Headers - are they worth it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,770
Likes: 0
From: Sahuarita AZ
As others have said, headers are a good foundation modification for any forced induction applications that you plan on exploring in the future. The headers themselves only produce marginal results alone, but they will introduce a more efficient pathway for exhaust to get through, thus helping to minimize horsepower driveline loss. They also produce a killer sound.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
I had headers and a custom built exhaust (built right on the chassis dyno for best performance) and recently took them off. I installed the factory exhaust manifolds, intermediate pipe with the cats, and the GM ZO-6 mufflers. If you check out my signature you can see what difference it made, although I'm not done doing tuning on it so it may go lower for the "after" or "detuned" mods.
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Do the headers - it will give you a nice power gain. Lots of good brands out there like AR, Dynatech, Kooks, LG, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 2
From: California USA
You really have to wonder if a aftermarket header has the design and quality of the factory. GM has vast resources and staff that are able to spend large amounts of compurter and dyno time to get the most out of the exaust. Looking at the factory headers and the aftermarket ones, is there really that much differance? the shape and size are close and there are not any tight bends or restrictions that I see. GM is trying to get the most out of the LS6 as it can, would they make restrictive headers? I don't think that you could get much improvement out of aftermarket, they might be a little better, they are probley not as good. Cat back you will see more of a improvement, but there are better ways to invest in you engine than headers.
Jacks996
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,667
Likes: 12
From: eagle mountain lake tx
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I have a lot of the same parts on my car and I paid 1450 for my AR headers and did the install myself. I put the headers on along with a head, cam intake package. I do all the labor to save money.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
I put LG street series on last week and absolutely love them, and they are less than $1000. Lots of good ingo on how to dIY as well. If you are going to do serious mods, get the pros. Sound, seat of the pants dyno, and HP per $ are unbeatable.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
You really have to wonder if a aftermarket header has the design and quality of the factory. GM has vast resources and staff that are able to spend large amounts of compurter and dyno time to get the most out of the exaust. Looking at the factory headers and the aftermarket ones, is there really that much differance? the shape and size are close and there are not any tight bends or restrictions that I see. GM is trying to get the most out of the LS6 as it can, would they make restrictive headers? I don't think that you could get much improvement out of aftermarket, they might be a little better, they are probley not as good. Cat back you will see more of a improvement, but there are better ways to invest in you engine than headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lower Lake Ca
YES YES YES!!!! The headers will give you 20+ HP depending on the brand and other mods. The cat-backs may give you a couple (usually un-noticable HP). I gained over 25 HP by adding headers after cat-back and intake.
Watch the for sale section, I paid $500 for mine.
Watch the for sale section, I paid $500 for mine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 3
From: Fallbrook Califronia
You can talk about how much differance improving the exhaust makes, but untill you have added hiflow Cat's and a hiflow mufflers and increased the size of the pipes they will not get much effect. Long tube headers that are well designed will make a differance but you must also consider the negitive effects ( heat, noise, maintiance) I have done the street racing in the past and have been there and done that, I am now very happy with the 350hp that the factory provided. When I had my 71 Corvette there were alot of things that could do to imporve the performance, but the new cars have so much out of the box I just don't find it worth the trouble of continous maintainance.
I am waiting to hear why you decided to remove your headers and exhaust system and went back to stock?
I had headers and a custom built exhaust (built right on the chassis dyno for best performance) and recently took them off. I installed the factory exhaust manifolds, intermediate pipe with the cats, and the GM ZO-6 mufflers. If you check out my signature you can see what difference it made, although I'm not done doing tuning on it so it may go lower for the "after" or "detuned" mods.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 30
Where are these $2,000-$3,000 headers??? Even for a full set of LG I think its only $1499.00 and they are the $$$ ones. Go for it man! They give an awesome gain, I myself will be getting Kooks w/ a Kooks xpipe to go with my Borla stingers.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA.
Headers...Yes or No
I think every CF member has probably asked him, or herself, the very same question! It can, and will, truly make you crazy 
......until you finally answer the question, "How much money do I want to ultimately spend?"
It sounds cool to say you've got headers, but in my opinion cost of headers which will only make 5-10HP difference very expensive HP...
IF I were you, I would do headers LAST.....after you have done a head and cam package. That kind of performance investment would definitely justify the cost of headers, as headers will enhanch the performance level of the head and cam package.
My $.02...for what it's worth!!
Good Luck...
......until you finally answer the question, "How much money do I want to ultimately spend?"It sounds cool to say you've got headers, but in my opinion cost of headers which will only make 5-10HP difference very expensive HP...
IF I were you, I would do headers LAST.....after you have done a head and cam package. That kind of performance investment would definitely justify the cost of headers, as headers will enhanch the performance level of the head and cam package.
My $.02...for what it's worth!!
Good Luck...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA.
Headers...Yes or No
I think every CF member has probably asked him, or herself, the very same question! It can, and will, truly make you crazy ......until you finally answer the question, "How much money do I want to ultimately spend?"
It sounds cool to say you've got headers, but in my opinion cost of headers which will only make 5-10HP difference and makes it very expensive HP...
IF I were you, I would do headers LAST.....after you have done a head and cam package. That kind of performance investment would definitely justify the cost of headers, as headers will enhanch the performance level of the head and cam package.
My $.02...for what it's worth!!
Good Luck...
......until you finally answer the question, "How much money do I want to ultimately spend?"It sounds cool to say you've got headers, but in my opinion cost of headers which will only make 5-10HP difference and makes it very expensive HP...
IF I were you, I would do headers LAST.....after you have done a head and cam package. That kind of performance investment would definitely justify the cost of headers, as headers will enhanch the performance level of the head and cam package.
My $.02...for what it's worth!!
Good Luck...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Most of the major brands of headers (kooks, lg's AH, Dynatech etc) will get you about 20-30RWHP gain, but what you have to realize is that to get the added horsepower, you have to have someone professionally Tune your car..and that will run you anywhere from 300-500 dollars extra.
If you are planning to add more power mods (heads cam etc) in the future, then I say headers are Very worth the money...otherwise you will leave power on the table, and waste money on heads/cam and not get the full potential.
The aftermarket headers are 5 times better than stock manifolds. GM has to meet emission requirements, cost factors etc... the stock parts are not bad, but know way you can compare them to aftermarket headers
1000's of people have proven results right here on the forum that say otherwise.
It all comes down to HP vs per dollar. Do you want to spend 1500+ dollars to get 20 or 25 RWHP.
If you are planning to add more power mods (heads cam etc) in the future, then I say headers are Very worth the money...otherwise you will leave power on the table, and waste money on heads/cam and not get the full potential.
The aftermarket headers are 5 times better than stock manifolds. GM has to meet emission requirements, cost factors etc... the stock parts are not bad, but know way you can compare them to aftermarket headers
1000's of people have proven results right here on the forum that say otherwise.
It all comes down to HP vs per dollar. Do you want to spend 1500+ dollars to get 20 or 25 RWHP.