[Z06] 02 Z06 Headers selection help
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
02 Z06 Headers selection help
I have just bought my first Corvette. A 2002 Z06. I have installed a Halltech air intake and have on order a Borla Cat Back system. I need some help with the header selection.
I am looking at Long tube headers as I would like the HP increase. I live in Oregon and will need to pass emmissions testing. Do I get a system with hi flow cats? What is the best Long Tube headers and where can I get the best price.
I am looking at Long tube headers as I would like the HP increase. I live in Oregon and will need to pass emmissions testing. Do I get a system with hi flow cats? What is the best Long Tube headers and where can I get the best price.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,048
Likes: 1,476
From: South Florida
Most people say the LG long tubes altho the most expensive provide the most HP increase.
I personally plan on going with the Supermaxx system from Thunder Racing (forum vendor) since the price is reasonable and it comes with X pipe and hi flow cats.
I also priced a set of Jet-Hot brand headers which are supposed to be a knock off of the Kooks headers(shhh thats a secret) GREAT PRICE but I want the whole package not just headers.
I personally plan on going with the Supermaxx system from Thunder Racing (forum vendor) since the price is reasonable and it comes with X pipe and hi flow cats.
I also priced a set of Jet-Hot brand headers which are supposed to be a knock off of the Kooks headers(shhh thats a secret) GREAT PRICE but I want the whole package not just headers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
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From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
you will have problems with the long tube headers because they are not emmsions legal and you will probably throw codes. I have the dynatech supermaxxx headers with the hi flo cats and x pipe. I also have a borla cat back. Sounds great. But i throw codes every now and then. But a tune will delete the rear o2 sensors so that you dont throw codes. good luck 
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8
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Sounds to me that I should stay away from the long tube headers. I have to go through emission evry 2 years here in Oregon. Should I just install the Borla Cat Backs and leve the rest alone? I have read here from others that I will not get any HP increase by changing to the Boral over stock. Man that sucks because it is all about horse power.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by liteft
Sounds to me that I should stay away from the long tube headers. I have to go through emission evry 2 years here in Oregon. Should I just install the Borla Cat Backs and leve the rest alone? I have read here from others that I will not get any HP increase by changing to the Boral over stock. Man that sucks because it is all about horse power.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
If you decide to go with longtubes go for the LG's. Yes they are more expensive then a couple of the other options, but there is a reason for that...they are the best out there! Nobody gets the hp that they do or the torque for that matter. They are worth the price and they are a high quality piece.
Good luck with your decision.
Good luck with your decision.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,847
Likes: 10
From: Bartlett, IL
Cruise-In XI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
EPA test should not be a problem as long as you have cats on the car, after installing long tubes you should get the car dyno tuned, this is how to get the max performance from the newly installed parts and to make sure you dont have issues with trouble codes. I have the LG's and they are a great product and made good power on the dyno. I know people personally that have the Supermaxx and Kooks and they are happy with thiers too.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 1
From: Middleboro Massachusetts
I have the Kooks 1-7/8" collectors with the 3" off road system. I found that they were very easy to install compared to the set of SLP LT's I threw on my 99' FRC. We have seen better gains with the Kooks 1-7/8" collector over the Kooks 1-3/4" collector in every case on the dyno. The Kooks product is very well engineered and the fit is excellent.
I can't give you an exact gain, because I had a baseline with shortie headers on my ZO6. My baseline with the shorties was 399.5rwhp and 372rwt. After the Kooks LT install I made 424.5rwhp and 403rwt. All SAE numbers. I figure the Borla shorties were worth 10rwhp and 10rwt., so the gains are 34rwhp and 41rwt with the Kooks 1-7/8" etc.
over the stock CI manifolds. After the Kooks install I went from a 13.1:1 A/F ratio to a 12.5:1 A/F ratio. Tuning brought me back to 13.1:1 where the gains were realized.
I can't give you an exact gain, because I had a baseline with shortie headers on my ZO6. My baseline with the shorties was 399.5rwhp and 372rwt. After the Kooks LT install I made 424.5rwhp and 403rwt. All SAE numbers. I figure the Borla shorties were worth 10rwhp and 10rwt., so the gains are 34rwhp and 41rwt with the Kooks 1-7/8" etc.
over the stock CI manifolds. After the Kooks install I went from a 13.1:1 A/F ratio to a 12.5:1 A/F ratio. Tuning brought me back to 13.1:1 where the gains were realized.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Washington
I assume oregon still does the 'ol mirror under the car inspection when you get your smog test.
I would go the the long tubes with cats for this reason.
Washington just does the ODB2 plug in, so a good tune will allow it to pass smog.
But, be careful, Oregon and Washington will be adopting Calli's smog standards soon.
I would go the the long tubes with cats for this reason.
Washington just does the ODB2 plug in, so a good tune will allow it to pass smog.
But, be careful, Oregon and Washington will be adopting Calli's smog standards soon.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 609
Likes: 36
From: Portland OR
Where in Oregon are you? I just sold my LG's with Cats you missed out on a great deal and it would have been alot easier to sell locally!
My experience with emissions is they are not strict as long as you don't through any codes you should pass. They do not normally check under the car, I've had a car without Cats pass the computer test. It was loud as hell and they didn't say anything.
I had a heads and cam 93 with headers and a cat and the it didn't pass the first time. A lady came over and said try it again and go in her lane its close enough she could get it to pass. She got in Gunned it and let off and gave me the pass cerificate
93's have to pass the sniffer...
My experience with emissions is they are not strict as long as you don't through any codes you should pass. They do not normally check under the car, I've had a car without Cats pass the computer test. It was loud as hell and they didn't say anything.
I had a heads and cam 93 with headers and a cat and the it didn't pass the first time. A lady came over and said try it again and go in her lane its close enough she could get it to pass. She got in Gunned it and let off and gave me the pass cerificate
93's have to pass the sniffer...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
I too have a 2002 Z06.
I personally installed my L.G. Motorsports long-tube Pro headers. The installation is easy when you follow their instructions. I have the Randon Technologies high-flow catalysts. I mounted the catalysts directly to the merge collector on the L.G. headers. That way I get a quick lightoff and they stay warmer so they can pass a state-level emissions test.
Lou and his people are very helpful, give them a call.
Good luck with your decision.
.
I personally installed my L.G. Motorsports long-tube Pro headers. The installation is easy when you follow their instructions. I have the Randon Technologies high-flow catalysts. I mounted the catalysts directly to the merge collector on the L.G. headers. That way I get a quick lightoff and they stay warmer so they can pass a state-level emissions test.
Lou and his people are very helpful, give them a call.
Good luck with your decision.
.