C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

C4 Headers?

Old Dec 19, 2014 | 08:54 AM
  #1  
bangorgreg's Avatar
bangorgreg
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default C4 Headers?

TPIS or EM headers for the 1994 C4 dedicated track car? currently has short light cat back exhaust with stock manifold. Thanks
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 09:30 AM
  #2  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Default

TPIS has been good to me since I can change plugs easily
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 10:13 AM
  #3  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

For a dedicated track car, having equal length primaries might make a difference. I know TPIS aren't. I was going to purchase a set years ago and spoke with Myron Cottrell (owner) who confirmed they weren't. I'm running ARH which is a quality header (among others including TPIS) and have primaries that are equal or close to equal lenth.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 12:33 PM
  #4  
bangorgreg's Avatar
bangorgreg
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 383vett
For a dedicated track car, having equal length primaries might make a difference. I know TPIS aren't. I was going to purchase a set years ago and spoke with Myron Cottrell (owner) who confirmed they weren't. I'm running ARH which is a quality header (among others including TPIS) and have primaries that are equal or close to equal lenth.

What is ARH? american racing? They have stainless is it worth the extra money for stainless?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 12:34 PM
  #5  
bangorgreg's Avatar
bangorgreg
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default

just the ARH headers are $1100
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 01:29 PM
  #6  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

Originally Posted by bangorgreg
What is ARH? american racing? They have stainless is it worth the extra money for stainless?
My car gained a tenth and a half compared with Hookers with no other changes.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 03:24 PM
  #7  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by 383vett
My car gained a tenth and a half compared with Hookers with no other changes.
Ease of assembly? Difficult to change plugs? How much do you think I can get over the TPIS? ground clearance? Any drawbacks?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 05:16 PM
  #8  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

TPIS here. Plug change is a snap. Fit is great on my 87. I have a TPIS intake and it is also well designed. One problem with TPIS is, they will lie to you. Our cars are so old I dont think they keep a lot of stuff in stock. I ordered my headers and they said they would ship out in 2 days. I think I got them 2 1/2 weeks later.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 19, 2014 | 05:35 PM
  #9  
bangorgreg's Avatar
bangorgreg
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by JackDidley
TPIS here. Plug change is a snap. Fit is great on my 87. I have a TPIS intake and it is also well designed. One problem with TPIS is, they will lie to you. Our cars are so old I dont think they keep a lot of stuff in stock. I ordered my headers and they said they would ship out in 2 days. I think I got them 2 1/2 weeks later.
just ordered Melrose headers after speaking to Carolina Auto Masters who say that Melrose have always fit perfect and are made here in the US. Fingers crossed-stay tuned for results
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 09:32 AM
  #10  
Vett1990's Avatar
Vett1990
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 7
From: Fort Ripley Minnesota
Default

I have the TPIS header, look good, fit great and easy to work around. They may not be exact in length if top speed isn't your MO they should work fine.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 01:20 PM
  #11  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

Originally Posted by aklim
Ease of assembly? Difficult to change plugs? How much do you think I can get over the TPIS? ground clearance? Any drawbacks?
I just reinstalled my ARH headers last night after having my heads freshened up. Took less than 15 minutes including tightening bolts. Good ground clearance and I can change plugs in 10 minutes. The only caveat is if you have the factory oil cooler, you will need to install a remote filter. If you are not running the heat exchanger, you're good to go. Here are a couple of pictures showing the plug access.



Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 11:20 PM
  #12  
HAD2HAV2's Avatar
HAD2HAV2
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Default

Do your headers (both manufactures) connect easily to the Y-pipe before the Cat at the end. I don't have pre-cats just a big Cat. at the end of the y-pipe.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 01:12 AM
  #13  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by 383vett
I just reinstalled my ARH headers last night after having my heads freshened up. Took less than 15 minutes including tightening bolts. Good ground clearance and I can change plugs in 10 minutes. The only caveat is if you have the factory oil cooler, you will need to install a remote filter. If you are not running the heat exchanger, you're good to go. Here are a couple of pictures showing the plug access.
Small price to pay if you want equal length headers. If I had known, I'd have done it myself since now I have to fix my oil cooler. I checked and rechecked and found it to be leaking. Not where it mates with the block but below that. Change of gasket and torque to 25 ft/lbs doesn't cure it and the dye show it to be coming from below the mating point.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 01:12 AM
  #14  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by HAD2HAV2
Do your headers (both manufactures) connect easily to the Y-pipe before the Cat at the end. I don't have pre-cats just a big Cat. at the end of the y-pipe.
TPIS does for sure.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 12:43 PM
  #15  
artvette's Avatar
artvette
Pro
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
Default

Stay away from anything by EM. Merle is a real POS. They don't stand behind what they sell in spite of what their website claims.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 10:36 PM
  #16  
HAD2HAV2's Avatar
HAD2HAV2
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Default

Originally Posted by artvette
Stay away from anything by EM. Merle is a real POS. They don't stand behind what they sell in spite of what their website claims.
Say what!
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 07:28 PM
  #17  
BrianCunningham's Avatar
BrianCunningham
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Default

Originally Posted by artvette
Stay away from anything by EM. Merle is a real POS. They don't stand behind what they sell in spite of what their website claims.
Happy EM customer here
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C4 Headers?

Old Dec 22, 2014 | 09:27 PM
  #18  
l98tpi's Avatar
l98tpi
Max G’s
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

I run Melrose Headers on my 91 and Stainless Works on my 96. Both fit nice. I have heard over the years that the TPIS headers fit nice.

As far as Exotic Muscle, I just purchase an item off of them and everything was as described and explained. They seem to have more C4 parts than any other vendor, especially body parts. I would recommend them and will purchase from them again.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 11:15 PM
  #19  
whalepirot's Avatar
whalepirot
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
Default

TPIS, here. The fit was okay and the only gripe I had was clearance issues with one plug wire. Their solution was to dimple that exhaust tube.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2014 | 11:17 PM
  #20  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by whalepirot
TPIS, here. The fit was okay and the only gripe I had was clearance issues with one plug wire. Their solution was to dimple that exhaust tube.
Haven't dinged anything yet.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:13 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE