I was thinking about getting a new exhaust (currently have Ti's) because they aren't quite loud enough and was thinking about corsa indy's. Anyways, while researching them I have come to realize that some people seem to sell their indys for Ti when they get headers because the combo becomes too loud. So would it be more prudent for me to just get some headers instead of an exhaust, I was thinking about getting some headers down the line.

Also, does replacing headers require a tune, and how difficult is the install, does it effect warrenty? Any recommendations for headers?

Thanks.

 

Well, I am going through this process right now, so here are my feelings on this:

1. Exhaust: Exhaust sound is definitely personal taste but I had Ti exhaust and there were too mellow for me. I then switched to Borla Stingers which were too much of a good thing. In particular, the cruise drone was too much for me. I don't mean to knock Borla Stingers because I know lots of folks on the board love them. I am now moving to Corsa Pace Car.

2. Headers: I had the same concerns about how headers were going to impact the exhaust sound. After getting advice from the many kind people on this board and after expressing my sound tolerances, the combination of Corsa Pace Cars and headers was applauded so I am going with that.

3. Tuning and headers: Consulting with people on the board, the perception I got was that the tune was highly recommended. Without the tune, the system won't be optimized for the mod.

4. One piece of advice I got (which I followed) was that if you do headers and new catback, consider getting a tunnel plate. I got mine from Elite Engineering. Doing this now makes much sense because the stock mid pipes are removed in the header system installation.

I should get my vette back next week with Corsa Pace Car, Kooks Headers and a tune... I'll post the results... stay tuned. Although I am sure others who have been through this already will likely chime in.

 

if it's too loud, you're too old, nuff said

 

I am 25 so I don't know who is buying this stuff

 

Yes get the Long Tubes and have 'em installed and you will be happy you've kept you TI's !

WOW! Does it make for a good sound at idle and WOT SWEET!

You will not regret the investment whatsoever!

Should be able to get a set of LT's w/Hiflow cats and X-Pipe for around $1500.00 up!

Thanks,Matt

 

Love my long tubes and stingers I did the install myself without a lift. I went with the Dynatech system it came with everything you need to do the job yourself. 54 must not be old because I like it LOUD

 

I say get the headers first and if it is still to quiet the get the Corsa Pace Cars, they are not as loud as the Indy's

 

Putting on the Longtube headers first is a good idea.. you'll gain power from those, but you will need to re-tune to take advantage of the power. If you don't retune, your car will run just fine, but you won't get the full potential of the headers.
Everyone's ear's are different...personally for me, the Corsa Indy's with headers was not quite loud enough, so I switched to BB PRT with my Long Tube's and it's fairly loud, but still fine for me taste.
Keep your TI's , and then if after the headers it's still quite you can switch your cat-back as that's fairly easy to do.

Good luck

 

I think you meant Corsa Touring; Pace Cars and Indy's are the same thing.

I would normally tell folks to get the exhaust first, but in your case getting the headers first isn't a bad idea. If you find you want more noise, then you can step up to the Touring or Indy's.

 

Headers=HP! After that get it tuned. Tuning found me another 10 HP after the header install. Can't comment on the sound with the TI's vs. any others as I have a custom built system. If you want louder after that, then change the cat-back.

 

I will be anticpating your thread on the results.

From what I hear, it sounds as if the headers are the way to go, any recommendations? How difficult is the install ,also I don't want to do a tune at the moment as I would rather wait until I get more things added.

Anyone have problems with warrenty with headers installed?

 

Long tubes, high flow cats, x pipe, and stock TIs = great sound

 

Try about a grand less then that if you dare!

 

Of course Headers are the way to go, how you go about doing it is another story! Two considerations are primary length and diameter. Generally go with 1.75" primaries unless you've got some serious valvetrain or FI mods. Here's some info on Primary Lengths;

The LONGER primaries of the LG's & Dynatech tend to LOSE their scavageing effect above 3500 rpms.. They are GREAT for LOW END TORQUE at LOWER RPMS. Perfect for street driving & road racers..

However for DRAG racing, the brands with shorter primaries KOOKS, AR, TPIS, will OUT PERFORM from 4000-7000 rpms, exactly where the powerband is @ WOT....

The dyno results may only offer minimal if any gains, but on the dragstrip, a .05-.1 quicker ET can be had.

Dyno tests with headers having primary lengths adjustable in three-inch increments show that lengths between 24 and 36 inches have only a minor effect on the power curve of V-8s that you and I can typically afford, although the longer pipes do marginally favor the low end.

