The great LT header search
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
The great LT header search
Ok so I'm in the market for a set of longtube headers for my 92 6-speed vert. I'm trying to compile a list of available options and the prices for each.
So far I already know SW, TPIS, Hooker, Melrose and Exotic Muscle all make them for my car but I'm curious to hear what teh going rate is for each of the options. I can do the install myself but need to know if there is more required for the system then I realize
Stainless Werks? know nothing about them
TPIS: $600 uncoated, $800 coated. Primary/Collector sizes? Any additional piping needed for install?
Hooker: what model number works for a 92? Any additional piping required?
Melrose: know nothign about this brand
Exotic Muscle: I've seen the headers for $671 on a GP here and the extensions are another $200. Are these the best deal?
Anyone out there with these brands, pls provide your input
So far I already know SW, TPIS, Hooker, Melrose and Exotic Muscle all make them for my car but I'm curious to hear what teh going rate is for each of the options. I can do the install myself but need to know if there is more required for the system then I realize
Stainless Werks? know nothing about them
TPIS: $600 uncoated, $800 coated. Primary/Collector sizes? Any additional piping needed for install?
Hooker: what model number works for a 92? Any additional piping required?
Melrose: know nothign about this brand
Exotic Muscle: I've seen the headers for $671 on a GP here and the extensions are another $200. Are these the best deal?
Anyone out there with these brands, pls provide your input
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 0
From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
I happen to be out in Tempe last week and stopped by to check in on Exotic Muscle. Got to chat with Trevor for more than an hour before the boss (Merle) made it in. Probably spent another half hour shooting the breeze with him. I'm running thier headers on my 396 Lt1 and have no complaints at all. The group purchases are really hard to beat. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 498
Likes: 21
From: Maine
I would pick up the phone and call the respective manufacturer of each header, ask your questions and then base your selection on customer service received, cost, and availability.
BTW I love my EM Headers.
BTW I love my EM Headers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
I went with the SW simply for the stainless steel. I think the SW, EM, TPIS, and Melrose are the premier brands and will all give you near equal performance and quality. They are all near the same $ too for a similar package (with SW uncoated).
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Falls tx
I just installed sw on my 95 last weekend, they look and sound great! The nice thing about stainless is it wont discolor, and cools rapidly. they sent me the headers, and all extension pipes to mate to my factory resonator.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...spagenameZWDVW
I hope that doesnt bother anyone posting a link. I'm just really curious about this brand. Anyone have experience or impressions on them? Their feedback from those who purchased them seem very happy. 1-3/4" primaries, 3" merged collector, jet hot ceramic coated for only $499?
If anyone can confirm that these are legit it looks like a tough deal to pass up
I hope that doesnt bother anyone posting a link. I'm just really curious about this brand. Anyone have experience or impressions on them? Their feedback from those who purchased them seem very happy. 1-3/4" primaries, 3" merged collector, jet hot ceramic coated for only $499?
If anyone can confirm that these are legit it looks like a tough deal to pass up
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
My sale for CF members is still going so I have Stainless Works. Melrose, and TPIS headers on sale. Hookers for the L98s as well.
SW is $1320 with cats or $975 without cats.
TPIS is $725 with or without emissions
Melrose is $775 with emissions, $725 without
As mentioned these are all quality brands. You just have to decide which you like best. You won't go wrong with any of them IMO.
SW is $1320 with cats or $975 without cats.
TPIS is $725 with or without emissions
Melrose is $775 with emissions, $725 without
As mentioned these are all quality brands. You just have to decide which you like best. You won't go wrong with any of them IMO.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
My sale for CF members is still going so I have Stainless Works. Melrose, and TPIS headers on sale. Hookers for the L98s as well.
SW is $1320 with cats or $975 without cats.
TPIS is $725 with or without emissions
Melrose is $775 with emissions, $725 without
As mentioned these are all quality brands. You just have to decide which you like best. You won't go wrong with any of them IMO.
SW is $1320 with cats or $975 without cats.
TPIS is $725 with or without emissions
Melrose is $775 with emissions, $725 without
As mentioned these are all quality brands. You just have to decide which you like best. You won't go wrong with any of them IMO.
do any of these bolt right up to the stock exhaust or will they all require an additional piece of piping?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
One reason that the SW is more expensive is that they will come with RT high flow cats welded to custom length ss pipes that go from the collector to your central resonator. I've had mine for over a year and love them.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
My advice would not to go near that guy. I sent him several messages about the headers fitment and constrution, and never got a straight answer from the guy. I asked for pictures of an set installed and was told the starter and oil filter had to be removed to install the headers? The oil filter?
I would not buy any thing from that guy. He is selling on Ebay only for a reason.
Randy
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I've got the TPIS coated headers. Well worth the money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 9
From: KB7TIF Ville NV
Tri Y
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...spagenameZWDVW
I hope that doesnt bother anyone posting a link. I'm just really curious about this brand. Anyone have experience or impressions on them? Their feedback from those who purchased them seem very happy. 1-3/4" primaries, 3" merged collector, jet hot ceramic coated for only $499?
If anyone can confirm that these are legit it looks like a tough deal to pass up
I hope that doesnt bother anyone posting a link. I'm just really curious about this brand. Anyone have experience or impressions on them? Their feedback from those who purchased them seem very happy. 1-3/4" primaries, 3" merged collector, jet hot ceramic coated for only $499?
If anyone can confirm that these are legit it looks like a tough deal to pass up
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
Out of curiosity, I gave this guy a call. His number's listed in the eBay link. He was quite communicative and forthcoming. Obviously I can't vouch for him past that at this point. But at some point in the not too distant future I believe I'll try a set. If someone gets some before I do, of course I'll be watching with great interest. But if not, I'll be the guinea pig. Based on the design, they have the potential to be a cut above, power-wise, from most of the other headers offered for our cars. Certainly I'll let you all know.