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

L98 headers, worth the trouble?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 27, 2004 | 03:46 AM
  #1  
BubbaJJ's Avatar
BubbaJJ
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: phoenix az
Default L98 headers, worth the trouble?

For some reason, there is a section of exaust pipe just below the flange that has been replaced. I noticed it when I was crawling around looking at my fuel filter. Anyway, the pipe where it makes the turn to go rearward has been replaced by a piece of pipe that is a smaller diameter than the pipe on either side. Now I have three sets of spare headers, a set of short tube block huggers, a set of medium length tube headers and a set of full length headers. If im gonna have to replace a section of pipe there anyway, would it be worth the trouble to just put the headers on instead of just doing the repair? The pipe section is visually much smaller than the stock pipe and I'm not sure why it was done, maybe he bottomed out and bent them, who knows. It was a stupid thing to do and must really restrict it at that point. (did these have pre cats?) The factory manifolds kinda look like headers, would a set of real aftermarket headers be worth it?
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2004 | 03:58 AM
  #2  
USAsOnlyWay's Avatar
USAsOnlyWay
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Default Re: L98 headers, worth the trouble? (BubbaJJ)

Well if you already have the headers, I say go for it.
I believe long tubes are supposed to be work 15-25ish chp. Not sure but somewhere around there. Also, yes they had pre cats, but it is weird that they welded in smaller pipes...
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2004 | 06:54 AM
  #3  
Rays91L98's Avatar
Rays91L98
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Lusby MD
Default Re: L98 headers, worth the trouble? (BubbaJJ)

My 91 L98 responded exceptionally well to the long tube headers. I would definitely recommend doing this mod, especially if you already have the headers sitting around. I used the hooker 2149's with their y-pipe eliminating the pre cats. I am very happy with the results

:seeya
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2004 | 09:29 AM
  #4  
Red Tornado's Avatar
Red Tornado
Team Owner
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Default Re: L98 headers, worth the trouble? (Rays91L98)

My 91 L98 responded exceptionally well to the long tube headers. I would definitely recommend doing this mod, especially if you already have the headers sitting around. I used the hooker 2149's with their y-pipe eliminating the pre cats. I am very happy with the results

:seeya
Ditto on my '90. This exact mod was just done last week, and its a real nice difference....in sound as well as mid-range torque and power :thumbs: Worth it? You bet, but you'll want to incorporate other mods to synergize the effect of headers :yesnod:
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2004 | 04:44 PM
  #5  
BubbaJJ's Avatar
BubbaJJ
Thread Starter
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: phoenix az
Default Re: L98 headers, worth the trouble? (bradvette)

Hmmm, we have smog testing here so I'm concerned about the pre-cats being gone. What do they do, exacly, and will them being gone adversely affect my emissions? It looks like the pre-cats were just removed and the pipes put in. It is pretty stupid the pipes they put on. They may be less than 2 in OD pipe. I didn't measure but they look small, way smaller than the stock pipe.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2004 | 05:06 PM
  #6  
TIMSPEED's Avatar
TIMSPEED
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Default Re: L98 headers, worth the trouble? (BubbaJJ)

I passed the California Smog test without precats on my 87. :cheers:
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2004 | 05:22 PM
  #7  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default Re: L98 headers, worth the trouble? (BubbaJJ)

The OH e-check dyno smog test is very similar to the setup in Mesa, AZ and my '88 easily passes with no front cats, a hi-flow 3-stage cat and hi-flow cat-back; and that's in winter while running a 150 deg stat.

Inceed the FL headers with matching front Y is the way to go. TO make things easier and assure that you pass smog also install a Random Tech 3-stage main cat.

And yes your stock setup is small tube SS shortie headers.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To L98 headers, worth the trouble?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:18 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