Headers with iron heads - does it work?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Headers with iron heads - does it work?
I know both Hooker and TPIS have headers which bolt up to a C4 w/iron heads, but are there any problems due to the straight plugs? Do you have to do some grinding or how can you get around this problem?
:seeya
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (FlyboyZR1)
As long as you get the headers with L98 angle plugs, youre straight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 3
From: Esko MN
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (FlyboyZR1)
I used the TPiS coater headers on my '85 with iron heads. It was a pretty easy install. The only problem I had was the #7 plug was too close the header and would arc. I solved this by unscrewing the tip of the plug (where the boot slips on) and cutting 1/8" off the threaded rod. Also, I filed off the cap by 1/8" before threading it back on. I was using Bosch platinum plugs which are the shortest ones I could find. Anyway, this solved the problem.
Greg :D
[Modified by Greg Johnson, 4:23 PM 1/16/2003]
Greg :D
[Modified by Greg Johnson, 4:23 PM 1/16/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (FlyboyZR1)
Of course it will....some problems around plugs, but not insurmountable...in other words it can be done.....
:steering:
:steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (Greg Johnson)
I used the TPiS coater headers on my '85 with iron heads. It was a pretty easy install. The only problem I had was the #7 plug was too close the header and would arc. I solved this by unscrewing the tip of the plug (where the boot slips on) and cutting 1/8" off the threaded rod. Also, I filed off the cap by 1/8" before threading it back on. I was using Bosch platinum plugs which are the shortest ones I could find. Anyway, this solved the problem.
Greg :D
Greg :D
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (VetteNoob)
Thanks. I e-mailed TPIS and they said the header will have to be clearanced on a few primaries. Do you lose any bottom end with headers? Also how many hours do they usually take to install?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (FlyboyZR1)
Took me and 85WhiteZ51 about 5 hours to install just the headers and Y pipe. We did come across a problem and that added about an hour to the install. Here are before and after dynos with headers and ported/siamesed runners installed (in the after).
Before
After
Notice how the power curve flattened out with the headers and ported TPI installed. Plus I made a little more hp/tq across the board. The results were not as good as I had hoped, but they were still nice considering the how little I spent getting it.
Before
After
Notice how the power curve flattened out with the headers and ported TPI installed. Plus I made a little more hp/tq across the board. The results were not as good as I had hoped, but they were still nice considering the how little I spent getting it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 3
From: Esko MN
Re: Headers with iron heads - does it work? (FlyboyZR1)
I probably lost a little off the line, but I never dynoed it or clocked it. When I put the Big Mouth and big tubes on later, there was a definite gain at the low end with the headers.
Greg
[Modified by Greg Johnson, 8:28 AM 1/17/2003]
Greg
[Modified by Greg Johnson, 8:28 AM 1/17/2003]