Exhaust / Headers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: St. Albert
Exhaust / Headers
Is it possible to keep the same exhaust and just put headers on it to add some growl. If not I was going to put on the MagnaFlow with the X-Pipe. Also what would be the difference if you were to only put headers on it? Changeing the exhaust does that increase the HorsePower. PS: you guys are great on here
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Is it possible to keep the same exhaust and just put headers on it to add some growl. If not I was going to put on the MagnaFlow with the X-Pipe. Also what would be the difference if you were to only put headers on it? Changeing the exhaust does that increase the HorsePower. PS: you guys are great on here
If that is the case, be advised that bolting on headers is not as simple as it seems. LTs will require new and smaller cats so they fit under the car and new cat-back system.
There are brackets wires and hoses that close to the stock system that have to be modified or moved to protect them from the increased bulk and heat of the LT headers.
In other words, you will NOT be able to run a stock cat-back with LT headers. If I am wrong, (I doubt it
) I am sure others will chime in with their take
EDIT: I assume you are wanting LT headers and not shorties.
Last edited by Chemdawg99; Oct 13, 2007 at 06:02 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
You can get a set of Kook's with stock cat adaptors if you wish. Lingenfelter sells them as well as the Dynatech's if you would like to compare the two systems. The Kook's are a long tube system.
Last edited by B-Vette; Oct 13, 2007 at 09:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 963
From: Communist Colorado
[QUOTE=Chemdawg99
In other words, you will NOT be able to run a stock cat-back with LT headers. If I am wrong, (I doubt it ) I am sure others will chime in with their take
Yes you can. You can buy or build cat adapters. Also, with longtubes & an X-pipe you can add hi-flow cats to stay legal & still run the stock tailpipes & mufflers.
In other words, you will NOT be able to run a stock cat-back with LT headers. If I am wrong, (I doubt it
) I am sure others will chime in with their takeYes you can. You can buy or build cat adapters. Also, with longtubes & an X-pipe you can add hi-flow cats to stay legal & still run the stock tailpipes & mufflers.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: Waukee IA
I am assuming that you currently have a stock exhaust?
If that is the case, be advised that bolting on headers is not as simple as it seems. LTs will require new and smaller cats so they fit under the car and new cat-back system.
There are brackets wires and hoses that close to the stock system that have to be modified or moved to protect them from the increased bulk and heat of the LT headers.
In other words, you will NOT be able to run a stock cat-back with LT headers. If I am wrong, (I doubt it ) I am sure others will chime in with their take
EDIT: I assume you are wanting LT headers and not shorties.
If that is the case, be advised that bolting on headers is not as simple as it seems. LTs will require new and smaller cats so they fit under the car and new cat-back system.
There are brackets wires and hoses that close to the stock system that have to be modified or moved to protect them from the increased bulk and heat of the LT headers.
In other words, you will NOT be able to run a stock cat-back with LT headers. If I am wrong, (I doubt it
) I am sure others will chime in with their takeEDIT: I assume you are wanting LT headers and not shorties.
Many LT Headers come with an Xpipe arrangement to take the exhaust back to the "cat back" connection point. What's a little trickier is getting Long tube headers-only arrangements to interface with a factory H pipe... involves cutting/welding generally.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Actually I installed my LG long tubes/X pipe setup and ran it with the stock exhaust for a little while (while I was shopping for a cat back).
Many LT Headers come with an Xpipe arrangement to take the exhaust back to the "cat back" connection point. What's a little trickier is getting Long tube headers-only arrangements to interface with a factory H pipe... involves cutting/welding generally.
Many LT Headers come with an Xpipe arrangement to take the exhaust back to the "cat back" connection point. What's a little trickier is getting Long tube headers-only arrangements to interface with a factory H pipe... involves cutting/welding generally.
here's the Chemdawg's philosophy on mods, especially extensive ones like headers. There are quality headers out there (LG is VERY good). IMHO, you are not going to get a clean install (DIY or professional) keeping the stock cat-back. You are not taking advantage of the full potential of the headers. This is taking the cheap way out, and I promise you that you will pay now or pay later. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If you are going to go with headers, change the rest of the system along with it if you want OPTIMAL results
Last edited by Chemdawg99; Oct 13, 2007 at 11:47 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: Waukee IA
Okay,
here's the Chemdawg's philosophy on mods, especially extensive ones like headers. There are quality headers out there (LG is VERY good). IMHO, you are not going to get a clean install (DIY or professional) keeping the stock cat-back. You are not taking advantage of the full potential of the headers. This is taking the cheap way out, and I promise you that you will pay now or pay later. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If you are going to go with headers, change the rest of the system along with it if you want OPTIMAL results
here's the Chemdawg's philosophy on mods, especially extensive ones like headers. There are quality headers out there (LG is VERY good). IMHO, you are not going to get a clean install (DIY or professional) keeping the stock cat-back. You are not taking advantage of the full potential of the headers. This is taking the cheap way out, and I promise you that you will pay now or pay later. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If you are going to go with headers, change the rest of the system along with it if you want OPTIMAL results
Yep. Factory mufflers flow pretty well but I wouldn't want to try to blend a long tube header setup into a factory exhaust as my "permanent" solution.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
Let's go back to the first question on this thread by "rskeller." "Is it possible to keep the same exhaust and just put on headers..." YES!!!!!!
