1985 Headers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
1985 Headers
Considering Headers for my 85. If so I would want chrome, or polished.
Is there any headers that fit in with out any modifications? Some thing good with a good power ?
Also option would be new stock heat sheilds.
Advise wouild be great.
Dan
Is there any headers that fit in with out any modifications? Some thing good with a good power ?
Also option would be new stock heat sheilds.
Advise wouild be great.
Dan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,661
Likes: 3,363
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I have the TPiS headers. Install was a snap and they use the stock bolts so you dont have to modify AC or alternator brackets. They look really good too! 
Ill see if I can get a picture up tonight.
Ill see if I can get a picture up tonight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I also have TPIS headers on my 86'. I made a photo doc of the install. You can see it here:
http://members.***.net/effergyvette/...r_Install.html
The one thing I need to add to that web page is an update on the starter. I ended up using a 1988 Corvette starter from NAPA. 88' is the first year of the factory ministarter. The NAPA starter does not require shimming and starts quickly and easily. I went through the orginal generic ministarter and 3 of the NAPA units until I got one that worked properly out of the box. To NAPA's credit, I only had to pay for one starter. I have made a video of the car starting with a hot engine that I will add to the above page so folks can see what the car should sound like. Part of my long ordeal, was that I thought ministarters spun more slowly, and I didn't know what to look/listen for. The other starters would work, but they were slow and the hotter the engine got, the slower the starter spun. I also recommend a heat shield.
http://members.***.net/effergyvette/...r_Install.html
The one thing I need to add to that web page is an update on the starter. I ended up using a 1988 Corvette starter from NAPA. 88' is the first year of the factory ministarter. The NAPA starter does not require shimming and starts quickly and easily. I went through the orginal generic ministarter and 3 of the NAPA units until I got one that worked properly out of the box. To NAPA's credit, I only had to pay for one starter. I have made a video of the car starting with a hot engine that I will add to the above page so folks can see what the car should sound like. Part of my long ordeal, was that I thought ministarters spun more slowly, and I didn't know what to look/listen for. The other starters would work, but they were slow and the hotter the engine got, the slower the starter spun. I also recommend a heat shield.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
It looks like TPIS is the best way to go !
Any final pics ?
How much do they go for ?
Did every one have to install the mini starter ? And how much is that ?
More power / rumble ?
Excesive Heat from this ? And effects such as melting brake booster , etc ??
Thanks Dan
Any final pics ?
How much do they go for ?
Did every one have to install the mini starter ? And how much is that ?
More power / rumble ?
Excesive Heat from this ? And effects such as melting brake booster , etc ??
Thanks Dan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,661
Likes: 3,363
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
It looks like TPIS is the best way to go !
Any final pics ?
How much do they go for ?
Did every one have to install the mini starter ? And how much is that ?
More power / rumble ?
Excesive Heat from this ? And effects such as melting brake booster , etc ??
Thanks Dan
Any final pics ?
How much do they go for ?
Did every one have to install the mini starter ? And how much is that ?
More power / rumble ?
Excesive Heat from this ? And effects such as melting brake booster , etc ??
Thanks Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
It looks like TPIS is the best way to go !
Any final pics ?
How much do they go for ?
Did every one have to install the mini starter ? And how much is that ?
More power / rumble ?
Excesive Heat from this ? And effects such as melting brake booster , etc ??
Thanks Dan
Any final pics ?
How much do they go for ?
Did every one have to install the mini starter ? And how much is that ?
More power / rumble ?
Excesive Heat from this ? And effects such as melting brake booster , etc ??
Thanks Dan
- Only 85-87 use the larger starter, the ministarter came as original equipment in 1988.
- You will see about 15 RWHP from the headers. You will hear the engine more clearlyfrom the driver's seat, and the upper RPM "bark" will increase somewhat in volume. My idle (and overall sound) is still too quiet for my tastes. However, there is no drone what so ever. The car will lose some low end torque, but gain power above 4,000 RPM
- The only thing to worry about heat wise is the starter itself, which is why I recommend a heat wrap/shield. I bought one of those $30 heat reflective wraps to put around the starter. I can send you a pic if you want.
- At the time I bought the TPIS ceremic coated headers I believe they were around $750. I also had a shop do the final fit, so by the time you add in the ministarter (and perhaps a 1988+ positive battery cable - $50) You would be looking around $1200 if you do most of the work yourself.
Last edited by Square; Feb 7, 2009 at 10:43 PM.
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Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,661
Likes: 3,363
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,186
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From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Dan, I have the TPIS on my 89 for a few years now. They should bolt right up for you (some convertibles may have fitment issues due to the x-brace). Stock starter is OK although I put the insulating wrap around my starter for some heat protection. They look good and will give you a bit more sound depending on your exhaust set up. My motor is basically stock and I have Borla mufflers. I have run stock cat, no cat and hi-flow cat with the headers and still not noticed any performance change, just different sound - all good with the Borla. If I find some pix I'll post 'em. You should find them on the TPIS website probably around $700 or so shipped.
John
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
I have a starter 'heat blanket' if you are interested. It is in a garage cabinet b/c I found the blanket did a great job of holding the heat IN the starter after some run time.
My TPIS headers, on straight plug heads required the #7 tube to be dimpled to attempt to stop the spark plug boot burn-thru; repeatedly and causing a misfire with the 'short'. I finally went to ceramic boots after wasting $$ on pricey Taylor insulating boots.
The ceramic coating helps with appearance, but really helps the headers do their job much better; keeping the heat in the tubes where it belongs. See the thread about this topic WRT O2 sensors.
My TPIS headers, on straight plug heads required the #7 tube to be dimpled to attempt to stop the spark plug boot burn-thru; repeatedly and causing a misfire with the 'short'. I finally went to ceramic boots after wasting $$ on pricey Taylor insulating boots.
The ceramic coating helps with appearance, but really helps the headers do their job much better; keeping the heat in the tubes where it belongs. See the thread about this topic WRT O2 sensors.
