Headers question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 27, 2024 | 01:30 AM

Gooseit

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 412

Likes: 21

From: Franklin TN

Headers question

I have cat back Corsa exhaust on my 96 coupe and considering headers, but have some questions.
1. Do they really help performance that much?can you really feel the difference?
2. How difficult are they to install? Can it be done without a lift?
3. Don’t have to have the most expensive but would want a quality product that will last. What is your experience and recommendations.

thanks
Gooseit.

Last edited by Gooseit; Jan 27, 2024 at 01:47 AM.

Jan 27, 2024 | 09:33 AM

Dredgeguy

Racer

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 396

Likes: 161

From: Ellicott City MD

Stainless Works best quality and no issues plus made in the USA. OBX will work fine but made in China and understand the clamps are crap but good price. You will love the sound and should feel the additional ponies. You can install without a lift but it will not be fun!

Jan 27, 2024 | 09:49 AM

LT-1 kid

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 2,145

Likes: 283

From: cary Il

I think the stock manifolds are well designed, headers won't do anything for a stock motor
headers look and sound good, but are hard to install, and expensive, than you need to
customize your exhaust

Jan 27, 2024 | 12:01 PM

bse53

Advanced

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 64

Likes: 2

From: Moses Lake WA

The only long tube headers I've been able to find are ARH and Exotic Muscle. EM headers are available without a full exhaust-- unlike ARH. I haven't been able to find OBX. ARH claims a 25 hp gain, but that's doubtful unless you increase the air flow (bigger cam and/or head porting). Probably more like 10 hp.

Apr 11, 2024 | 11:39 AM

LT1GMC

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 1,390

Likes: 35

From: INDIANA

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT-1 kid

I think the stock manifolds are well designed, headers won't do anything for a stock motor
headers look and sound good, but are hard to install, and expensive, than you need to
customize your exhaust

You think this is a well designed exhaust from a LT1? Hooker shorty headers are much improved over this and are a direct bolt on to original downpipes. No modifications required.

Apr 11, 2024 | 01:21 PM

JohanHellqvist

6th Gear

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

Is the sound really impacted with shorty headers?

Apr 11, 2024 | 06:59 PM

mike1111

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2017

Posts: 929

Likes: 164

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooseit

dougs and hooker sell shorty headers that will bolt up to stock exhaust. I would get ceramic coated headers. they claim 15 hp gain. I think LT1 are the best stock C4 exhaust manifolds. If engine is stock, the gains most likely small, 10hp

Apr 11, 2024 | 07:27 PM

AZSP33D

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2020

Posts: 1,690

Likes: 726

From: Stay dangerous my friends

Outside of a set of Burns Stainless custom long tube headers, ARH stainless headers with exhaust are the best you can get I think. A noticeable gain in performance, even for stock LT1. You can plug the data into performance trends engine analyzer and it's usually pretty accurate. The higher the level of tune (cams, compression, heads) the higher the % gain. For my 400SBC with mild cam and heads, it's a huge benefit for headers. For an L98 I think a smaller 1 5/8 system is fine (Stainless Works) I am not a fan of steel headers or even steel headers Jet Hot coated: they rust inside, and the dust from the rust makes it's way up into the cylinders. Stainless headers don't get nearly as hot as steel headers, and they can take a lot more abuse in terms of heat and power output.