What exhaust headers and system are people putting on? Preferably I don’t want to have to get a loan for the exhaust 😅. So my 87 barn find gets more interesting every time. I’m swapping engine because someone put a 305 in it. So I’m probly buying a L98 that’s newly rebuilt, can be run, has a mild cam, but iron heads. It’s out of an 87 IROC Z. Numbers all match that. I’m gonna put tuned port back on it and maybe tweak it a bit. The engine I can get for cheap cuz guy doesn’t want it around his shop anymore. It has paper trail of all that’s done to it and since I don’t have the original engine I thought it would be a good starting point to get this out and rolling. Any other tips on tweaks would be great as well. Thanks everyone this forum is great info on questions I lookup all the time.

 

Well...60 views and no answer. I'll play....

I'm sure you know (as someone able/willing to swap an engine) that the TPI isn't a high-revving engine. As such, headers do help but not as much as say...an LTx engine that revs 1k rpms higher. (or more) Since you have an affinity to return it to stock vs an aftermarket intake, I'll suggest a near-factory exhaust system too. My first thoughts are a ported set of stock manifolds (which are sold in ceramic coated form). Or...whatever decent long tubes you can find in the forsale section (or on eBay). Proper fitment of course.

If you're asking WHICH headers fit -- so you can look for used, chime in with that and we'll oblige.

Personally, I'll come back with this: Many come here asking how to upgrade an L98. We all tell them the truth: It's not easy. That's because the stock manifold is a better fit -- to the motor you're removing! It's undersized in most of our opinions (including mine). I'd give serious consideration to aftermarket base/runner OR another style intake. That would invite a cam swap and better need for long tube headers.

As it is, I'd question why you're returning a TPI to essentially stock configuration while hoping it'll "rev" enough to warrant headers?

Please know I mean this genuinely. I had an 89 in stock condition for 7 years. Then I decided to bring it into the 21st century with more power. The L98 -- in stock form -- is VERY hard to modify for that type of goal. TOO MANY PARTS REQUIRE CHANGING TO GENERATE MORE POWER. Since you have (somewhat) an opportunity to go a bit bigger/better while expressing the tell tale signs of wanting to do so, let us know you ultimate goals with the car.

 

I've done Hedman 68448 Ceramic Coated Elite 1-5/8" primaries long tubes on both a 1985 L98 C4 and a 1989 L98 C4. I've been happy both times!

Can you weld and cut exhaust pipe? If so, that can save some money.

This exhaust with those Hedman 68448 plus the collector adapters and some welding is IMO one of the best budget value inexpensive exhaust and header options out there. IMO I wouldn't go any cheaper.
https://www.corvettecentral.com/c4-8...f%3fcount%3d54

 

YAKMASTERMAX I was looking at that exhaust. I looked at Pypes as well and have the same one in 304 stainless. I will look at the headers. Thanks.
GREGGPENN I am open to something different in an engine or engine parts. I’ve been looking for a couple weeks at what to do. So here’s what I want and my intentions with car.
1 I do want HP and torque. However I have a budget. So what are options to stay within my budget of up to $4K for engine. If I buy a crate engine from jegs, summit or whomever they want a fully functional 5.7 block. I do not have that so would have to eat the core charge of $500 ish on top of price.
2 I don’t want this sitting in my garage on stands for years then lose interest.
3 This will only ever be a weekend, maybe a night or 2 during week and something to take to car shows driver. As I enjoy shootin the crap with other guys about their cars.
Again I am not opposed to bringing it out of the Stone Age but with the other work I need to do to it I am just trying to do the most with what I have and can. I am willing to learn and do most all if I can. I don’t have a machine shop or know anyone that works at one. That’s why I look at bolt on stuff I guess. If there’s other things or ways please anyone inform me.
But at the end of the day I also answer to the higher power (WIFE) and without approval from warden things halt. I wish I had $10K for an engine but I don’t and am just trying to get the most HP, flow, torque, and performance I can to get started.

 

As far as I know there are few truly BOLT ON complete exhaust systems for C4s, and by complete I mean headers to tips. Those that do exist, are gonna cost $2000-$3000 for the whole thing I believe.

If you search around I have a pretty comprehensive how to headers to exhaust tips install thread for my 89. Should mostly apply to your 87.

By going with those budget Hedmans and that corvette central exhaust system, even if you pay an exhaust shop $200-$300 for them to weld collector adapters and custom fab your Y pipe area, your total will still be around $1200-$1400 vs $2500.

You can save money (and maybe net 5 hp lol) if you go straight pipes with muffler eliminators but it will be LOUD and likely drone at certain RPMs.

A great option is to find an LT1 car being parted locally. Snag the entire exhaust rearward of the catalytic converters, so Y pipe and back, plus all the necessary hanging hardware (detailed in my 1989 exhaust system install thread). I wouldn't pay more than $350 for all of it.

Mate that to those Hedman Elite Ceramic coated headers, and you have a solid system on a budget.

 

TPiS is my rec, but I'd also use Hooker 2149s if they were available, and all need to be ceramic coated. Either replace the main cat or think about going with true duals, into the muffler of your choice. Mufflers are really just a sound preference, so go with what you like to hear, because headers and duals get loud and resonate at about 2000rpm where you do most cruising.