Considering headers on a daily driver
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
Considering headers on a daily driver
I am about to pull the trigger on a set of headers and x-pipe for my daily driver '99. I put headers on my '94, and remember grumbling a couple of times about having to retighten bolts, and occasional check engine light. I'm looking for opinions from other daily drivers. Would you put headers on your C5 again?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,430
Likes: 1
From: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
Just got my Z
I just bought my Z, in fact I have never seen it in person, but my brother drove the car 2.5 hours. It has LG headers, x-pipe, and the stock titanium mufflers. He said it sounded awesome. At cruising speeds it was quiet and until about 4500 rpm the car was still quiet!!!! I heard the Z over the phone, and fell in love!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi chevy406 -
I had LG put their longtube pro's on my 2002 Z06.
The only thing I would change is that I would have put them on long before I did!
My suggestion - do it right the first time, buy quality headers, do a quality install making sure all the details are covered (including a tune) and then just enjoy!
best regards -
mqqn
I had LG put their longtube pro's on my 2002 Z06.
The only thing I would change is that I would have put them on long before I did!
My suggestion - do it right the first time, buy quality headers, do a quality install making sure all the details are covered (including a tune) and then just enjoy!
best regards -
mqqn
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
ONLY way to go!
Just have it tuned for best performance and you'll never get any engine lights plus I don't believe I have or have heard of anyne needing to re-tighten their bolts!(Like the old Chevy's)
You'll love the power pick up fom these big time plus the sound is awesome
Thanks,Matt
Just have it tuned for best performance and you'll never get any engine lights plus I don't believe I have or have heard of anyne needing to re-tighten their bolts!(Like the old Chevy's)
You'll love the power pick up fom these big time plus the sound is awesome
Thanks,Matt
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Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
I appreciate all of the response, and not a single one trying to talk me out of modifying my car. Imagine that from this forum. Looks like a no-brainer. I don't expect big gains with just the exhaust, but I imagine down the road there will be other changes that would really need the free flowing exhaust.
What header gaskets work well for the LS1? Are all the stock heads 1.625" holes?
The bad thing is, I need to replace a header gasket on my old Nova too... I heard it start ticking the last time I drove it.
What header gaskets work well for the LS1? Are all the stock heads 1.625" holes?
The bad thing is, I need to replace a header gasket on my old Nova too... I heard it start ticking the last time I drove it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 30
I appreciate all of the response, and not a single one trying to talk me out of modifying my car. Imagine that from this forum. Looks like a no-brainer. I don't expect big gains with just the exhaust, but I imagine down the road there will be other changes that would really need the free flowing exhaust.
What header gaskets work well for the LS1? Are all the stock heads 1.625" holes?
The bad thing is, I need to replace a header gasket on my old Nova too... I heard it start ticking the last time I drove it.
What header gaskets work well for the LS1? Are all the stock heads 1.625" holes?
The bad thing is, I need to replace a header gasket on my old Nova too... I heard it start ticking the last time I drove it.
I had an LT1 too, lost several bolts and many backed out, I've never been fond of that engine because of all the problems it has. I'm glad they "started from scratch" with the LS1 because they needed to fix a long list of issues that the old engines had.
I don't know the size of the header bolt holes, but just get the Stage 8 locking bolt kit, I think its 19.99 from just about anywhere. Just use some anti-seize when putting them in and you should have no problems! Expect 25-30 at the wheels with a set of good 1 3/4" long tubes, I would not get the 1 7/8" on a stock cube car/daily driver.
Headers are my next mod, gonna get some Kooks w/x-pipe.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,837
Likes: 225
From: Hillsboro OR
Go for it! My DD is an 03, A4, Coupe. I'm putting on AR Headers (and a 2800 stall converter) as soon as my 3:42 gears arrive. 
Just be aware of the header/catback combo you choose. Certain combinations can very very loud and drone. I have the "quieter" Corsa Touring catback. IMHO, that combined with the AR Headers will sound great with no drone.
Just be aware of the header/catback combo you choose. Certain combinations can very very loud and drone. I have the "quieter" Corsa Touring catback. IMHO, that combined with the AR Headers will sound great with no drone.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 618
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
Go for it! My DD is an 03, A4, Coupe. I'm putting on AR Headers (and a 2800 stall converter) as soon as my 3:42 gears arrive. Just be aware of the header/catback combo you choose. Certain combinations can very very loud and drone. I have the "quieter" Corsa Touring catback. IMHO, that combined with the AR Headers will sound great with no drone.
Just be aware of the header/catback combo you choose. Certain combinations can very very loud and drone. I have the "quieter" Corsa Touring catback. IMHO, that combined with the AR Headers will sound great with no drone. Had Borla Stingers, sounded great except for the drone if you were in certain RPM's.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
The setup I am going to buy (notice the note of certainty now) is 1-3/4" TPIS ceramic coated with an x-pipe. I will be trading my stock manifolds, cats, and h-pipe so he can de-tune his car. I am a little concerned with the Borla Stingers after I add the headers and loose the cats. I'll try it with the Borlas, but I suspect it will be too loud for my DD taste. A guy at work is intersted in my Borlas if I get something else (like TIs).
The next step will be tuning. I can get HP Tuners and try on my own, or get a local tuner to set me up (roughly the same cost). I am a do-it myself person, and it is high time I learn more about EFI tuning, so I am leaning in that direction.
The next step will be tuning. I can get HP Tuners and try on my own, or get a local tuner to set me up (roughly the same cost). I am a do-it myself person, and it is high time I learn more about EFI tuning, so I am leaning in that direction.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
I got back from a quick trip to Nashville this evening around 7:45. I pulled to Corvette into the basement, put a fan over the engine, and started to remove the stock exhaust system. The h-pipe and cats came out in ~ 15 minutes, still pretty warm. The passenger manifold was next, and only had a problem with one broken stud. The driver's side manifold was a little more difficult to get off, but swinging the alternator out of the way did the trick. Stock system out in just a little over 1 hour. I plan to pick up my headers and x-pipe from CLHAKA tomorrow.
