drone from headers at cruse?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
drone from headers at cruse?
i have had my C5 for a few months now and i am looking for info on headers. i am thinking of going with Dynatech Kit with headers,x-pipe and high flow cats. i have the Corsa Pace car cat backs and want to "finish" the exhaust. how many more HP can i expect? My only concern is making sure the Dynatech headers don't give me a drone or excessive noise at cruse speed which is about 70-80MPH at 1500-1700 RPM. the Corsas are quiet and that is nice for the long road trips i make.
thanks,
hk
thanks,
hk
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 1
From: Ellettsville Indiana
CI 7-8-9 & 12 Veteran
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I also have the full Dynamax Supermaxx longtube header system which includes high flow cats and an X-pipe. Although this set-up will make your car a lot louder, it doesn't necessarily cause the drone you're worried about. I think the biggest contributor to drone is your catback setup. I have the twin-tip Borla Stingers which are fairly loud to begin with. Adding headers took them over the top! The car sounds awesome under acceleration but exhibits a fair amount of resonance in certain RPM ranges during cruise. Some people are fine with it while others can't stand it. It's all a matter of personal preference.
Try to find another C5 with the setup you're planning on and listen to it in person. It's the only way to be sure...
Try to find another C5 with the setup you're planning on and listen to it in person. It's the only way to be sure...
Jacks996
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,667
Likes: 12
From: eagle mountain lake tx
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I put borla stingers on my stock exhaust and was fine. Later I put on AR headers and high flow cats and drone at 1500 rpm is horrible. 1500 is 75 in my car. Have to drive 80 or 65 to get away from it. I am putting a 4.10 rear in it later so that will change the rpm range.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 872
Likes: 3
From: 90% of all Fords are still on the road.....the other 10% actually made it home!
I just installed my new TSP LT headers, Highflow cats, X-Pipe, and yes.....a new Corsa Indy/Pace catback system, and at cruising speed (1500-2000) I experience VERY little to no internal drone!! 
WOT is a "WHOLE DIFFERENT" monster though......
WOT is a "WHOLE DIFFERENT" monster though......
Last edited by str8upchevy; Apr 17, 2007 at 04:06 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 783
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Headers
I have same setup with Dynatech and Corsa, my Car is an A4 and at 75+ there is alittle Drone, I also have 3.42 gears and at 75 I am about 2200 rpms. If you have 6 speed, you should be ok... until about 80-85mph. But at higher speeds you have a some drone.
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Probably the best advice you can get.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Fountain hills AZ
i have had my C5 for a few months now and i am looking for info on headers. i am thinking of going with Dynatech Kit with headers,x-pipe and high flow cats. i have the Corsa Pace car cat backs and want to "finish" the exhaust. how many more HP can i expect? My only concern is making sure the Dynatech headers don't give me a drone or excessive noise at cruse speed which is about 70-80MPH at 1500-1700 RPM. the Corsas are quiet and that is nice for the long road trips i make.
thanks,
hk
thanks,
hk
Headers are worth it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Its not simply the headers - its the exhaust system. You will hear some additional sound from the headers because they are steel and not cast iron. You can also introduce vibration harmonics that are dampened by the heavy stock, cast iron headers. You will also notice increased volume flow through the exhaust because of improved breathing on hard acceleration, but if the Corsa's are quite at cruising speed now, you should see little difference.
Headers are worth it.
Headers are worth it.
that will make me buy them
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Norwich CT
I had B&B Bullets on my vert and the drone was not too bad...but of course thats subjective...to some it might be, but once I added American Racing headers, the drone between 1600-1800 has increased a whole lot. The first day that I had the car I thought I might have made a bad decision and might have to change catback to something else, but I have gotten used to it now. With the drone you can still have a decent coversation without yelling to your passenger. From what I have heard, the catback exhaust will determine how loud your drone will be. If the exhaust had a drone before hand, more than likely it will increase after the header install.
Mike
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Pearland, TX
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
I have the same setup that you are looking at (except now with a cam).
Both before and after the cam there was no drone. At cruise it is virtually no different than before the headers. Do it you won't regret it at all.
Both before and after the cam there was no drone. At cruise it is virtually no different than before the headers. Do it you won't regret it at all.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
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From: Saint Louis MO
I've got the Corsa Pace car cat backs. Just bought the Dynatech Supermaxx kit with cats. These even look SEXY! Had the headers ceramic coated, now I've just gotta find the time to install them. David
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,108
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From: San Jose CA
I've got American Racing Headers w/ a Catted X Pipe and Corsa Pace Car Mufflers. Absolutely no drone, and phenominal sound under acceleration. I gained about 20hp at the rear wheels when I added the headers with a tune. Money well spent!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 686
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From: Ex suburban, now Chicago... IL
I don't believe the headers contribute to drone but I am not 100% sure. I can tell you with my Kooks LT's and Z06 TI's I had no drone whatsoever in any gear or RPM.
Once I swapped my catback to GHL's I now have a slight drone in 6th gear around 1800 RPM or so when cruising along the highway. If I did not love the sound of them so much I would have changed them out already.
There is an easy fix for this problem... Drive faster or switch to a lower gear.
Once I swapped my catback to GHL's I now have a slight drone in 6th gear around 1800 RPM or so when cruising along the highway. If I did not love the sound of them so much I would have changed them out already.
There is an easy fix for this problem... Drive faster or switch to a lower gear.
