cvette

Who makes the best ZR1 Headers?

RatRacer

They are all good. Choices are LPE, Brian Alspaugh and Jeal.


[Modified by RatRacer, 8:27 AM 3/19/2002]

LT5PWR

I have should have both Watsons and Alspaugh headers for sale soon. Both should be in relatively soon. EMail me if interested.

LT5PWR@msn.com



[Modified by LT5PWR, 4:48 AM 3/19/2002]

USAZR1

Stainless Works in Ohio also makes a nice looking LT5 header in 304 stainless for $895/set.

Jeffvette

New or used?

ZR1

Yeah, after Bill Kirchhofer paid for the prototypes and paid for the jigs they didn't give them to him. Basically, they took his money and told him to **** up a rope. Don't buy anything from them.

USAZR1

That's strange. I've dealt with them in the past and they always seemed like a first class bunch. Guess I need to talk to Bill. Maybe a group of us can put the heat on them. Thanks for the info,Jim.
Does anyone know who is making LPE's ZR-1 headers? Hopefully,it isn't Stainless Works.

RatRacer

I believe it is.

LT5PWR

JeffVette,

I will soon have one set of NEW coated Watson headers, 1150.

I will soon have new 2" Alspaugh headers. I will be at the Gathering this year if one would like to pick up at that time. Alspaugh headers 895.

cvette

Are all of these about the same or are some better than others?

RatRacer

The best headers are the ones you can get your hands on when you need them. I know that the LPE headers have thicker flanges than some of the others.

Rkreigh

Brian is making up some sets to bring to BG. I was posting like crazy to help get him some biz. the cut off to pay him to be SURE they were done by BG was last week. if you want a set, please contact him. if you are in the Northern VA area, I will drag a set back for you for $20 to cover my gas and hassle. I saw the prototypes of the SPA headers from Brian last year and they look really good. he had 10 VERY satisfied customers but unless the volume picks up, they aren't worth doing. sorry to hear about bill getting screwed, that stinks. LPE doesn't even list the LT5 headers in their catalog which I find strange.

ZR1

He heeeeee.... Yeah, I saw them last year too and they were very nice headers indeed. I would certainly buy a set if I had a need to. Anyway, Brian was showing them and I was really giving him the razz about them. I was hoopin and hollerin about how I hoped he would sell a million of them because I had already been through the "not worth my time to do these things" phase. I think he may have thought I was making fun of the headers but I knew what was in store for him. With the extremely low volume of ZR-1 headers, the cost to manufacture such a low volume, and the money you make off of them is just plain not worth it. I sold bunches where I may make $20, I may loose $20. I did it for the ZR-1 owners, but as with anything, that gets to be a pain after a while when the newness wears off.

Anyway, if you guys want headers, even if you think you may want some in the future, go ahead and order some from Brian now or you may not get a chance to in the future. They are a good quality and I am sure Brian will stand behind them. I would rather have him standing behind them and not me.

LIMEY

quote:
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Stainless Works in Ohio also makes a nice looking LT5 header in 304 stainless for $895/set.
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Yeah, after Bill Kirchhofer paid for the prototypes and paid for the jigs they didn't give them to him. Basically, they took his money and told him to **** up a rope. Don't buy anything from them.


Well well well, there is a story behind this!

I am not in the market for headers, but can tell you this, after we paid to have all our gasket kits made & out laid all the funds for the tooling, then the company decides to sell them themselves, I would be "fit to be tied"

This is BS, I would like to think it's not really this cut and dry, or is it?

Jim, are you saying Bill paid for the tooling and what not, then this company tells Bill to **** up a rope? If so, I'll never pass the word on about getting a set of headers from these guys, in fact, I will be happy to tell people to stay away, that's just not on!

People, if you need headers, buy them from Brian, believe me, I know he isn;t making much money on them, & if nobody buys them, then no more will be manufactured due to the high costs of limited production work.

Tata.

Kurt.

8388

Are these headers designed to fit above the frame ?
I can't stand headers that bottom out against the pavement.

USAZR1

I've never seen a set of ZR-1 headers that were built any other way,Sam.
My Jeals tuck up out of harm's way and still look almost as pristine as the day they were installed in Sept.98.

8388

Thanks Clint. Are they ceramic coated ? what diameter pipes ? do you have to relocate the 02 ( add more wire )?

USAZR1

Sam,most LT5 headers available out there today feature 2" primaries. Watson used to offer either 1 7/8" or 2" but they no longer sell ZR-1 headers. Some people say the ceramicoating makes a difference in heat throw-off but my headers weren't coated and I can't tell any difference in our TX heat. However,I would not discourage anyone from coating their headers as it probably does help.
Yes,the O2 sensor wiring is longer. Jeal included that with the pipes. Not sure if the other header manufacturers do that,though.

8388

Has any body done a before and after Dyno ? I would like to hit 400 rwhp by adding headers, and extrude hone plenum/intake.

Rkreigh

headers seem to be worth around 20-25 WITH a good exhaust and no cats. torque increase too. and the sound is what is truely delicious. the chip from the factory is a bit rich, and with headers usually, things get just a bit lean (or just right!!!) either way, headers are a good foundation for other mods. don't waste time porting all the intake/heads, if you cork up the exh. an engine is an air pump

ZR1 mods are not cheap, but I think the headers are a MUST DO as an early mod. the factory manifolds are not that bad, and the cats flow pretty well too, BUT, headers help, and especially up around 7k where the LT5 sings so sweetly. with headers and good exh, the hp curve is as flat as a table. without them, it falls off a bit past 6500 or so.

for the sound alone, a worthwhile mod. I found your post very amusing Jim, I was a the bar enjoying a beer when Jim was rasing brian....

how true it turned out to be. but just the same, if you want headers, Brian's are nice, and we should give him credit for getting them made up.

thanks Brian, I'm doing my best to help you sell enough to make it worth your time.

please contact brian for specifics, and look at the other post from AVI for pics. very nice stuff.