PRIMARY PIPE LENGTH
"The overall length of the primary header pipe is governed almost exclusively by the target engine's rpm range, which is dependent upon wave tuning. Typically, a lower engine rpm range likes a longer primary pipe, while a high rpm engine prefers a shorter primary."

PRIMARY PIPE LENGTH
The length of the primary pipes also affects torque. Where diameter affects the torque peak relative to rpm, the length affects the shape of the torque curve. Longer primaries provide more torque below the peak and reduce it past the peak. Shorter primaries provide more torque above the peak at the expense of below-peak torque. More torque in the low- to mid-rpm range is important to drivers who want that feeling of seat-of-your-pants performance on the street. Longer primaries also reduce the chance of escaping exhaust's being drawn back up another pipe.

In order to keep the torque curve the same for all eight cylinders, it is important that primary pipes be equal in length. Exactly how equal they have to be is more critical on uncorked race cars than for the vast majority of mild-engined street cars running through mufflers. In most applications, pipe length deviation of 2 to 3 inches on a set of full-length headers is not a problem.

I think the major benefit of a tune after Header installs is adjusting a few parameters to work with the increase in exhaust performance and mainly Highflow Cats, such as eliminating or desensitizing the COT, rear O2s ect... If you think about it a Stock C5 can see an increase of roughly 10 HP from a good tune, and that’s what we're seeing after the Header install and tune... So I think it's more accurate to say that the Tune will adapt the car to the Exhaust upgrade... not necessarily "taking advantage" of the upgrade...

The only warranty items you will loose are exhaust related, to include the A.I.R. system and O2 sensors I'm sure...

Also, I highly recommend looking at opening up your intake also. Try to look at the car as one whole system, not just bits and pieces...

 

I went through this decisionprocess with my first C5 and am doing my second onebased on what I learned before. I've added the Blackwing , have ordered a set if Ti's, will be ordering a catch can and swapping in the Z06 valley pan. I will also be getting a set of ARH or LG's. I don't want this thing to be too loud or have drone because it's my wife's dd and I can add a set of cutouts if she feels it's too tame.

No more swapping catbacks back and forth to figure out how to get the right sound for me. I love the Ti's on my first C5 - they are extremely tolerable on long drives and aggressive when I get on it - plus, they weigh next to nothing and look great. I tried MagnaFlows and Stingers and they were both excellent systems but the MF's were heavy and had the tie plate I didn't like much, while the Borlas were like Saturday night at the races - loud and resonant. A few things I also don't like about many of the aftermarket systems is that they hang down too low so that you can see the muffler cans from the side, they can be hard to align properly, and the tips stick out the back too far for my taste.

Catback is one of those choices that is based on one's personal sound/look preferences so think about what you like - not what others tell you you should be getting. I would agree to get the headers first, though, because they did add a significant amount of volume when I added mine. Best to match the catback volume/sound to the headers rather than the opposite, IMO.

 

I've got the American Racing long tubes, X pipe and hi-flow cats to a Z06 exhaust and I'm very happy with the set up. The tone is not stock, but not obnoxious. Yes, definately have the car tuned, and yes GMPP may void portions of your warranty after headers & tune. (I have a good friend with a new C6 Z06 and he is replacing his motor on his own dime because of headers & tune, and an eventual siezed motor). The results on my C5 after tune are 350 RWHP, 329 RWTQ on an otherwise stock 2000 C5.
Bruce

 

I just had long tube headers installed in front of my Corsa Indys (a.k.a. as Pace Car). I loved the Pace Car and I had the same concerns about it getting too loud. The Pace Car system is legendarily known for no drone at cruising speed, and with the long tubes, that has not changed. The only that really changed is the sound is now deeper and is slightly louder when I get on it.

If you can manage to keep your foot out of it (you're a better man than me if you can! ) the sound is more muscle car deep in an around town shifting through the gears. Even my wife said she likes the new sound.

Oh and BTW - I second the motion about getting a tunnel plate installed at the same time the headers and exhaust is installed.

Bottom line - if you want quiet cruising and a muscular sound at idle and under acceleration - long tube headers and Corsa Pace Car is a great combo!

 

Headers and X-pipe DO make the car a lot louder at wide open throttle, but not at cruise. What could be better than that? Here's what TSP headers through stock Ti sounds like.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZtJ0cyQlql0

 

Sounds good, nice wheels as well.

 

Get the headers and high flow cats/x-pipe first and see how you like it. If still too quiet, you can then change the mufflers.