If you feel satisfied with 408 **nice** rwhp, then stick with stock manifolds. Performance cars owners fall into the trap of well if I did this I should do that to make the most out of mod "x." But knowing where to draw the line is one of the most important aspects of a modification program and long-term happiness with the car. A 100 rwhp gain is darn cool and you'll be happy you won't have to go back periodically to torque the header bolts (exhaust leaks are one of my pet peaves). NVH with the stock noise damping manifolds are excellent as well and most of all plug wire burning issues (which cause a mess of problems like clogged cats and loss of power) are nearly eliminated.

Having said all that some counterpoint. LPE's C&D Magnacharged test car was one equipped with headers; maybe LPE thought it was well worth it. Older LT1 f-bodies (according to a GM High Tech Performance editor) when equipped with superchargers (granted these were centrifugal, both ATI and Vortech) trapped 106 to 110 mph on pump gas/good ambient conditions with stock manifolds and no better than simple bolt-on upgraded LT1 f-bodies, albeit at a potential durability compromise compared to bolt-ons. Conclusion was that superchargers were only deemed worthwhile in terms of trouble after headers were added which would mean traps of 111 to 115 mph generally; or about a 2-5 mph advantage of a N/A f-body LT1 with 52mm TB, headers, cat-back, high flow y-pipe, and CAI. LS1/LS6 motors are of course very different than LT1s and your handsome gain is well above ~30 peak rwhp N/A bolt-on modded '02 Z06s and far higher on the torque number speaks for itself.

Headers is definitely a distinct step forward in performance and a distinct step downward (although not unbearable to harder core speed freaks) in stock-sweet hassle-free living. So ultimately it's where you want to fall in the performance/hassle tradeoff. Happy boosted motoring! :blueangel:



[Modified by STAGED, 6:02 AM 5/11/2003]

 

LS1 with a manual.

Thanks,
D.

 

Well, right now you are getting approximately 480Hp at the crank. It's certainly not bad. It's enough to make a Z jealous. :yesnod:

However, it's not quite enough to make the Viper boys skeered. :reddevil

 

I agree. :yesnod: