L98 Headers - Yes/No
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (WHRITZY)
I'm thinking of doing like one of the guys on our Forum and just pulling my stock shortie setup and cleaning em up. Apparently there are stock obstructions to exhaust gas flow within them. This may be a good compromize till I see if I need long tubes to get into the 12s.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
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From: Ohio
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (WHRITZY)
WHRITZY, I think you need to add at least another choice..."leave it alone". If the motor is stock, going to the Hookers (1 7/8") is noticeably going to cost you low end torque.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,141
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From: McKinney Texas
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (Raysur)
Get Hooker Headers#2151($289). Have them fitted and coated afterwards($200) and you'll have a great setup.
, but why not just buy the ceramic coated ones already done?Only like 20 bucks more, and it is already done and stock.
Race Director
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From: College of Charleston, SC
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Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (Andy1983)
Getting them coated after fit saves the headers from being banged up somewhat.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (65Z01)
I'm thinking of doing like one of the guys on our Forum and just pulling my stock shortie setup and cleaning em up. Apparently there are stock obstructions to exhaust gas flow within them. This may be a good compromize till I see if I need long tubes to get into the 12s.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (vettenuts)
You're right as usual vettenuts. I saw a factory set that was port matched after being welded up on the outside. BIG difference. When I took mine off to go to the 2149's, it was surprising at *how much* the stock headers blocked the bottom of the exhaust ports. BTW, cleaning up the stock headers is a real *&%CH. Have a very good ($$$) carbide cutter, mask, gloves, longsleeves and glasses. They are made from type 409 stainless, work harden as you cut it, and give off some super sharp chips.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,641
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From: Southern California
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (WHRITZY)
Andy1983,
It's all about quality and appearance:cool:. You get these headers fitted right. If anything must be banged on it's alright. Then weld the O2 bungs and the EGR fittings. Then take them off and sand them smooth and get them coated at a speed shop. The Hooker coating isn't too good. And they aren't fully coated
(only coated on the outside). A speed shop can do the inside and outside of the header. Have them put on and you have a flawless set off headers. :cheers:
I don't think there are any emission legal longtubes for the Vette. So get #2151 that has no coating, no O2 bungs and no EGR fitting. It will cost around $40 more (total) than part number #2149 but the quality and appearance will be far better.
Thanks for the compliment ;).
[Modified by Raysur, 5:53 PM 9/23/2001]
It's all about quality and appearance:cool:. You get these headers fitted right. If anything must be banged on it's alright. Then weld the O2 bungs and the EGR fittings. Then take them off and sand them smooth and get them coated at a speed shop. The Hooker coating isn't too good. And they aren't fully coated
(only coated on the outside). A speed shop can do the inside and outside of the header. Have them put on and you have a flawless set off headers. :cheers:
I don't think there are any emission legal longtubes for the Vette. So get #2151 that has no coating, no O2 bungs and no EGR fitting. It will cost around $40 more (total) than part number #2149 but the quality and appearance will be far better.
Thanks for the compliment ;).
[Modified by Raysur, 5:53 PM 9/23/2001]
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
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From: Ohio
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (Raysur)
The Hooker 2149's have all the air & EGR tubes, and are therefore legal. (ex for the Calif. smog *****)
WHRITZY, I've picked up enough on the top end to offset what I've lost down low. My car has a .373 rear and an abundance of WRTQ, so event though I felt the loss, I still have a ton. I haven't dynoed it since the change, so can't quote any new numbers. I used to have 367tq. @ 3150, at the wheels, and it used to die at 5,000. Now it pulls hard to 54-5500. So I'm making more hp. A fair trade off.
WHRITZY, I've picked up enough on the top end to offset what I've lost down low. My car has a .373 rear and an abundance of WRTQ, so event though I felt the loss, I still have a ton. I haven't dynoed it since the change, so can't quote any new numbers. I used to have 367tq. @ 3150, at the wheels, and it used to die at 5,000. Now it pulls hard to 54-5500. So I'm making more hp. A fair trade off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,037
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From: Sarasota FL
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (h rocks)
You can clean up the stockers, but they won't even come close to allowing a mild motor to exhale. I opened mine up as much as possible and they're still killing a ton of power. I gotta break down and fit and coat my Hedmans.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Winter Park Fl
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (Aaron's 87)
I am using the Lingenfelter 1 5/8 inch headers. They were HPC coated from the factory and I had no problems with fitment or scratching on instalation. Any one who thinks they can "clean up" their stock manifolds to flow like a header is nutz. When you remove the stockers and see how pitifully small the tubes are compaired to a header system you will agree.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (C44ever)
I wasn't suggesting that stock L98 manifold cleanup was an equivalent to headers, but certainly is a low $$ improvement for those who may not be ready to do headers (or have the Ca smog ***** to contend with).
Anyway, for the cost of a set of gaskets and a weekend I'm going to try it; I'll post the track results (though maybe not this season).
Anyway, for the cost of a set of gaskets and a weekend I'm going to try it; I'll post the track results (though maybe not this season).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: L98 Headers - Yes/No (65Z01)
I agree. Some of us can't put in headers due to visual inspections during emissions checks. Cleaning up the stock unit will provide some boost (I am convinced based on what I have seen so far) and allow the car to pass the visual check. I agree that headers flow better, but in this case it is any port in the storm :cool:
