Question from the Vette Doctors
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Amityville 2010 & 2011 NMCA Late Model EFI Champions BEST Service & the BEST prices on the EastCoast
Question from the Vette Doctors
Hey Guys, Carmen here.
As some of you may already know, we joined forces with American Racing Headers to create a series of headers systems for C5's and C6's. We're seriously contemplating creating a line of ultra high quality 304 S/S headers systems for the LT1/L98 C4's but we'd first like to gauge interest from forum members. The headers will be long tubes, will feature merge style collectors with scavenger spikes and more than likely be available with 1-3/4" and/or 1/7/8" primaries. Of course we'll incorporate high flow metallic cats and X-pipe. Cost will be similar to our C5/C6 pricing as the quality will also be the same. Please respond with your thoughts and if you'd be interested in owning a set. Thanks
Carmen
As some of you may already know, we joined forces with American Racing Headers to create a series of headers systems for C5's and C6's. We're seriously contemplating creating a line of ultra high quality 304 S/S headers systems for the LT1/L98 C4's but we'd first like to gauge interest from forum members. The headers will be long tubes, will feature merge style collectors with scavenger spikes and more than likely be available with 1-3/4" and/or 1/7/8" primaries. Of course we'll incorporate high flow metallic cats and X-pipe. Cost will be similar to our C5/C6 pricing as the quality will also be the same. Please respond with your thoughts and if you'd be interested in owning a set. Thanks
Carmen
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,345
Likes: 230
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I think you'd have a winner. 
Long tubes, SS construction, backed by the Vette Drs.' reputation....how could you go wrong?
I know I see about one new post every week on this forum asking "which headers should I get?".
While I'm not personally in the market for headers (California inspection/smog and all....), there seem to be a significant number of C4 owners who are.
Good luck with your plans!
Larry
code5coupe
Long tubes, SS construction, backed by the Vette Drs.' reputation....how could you go wrong?
I know I see about one new post every week on this forum asking "which headers should I get?".
While I'm not personally in the market for headers (California inspection/smog and all....), there seem to be a significant number of C4 owners who are.
Good luck with your plans!
Larry
code5coupe
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Amityville 2010 & 2011 NMCA Late Model EFI Champions BEST Service & the BEST prices on the EastCoast
Originally Posted by RRT vette
What are the prices of the C5/C6 headers?RRtVette, We sell our C5/C6 systems for $1491.00 complete with cats. That pricing is very competitive with brands that aren't even all stainless.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Very few C4 owners will/can pay that much for a set of LT's IMO.
We need some LT's with an EO# for Cali.
Ditto on some LT's w/smog tubes for the LT5 that are within $$ reach.
I cant speak for everyone, but most the C4 guys are budget minded buying 5k vettes...Thanks for thinking about us though
We need some LT's with an EO# for Cali.
Ditto on some LT's w/smog tubes for the LT5 that are within $$ reach.
I cant speak for everyone, but most the C4 guys are budget minded buying 5k vettes...Thanks for thinking about us though
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
As far as I know, the only stainless C4 headers out there now are Stainless Works and they're 1-5/8" primaries. Seems like there's demand for 1-3/4 as well.
The only 1-3/4" headers are all mild steel (TPIS, Hooker, Exotic, etc). I like my EM's, but would have been happy to pay more for stainless. I also bought mine before Stainless works came out with theirs.
I agree with comments on price, though. Considering what's included, I think it's a reasonable price. In GENERAL, however, (no flames please) the C5 - C6 crowd has higher disposable income than the C4 crowd. To me, a good compromise would be to offer a separate package with just the headers (no cats or x-pipe) to keep cost down for those who otherwise couldn't afford the full system. I'm guessing that would easily drop it to the sub-1K mark.
Thanks for thinking of us -- great to see new C4 products coming to the market!
The only 1-3/4" headers are all mild steel (TPIS, Hooker, Exotic, etc). I like my EM's, but would have been happy to pay more for stainless. I also bought mine before Stainless works came out with theirs.
I agree with comments on price, though. Considering what's included, I think it's a reasonable price. In GENERAL, however, (no flames please) the C5 - C6 crowd has higher disposable income than the C4 crowd. To me, a good compromise would be to offer a separate package with just the headers (no cats or x-pipe) to keep cost down for those who otherwise couldn't afford the full system. I'm guessing that would easily drop it to the sub-1K mark.
Thanks for thinking of us -- great to see new C4 products coming to the market!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by vader86
If youre pricing it at C5/6 level, I wouldnt buy it.
I did not realize that the c-5 and 6 cost so much. I know quality costs money,I simply do not have a budget that large. I would be out as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
I could not imagine why hearders are so expensive when there is no machinery or movement or electrical or electronics invloved, even for a C5/6 why it so expensive. That price 1451 includes X-pipe too ?. or just headers + 2 Cats. If later is a case its expensive even for C5/6 too.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
Carmen, it's Larry B. Black LT4
Dennis worked on my steering rack a few months back.
Me personally, doing the road racing thing. I just keep it as stock as possible to keep cost down.
Dennis willl see me again soon, as my 3rd gear synco is bad...........
Larry
Dennis worked on my steering rack a few months back.
Me personally, doing the road racing thing. I just keep it as stock as possible to keep cost down.
Dennis willl see me again soon, as my 3rd gear synco is bad...........
Larry
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
Originally Posted by Tranzor
The Stainless Works headers are around $1200-$1300 with cats. If you can come in around that price (like say $1300) with cats and x-pipe, I think you have a winner. 
You'll definitely have a winner. Add a "Vette Doctors" mandrel bent cat-back (just pipes to rear mufflers ant nice tips) for $500 more and you'll own the market
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Stainless Works already makes a nice LT set for the C4. Exotic Muscle (whick I have) are nice also. And then ther is TPis. These are good quality and close in price. The C4 is getting older and cheaper and not alot of folks are going to pay big bucks for headers. what the C4 market needs is a good header at a LOW price. You will not sell many $1,400 sets to guys with cars that are around $6,000 to $12,000.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
I'd be interested as long as it included the hi-flow cats and made allowances for EGR. Sure the TPIS and SW headers are cheaper, but they do not include cats (IIRC) and they are probably not as effective as what the Vette Doctors could develop. I know in the C5 world, theres a pretty substantial performance difference between the "low rent" TPIS headers and the high-dollar Kooks, SuperMaxx, or LG Pro's.
Personally, I am disappointed with the current header options for the LT1.
Personally, I am disappointed with the current header options for the LT1.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Not to be ugly or anything Docs, but I could buy and install a newer engine in my car for $1,491. When I only about $6,000 for the vette thats about 25% of what the car itself cost. I'm sure it's a very nice setup though.