Bestr Choice In Headers?
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Conway SC
Bestr Choice In Headers?
My plan is to install a set of long tube headers on my 1994 LT1 Corvette with new high flow cats and keeping what I can of the Power Effects exhaust that is presently on the Vette. The Vette is used mainly for drag racing. I have port matched stock heads & intake, 1.65 roller rockers and the GM "hot cam". The bottom end is completely stock. I run a "beefed-up" automatic with a Pro Torque 2800 stall converter and a Dana 44 rear end with a 3.34 gear. I also have an SLP air intake system on the Vette.
The header I was thinking about buying was the Smooth Flow long tubes from Melrose. I saw some photos on the Forum and really liked the way these headers fit. A buddy of mine has a Melrose set on his '93 Vette but his Vette is dyno tested at 605 RWHP (7800 RPM) while mine has been dyno tested at 278 RWHP. Also I have learned the Melrose headers have 1.75" Primary Tubes which seem very large to me for a motor like mine that never sees more RPM's than 6200. I seem to remember that primary tubes larger than 1 5/8" can rob an engine of low end torque and really aren't effective until reaching 7,000+ RPM's. Is my memory correct? Should I look for a set of headers with smaller primary tubes or am I worring about something that is really a none issue?
In its current set-up and the cool October air the Vette has run 12.65 @ 111 MPH but the summer heat can slow it down by 2/3 tenths. I'm hoping the headers will allow me to pick-up 20 to 30 RWHP and help me into the 12.5's. Any information that can be offered concering a headers primary tube sizing will be appreciated. It seems every time I have my mind made-up to buy something for my Corvette a new factor is introduced and I've put off buying a set of headers long enough. Thanks for the advice.
The header I was thinking about buying was the Smooth Flow long tubes from Melrose. I saw some photos on the Forum and really liked the way these headers fit. A buddy of mine has a Melrose set on his '93 Vette but his Vette is dyno tested at 605 RWHP (7800 RPM) while mine has been dyno tested at 278 RWHP. Also I have learned the Melrose headers have 1.75" Primary Tubes which seem very large to me for a motor like mine that never sees more RPM's than 6200. I seem to remember that primary tubes larger than 1 5/8" can rob an engine of low end torque and really aren't effective until reaching 7,000+ RPM's. Is my memory correct? Should I look for a set of headers with smaller primary tubes or am I worring about something that is really a none issue?
In its current set-up and the cool October air the Vette has run 12.65 @ 111 MPH but the summer heat can slow it down by 2/3 tenths. I'm hoping the headers will allow me to pick-up 20 to 30 RWHP and help me into the 12.5's. Any information that can be offered concering a headers primary tube sizing will be appreciated. It seems every time I have my mind made-up to buy something for my Corvette a new factor is introduced and I've put off buying a set of headers long enough. Thanks for the advice.
