Headers - are they worth it?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Headers - are they worth it?
I'm gradually updating my '02 LS1 convertable. So far I've added 3.73 rear, Corsa exhaust, Vararam intake, throttle body cooling bypass, braided brake lines with drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads, stall converter in the auto trans, Z06 sway bars, modulating third brake light, soon HIR (not HID) headlamps and I've added various chrome goodies including C6 chrome wheels. I'm thinking about putting headers on BUT, at $2,000 - 3,000 I have to wonder about the gain in HP. Appreciate opinions and suggested brands (what about Dynatech?). Thanks...TW
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 689
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From: West Jordan Utah
I have been wondering the same. My last experience with headers was extreme under hood heat, fried spark plug wires, starter motor failure, and leak city. Was not worth the performance gain. 
Last edited by robertlthomson; Jun 25, 2007 at 02:51 PM. Reason: spelling
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,066
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St. Jude Donor '06
Try a search, there's been a ton of discussion regarding this as well as brands of headers.
I would say headers are one of the first steps to HP upgrades. It was the first thing I added after the catback. You've already done gears and Vararam, I'd say it's the next logical step.
Good Luck
I would say headers are one of the first steps to HP upgrades. It was the first thing I added after the catback. You've already done gears and Vararam, I'd say it's the next logical step.
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 15
From: Hurricane Alley
Try a search, there's been a ton of discussion regarding this as well as brands of headers.
I would say headers are one of the first steps to HP upgrades. It was the first thing I added after the catback. You've already done gears and Vararam, I'd say it's the next logical step.
Good Luck
I would say headers are one of the first steps to HP upgrades. It was the first thing I added after the catback. You've already done gears and Vararam, I'd say it's the next logical step.
Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '06
Wow, sounds like a bad experience.
I live in Phoenix, it's been in the 110's lately. I haven't had one problem with burnt wires, starter or leaks. And I did heads and cam last summer. I'd say you are the exception with those problems
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
If you plan to go further with mods then its definitly worth it. Theres several different brands out there you can go with. I don't think theres one thats flat out the best brand. If cost is a concern you can always keep an eye out in the for sale section for a set of used ones.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
ON a related note, what about a cam or head/cam upgrade in relation to headers... before/after?
I think this thread could be a good discussion. There are a lot of people (like myself) out there who know "of" these various upgrades but don't fully understand the order they should be done in, pros and cons of each, and so on.
I think this thread could be a good discussion. There are a lot of people (like myself) out there who know "of" these various upgrades but don't fully understand the order they should be done in, pros and cons of each, and so on.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,783
Likes: 15
From: Hurricane Alley
ON a related note, what about a cam or head/cam upgrade in relation to headers... before/after?
I think this thread could be a good discussion. There are a lot of people (like myself) out there who know "of" these various upgrades but don't fully understand the order they should be done in, pros and cons of each, and so on.
I think this thread could be a good discussion. There are a lot of people (like myself) out there who know "of" these various upgrades but don't fully understand the order they should be done in, pros and cons of each, and so on.
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,586
Likes: 1,698
From: Converse TX
Heck ya get some headers, look out on the parts section for some used ones if you do not want to pay street price. Once you get the headers on with your other mods it will be time for a tune and your baby will really wake up and the sound will be for the better
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
Stock exhaust manifolds will be to restrictive and will kill the performance gains of a heads/cam. However you will still have the same end result if you do H/C first and headers later. Dont think theres one right and one wrong way of doing it. Whatever floats your boat.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Oz
Incidently, I have a STOCK cat back. Nothing aftermarket.
I agree with the rest of your statement.
Last edited by threewinmag; Jun 25, 2007 at 03:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,279
Likes: 3
From: Fallbrook Califronia
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.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Oz
To be fair, I don't have an LS6, I have an LS1, but I don't agree about the headers and I certainly don't agree with the catback statement. From the dyno, I'm only giving up 4 rwhp with the stock catback.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
Oh, I wouldn't say that. My buddy's got the same list of mods as I do (without long tube headers) and you can't scoff at his 405 rwhp and 375 rwtq. HOWEVER, with my Dynatech's and high flow cats.....well, you can see the difference. And, I would do the headers and head/cam package at the same time. You'll get a better OVERALL (back off you nick pickers!) install price doing it at the same time.
100% fact-aftermarket headers are better than factory manifolds. It's also commonly accepted that catback produces very little power gains over stock exhaust, especially the Ti's.
