt, shoot me an email for before and after dyno graph pic's.
Check my sig for mods. sami7241969@yahoo.com.
Check my sig for mods. sami7241969@yahoo.com.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by kwik_silver
I really really really want the Stahl autocross stepped headers Curse Corvette Kid NC for showing them to me... now they are the source of my wet dreams
Curse Corvette Kid NC for showing them to me... now they are the source of my wet dreams 
Gee, I didn't even have to wait until I got to work to get cursed today....
Originally Posted by hippy
How are the stainless and EM ones for getting at the plugs?
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Hazel Park MI
EM's on my 85. Good access to the plugs as mentioned. I would recommend NOT getting the ceramic coating on the inside, as with my 160 therm. I drop out of closed loop on the expressway even with a heated O2 sensor. Just my .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
I have the EM longtubes, RT cats, and B&B exhaust. Wonderful headers. I think the plugs are easier to get at than with stock manifolds. I have a bit of resonance, but with the Hotcam, they sound wicked. And if you're in a warm climate, have them coated inside and out.
Pro
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Oslo, Norway
I have an older C4 but the advantage with the TPIS is that you can bolt it on ab use all the stocl brackets and bolts. There is however one bolt that you have to have as a torx of philips or alike as it is very tight to the tube. that is not a bproblem though. I am satisfied with the coated ones as I have. It indeed reduces the heat from them. I have not had any Starter problems or fuel line problems., but I have not raced the car and got maximum heat from them, but for normal somewhat progressive driving it is ok. HP gain I have no figures but it obviously gave me gain. What was most interesting was that the fuel consumption decreased after the long tube installation. I have to say that I also did a catback changed at the same time with 2.5" tubes and good mufflers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 1
From: Bowie MD
I have the TPIS long tubes (coated) for over 4 years. Facts: They have never leaked, (unlike previous headers from Hedman or BlackJack). They sure were shiney when originally installed. Spark plug access is great, better than OE equipment. Car passes emmissions, as all smog stuff hooks up. The down side: The coating from the factory clogged the bolt holes and had to be drilled out prior to install. The Y pipe would not fit with the coating on. I had to dimple with hammer and socket in three places to get the bolts to be able to fit the Alum D113 stock heads without cross threading (this was even with the engine on a stand). After two years the the coating started to blister on the tops of the tubes near the spark plugs and the bottom of the headers. Both those areas are now rusty and have peeled/peeling coating. TPIS offered to recoat them at the two year mark, but I didn't want to pull them off and be without the car for a prolonged period. My next set of Headers may be stainless for the long haul.