TPiS Headers, What are your experiences?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: JUPITER FLORIDA
Originally Posted by ZBRA
I put a set of TPIS long tubes on my Admiral '94 (LT1/A4). I was very impressed with the fit. I had to gring a couple of the braces for the A/C bracket, but that is to be expected. I don't blame that on TPIS at all.
I did have one major problem though. For the O2 sensors, they drill a hole in the collector just big enough for the head of the O2 sensor to fit through. They then weld the bung on top of that. On my driver side header, they did not line up the bung. I didn't notice it until after I had installed the header. When I put the O2 sensor in, the misalignment cocked the sensor to one side and caused it to crossthread. Once installed, you can't see down into the O2 bung. I had to pull the header back off to see what the problem was. I then had to cut off the O2 bung, weld a new one on, and get a new O2 sensor.
This could have been avoided if TPIS had either lined up the bung properly or drilled a larger hole before welding the bung on.
Last week I ordered new long tubes for my Black '94 that I now have. I decided not to go with TPIS due to the previous problems. I ordered them from Melrose along with a cat back including X-pipe. Very similar to this one but without cats and without AIR tubes:
I talked to EM a few weeks ago, but they do not offer a bolt on exhaust system to go with their headers. That's why I chose the Melrose over the EM.
I did have one major problem though. For the O2 sensors, they drill a hole in the collector just big enough for the head of the O2 sensor to fit through. They then weld the bung on top of that. On my driver side header, they did not line up the bung. I didn't notice it until after I had installed the header. When I put the O2 sensor in, the misalignment cocked the sensor to one side and caused it to crossthread. Once installed, you can't see down into the O2 bung. I had to pull the header back off to see what the problem was. I then had to cut off the O2 bung, weld a new one on, and get a new O2 sensor.
This could have been avoided if TPIS had either lined up the bung properly or drilled a larger hole before welding the bung on.
Last week I ordered new long tubes for my Black '94 that I now have. I decided not to go with TPIS due to the previous problems. I ordered them from Melrose along with a cat back including X-pipe. Very similar to this one but without cats and without AIR tubes:
I talked to EM a few weeks ago, but they do not offer a bolt on exhaust system to go with their headers. That's why I chose the Melrose over the EM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 38
From: springtown Texas
Originally Posted by redvette6spd
Oh man are these the chris cigwald headers 
no, they were on my GS when i bought it. but the prev owner gave me the recipt for them. its dated.... 03 i believe and they were over $750.00 i would contact TPIS but i figure it would be a waste of time.
and btw, the headers only had @ 10,000 miles on them when i noticed the cracks.
i hope my new EM longtubes last longer then that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 714
From: Bartlett IL
I've had TPIS headers on my 84 Xfire for 5 years. Bought them used off eBay and had them Jet Coated. Fit was excellent. They're good for at least 25-30rwhp. Combined with my TFS 23 Angle Plug Heads, changing plugs is much easier than with stock manifolds. And I used all the same bolts and brackets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,950
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette LA
Originally Posted by cplonner
That catback x pipe ....where did you get that? havent seen and bolt up system like that for the c4, the ones i heard of had to be custom welded.
The exhaust sytem and x-pipe that I bought are a direct bolt on to their headers. I don't know if they make a similar system that bolts to the stock manifold or cats.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Oak Ridge Tennessee
I have heard and read many opinions on the TPiS Headers and put them near the top, especially for the L98. Although not everyone has been happy, I would assume that is true with anything.
No science here, just listening to a few good vette owners..
No science here, just listening to a few good vette owners..
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Oak Ridge Tennessee
Originally Posted by ZBRA
Before you install them, look into the O2 sensor hole and make sure the bung is lined up with the hole in the flange.
That's my advice and comes from my experience with TPIS headers.
That's my advice and comes from my experience with TPIS headers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Oak Ridge Tennessee
Originally Posted by 85blkrose
mine went on beautifully. only bad thing was that i had to modify the hanger for the cat. nothing major though
85blkrose, your new engine looks great.
Last edited by rhelwood; Nov 28, 2006 at 07:28 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,682
Likes: 753
From: NEwhere Ohio
I have TPIS LT headers on my 93 vert with hotcam kit.
Fit was great, and they look good 4 years later. SOmewhat pricey though.
Anyways....I highly recommend you buy them WITH the EGR tubes. You can block off the EGR tube if you dont want to use it.
Why? Ive been fighting a nasty smelling idle for the past 4 years. ALthough I dont know for sure, its possible the EGR was helping make my idle smell a little better (by putting exhaust back into the intake during idle/part throttle operations), cooling down combustion temps so that nasty NOx emissions arent formed.
