What Headers Will Work with My Heads?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
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From: Victoria VA
What Headers Will Work with My Heads?
I know my corvette L98 aluminum heads have D Port openings and raised from stock locations. Do I need to buy headers made specially for my heads? let me know what I may need. I'm running 96 corvette exhaust manifolds with the big 2 1/2" openings would I benefit from headers over what I have now? I kind of feel these are like shorty type headers.
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
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From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
On your year if the engine is mostly stock, I would say Hedmans. Their 1 5/8 headers will give you more torque. If you are over 300hp, the 1 7/8 will give you the most bang for your buck.
Just remember that your exhaust has a lot of back presser so do the entire exhaust for the most gain.
Just remember that your exhaust has a lot of back presser so do the entire exhaust for the most gain.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Those LT1 manifolds are better than L98's. With a true 2.5" diameter, they are big enough for a stock motor -- and a good bang-for-the-buck upgrade. Long tube headers might get you 8-10 hp more. That's mostly because they'd improve scavenging of spent gases. Beyond that, make sure what you have behind them flows well too.
I agree the Hedman's are the best value and size for a stock motor. I'm not as quick to agree you should shoot straight past 1 3/4" headers (to 1 7/8" as suggested above). Choose header size/config based on power + where/how you drive the motor (rpms).
TPIS, EM, and other 1 3/4" headers are good for way more than 300hp. They will fit your heads properly too.
BTW: Any header specified to fit L98 Corvette's should fit your exhaust ports properly. Of all the headers ever mentioned in this forum -- for Corvettes -- none have ever been reported to partially cover/obscure the exhaust ports.
I agree the Hedman's are the best value and size for a stock motor. I'm not as quick to agree you should shoot straight past 1 3/4" headers (to 1 7/8" as suggested above). Choose header size/config based on power + where/how you drive the motor (rpms).
TPIS, EM, and other 1 3/4" headers are good for way more than 300hp. They will fit your heads properly too.
BTW: Any header specified to fit L98 Corvette's should fit your exhaust ports properly. Of all the headers ever mentioned in this forum -- for Corvettes -- none have ever been reported to partially cover/obscure the exhaust ports.
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Mar 16, 2009 at 10:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 548
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From: Victoria VA
Thanks for the replies as you can see in my sig I do have some engine mods I also have true duals all the way back with DynoMax UltraFlow mufflers. With my rear I'm running around 3000 rpms at 60 mph also. I don't want to spend the extra money on headers if it will not really help me. I ran my stock the engine on Desktop Dyno it said I had 180hp @ 5500rpms & 168ftlbs torque @ 4000rpms With what I have now Desktop Dyno says 383hp @ 6000rpms & 370 ftlbs torque @ 4500rpms. It also say with small tube headers and mufflers 420hp @ 6000rpms & 410ftlbs torque @ 5000rpms. That is around a 10% increase with the headers.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
~15hp with either the 1 5/8 or 1.75" headers, likely. Don't worry about which one, just find a set that doesnt break the bank thats ceramic coated.
If you find a cheaper set on ebay that needs recoating, go with JetHot, they'll cost about $300.
If you find a cheaper set on ebay that needs recoating, go with JetHot, they'll cost about $300.