Buy them WITH the EGR tube.
Fit was great, and they look good 4 years later. SOmewhat pricey though.
Anyways....I highly recommend you buy them WITH the EGR tubes. You can block off the EGR tube if you dont want to use it.
Why? Ive been fighting a nasty smelling idle for the past 4 years. ALthough I dont know for sure, its possible the EGR was helping make my idle smell a little better (by putting exhaust back into the intake during idle/part throttle operations), cooling down combustion temps so that nasty NOx emissions arent formed.
Buy them WITH the EGR tube.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Duncanville Texas
Originally Posted by ZBRA
I put a set of TPIS long tubes on my Admiral '94 (LT1/A4). I was very impressed with the fit. I had to gring a couple of the braces for the A/C bracket, but that is to be expected. I don't blame that on TPIS at all.
I did have one major problem though. For the O2 sensors, they drill a hole in the collector just big enough for the head of the O2 sensor to fit through. They then weld the bung on top of that. On my driver side header, they did not line up the bung. I didn't notice it until after I had installed the header. When I put the O2 sensor in, the misalignment cocked the sensor to one side and caused it to crossthread. Once installed, you can't see down into the O2 bung. I had to pull the header back off to see what the problem was. I then had to cut off the O2 bung, weld a new one on, and get a new O2 sensor.
This could have been avoided if TPIS had either lined up the bung properly or drilled a larger hole before welding the bung on.
Last week I ordered new long tubes for my Black '94 that I now have. I decided not to go with TPIS due to the previous problems. I ordered them from Melrose along with a cat back including X-pipe. Very similar to this one but without cats and without AIR tubes:
I talked to EM a few weeks ago, but they do not offer a bolt on exhaust system to go with their headers. That's why I chose the Melrose over the EM.
I did have one major problem though. For the O2 sensors, they drill a hole in the collector just big enough for the head of the O2 sensor to fit through. They then weld the bung on top of that. On my driver side header, they did not line up the bung. I didn't notice it until after I had installed the header. When I put the O2 sensor in, the misalignment cocked the sensor to one side and caused it to crossthread. Once installed, you can't see down into the O2 bung. I had to pull the header back off to see what the problem was. I then had to cut off the O2 bung, weld a new one on, and get a new O2 sensor.
This could have been avoided if TPIS had either lined up the bung properly or drilled a larger hole before welding the bung on.
Last week I ordered new long tubes for my Black '94 that I now have. I decided not to go with TPIS due to the previous problems. I ordered them from Melrose along with a cat back including X-pipe. Very similar to this one but without cats and without AIR tubes:
I talked to EM a few weeks ago, but they do not offer a bolt on exhaust system to go with their headers. That's why I chose the Melrose over the EM.
do you have the contact information for Melrose?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
From: Tamarac Florida
Originally Posted by C4forlife
do you have the contact information for Melrose?
I've been saving for these as well. I spoke with one of the guys over there a while ago and they seem like easy folks to deal with. From my last conversation with them, which was over six months ago, I think this system is around $1700.00. Its a good chunk of change but it looks like a great system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,950
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette LA
Originally Posted by JBI
http://www.melroseheaders.com/
I've been saving for these as well. I spoke with one of the guys over there a while ago and they seem like easy folks to deal with. From my last conversation with them, which was over six months ago, I think this system is around $1700.00. Its a good chunk of change but it looks like a great system.
I've been saving for these as well. I spoke with one of the guys over there a while ago and they seem like easy folks to deal with. From my last conversation with them, which was over six months ago, I think this system is around $1700.00. Its a good chunk of change but it looks like a great system.
I paid $1162 for the headers and exhaust system. Now, I went with NO AIR tubes and NO cats. Cats will cost you more. Also, this sytem does not include any mufflers. It comes much like the picture above.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Oak Ridge Tennessee
My TPiS headers are being installed today. After a few problems trying to run true duals with cats on a convertible, I went with a 3 inch system back to one high flow cat, then to a magnaflow system. One thing I also did was dyno before the mod. I will have real numbers soon.
Last edited by rhelwood; Dec 11, 2006 at 04:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Originally Posted by rhelwood
My TPiS headers are being installed today. I went with a true dual exhaust system, with two bullet cats, and left the stock mufflers until I see how it sounds. One thing I also did was dyno before the mod. I will have real numbers soon.
I will be watching for results.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
Mine has a pinhole near one of the shoulders for the mounting bolts to the head that annoys me w/it's ticking. I bought the car w/them, and they are a few years old now, but the finish maybe could have held up better. Other than that I really like them.