Long tube Kook's (for example), can be ordered with factory adapters - all premade by Kook. There is no need for custom work at all. The majority of your horsepower doesn't come from your exhaust pipes, it comes from the headers. Also, the only difference in horsepower between stock cats and aftermarket is 5 HP. You'd be hard pressed to notice any difference unless it's on a dyno. Why change something that isn't broken?
The beauty of the Kook setup for the C5 is that you can individually buy the components to change the cats, x-pipe, etc, later if you wish. Money maybe one of the chief reason's for not wanting to buy a complete system off the get go. Maybe the loudness, noise or drone of a complete header system and aftermarket exhaust may be another.
You will add noticeable "growl" to a stock muffler system with a long tube setup and pickup horsepower.
Long tube Kook's (for example), can be ordered with factory adapters - all premade by Kook. There is no need for custom work at all. The majority of your horsepower doesn't come from your exhaust pipes, it comes from the headers. Also, the only difference in horsepower between stock cats and aftermarket is 5 HP. You'd be hard pressed to notice any difference unless it's on a dyno. Why change something that isn't broken?
The beauty of the Kook setup for the C5 is that you can individually buy the components to change the cats, x-pipe, etc, later if you wish. Money maybe one of the chief reason's for not wanting to buy a complete system off the get go. Maybe the loudness, noise or drone of a complete header system and aftermarket exhaust may be another.
You will add noticeable "growl" to a stock muffler system with a long tube setup and pickup horsepower.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 13,459
Likes: 1
From: Westport, MA. www.tbyrnemotorsports.com - 1-877-4-TBYRNE
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Alot of people that go with headers and keep the stock exhaust will (including myself) will use the long tubes, cats and mid-pipes. They will bolt up to the rear section of the stock exhaust. There won't be a big change in the sound during normal driving. You'll notice that it might be a little deeper but not that much. The sound becomes more aggressive when you lay into the throttle. The stock exhaust will come to life a little more at that point.
Long tubes will usually take the sound of an aftermarket exhaust and kick that up a few notches too.
TBYRNE MOTORSPORTS LLC
ORDER LINE - 1-877-4-TBYRNE
E-MAIL - tbyrne@tbyrne.com
Supercharged "Z06 Body" 2005 Convertible For Sale (car pictured to the left)
Long tubes will usually take the sound of an aftermarket exhaust and kick that up a few notches too.
TBYRNE MOTORSPORTS LLC
ORDER LINE - 1-877-4-TBYRNE
E-MAIL - tbyrne@tbyrne.com
Supercharged "Z06 Body" 2005 Convertible For Sale (car pictured to the left)
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Alot of people that go with headers and keep the stock exhaust will (including myself) will use the long tubes, cats and mid-pipes. They will bolt up to the rear section of the stock exhaust. There won't be a big change in the sound during normal driving. You'll notice that it might be a little deeper but not that much. The sound becomes more aggressive when you lay into the throttle. The stock exhaust will come to life a little more at that point.
Long tubes will usually take the sound of an aftermarket exhaust and kick that up a few notches too.
TBYRNE MOTORSPORTS LLC
ORDER LINE - 1-877-4-TBYRNE
E-MAIL - tbyrne@tbyrne.com
Supercharged "Z06 Body" 2005 Convertible For Sale (car pictured to the left)
Long tubes will usually take the sound of an aftermarket exhaust and kick that up a few notches too.
TBYRNE MOTORSPORTS LLC
ORDER LINE - 1-877-4-TBYRNE
E-MAIL - tbyrne@tbyrne.com
Supercharged "Z06 Body" 2005 Convertible For Sale (car pictured to the left)
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
I would recommend using an H-pipe rather than a X-pipe, but with good fabrication you can go with a magnaflow/LT/x-pipe combo. It will probably cost you more though.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Okay,
here's the Chemdawg's philosophy on mods, especially extensive ones like headers. There are quality headers out there (LG is VERY good). IMHO, you are not going to get a clean install (DIY or professional) keeping the stock cat-back. You are not taking advantage of the full potential of the headers. This is taking the cheap way out, and I promise you that you will pay now or pay later. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If you are going to go with headers, change the rest of the system along with it if you want OPTIMAL results
here's the Chemdawg's philosophy on mods, especially extensive ones like headers. There are quality headers out there (LG is VERY good). IMHO, you are not going to get a clean install (DIY or professional) keeping the stock cat-back. You are not taking advantage of the full potential of the headers. This is taking the cheap way out, and I promise you that you will pay now or pay later. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If you are going to go with headers, change the rest of the system along with it if you want OPTIMAL results
Well, I'm glad you have a philosophy. If you knew what you were talking about, it might even be useful.
Almost every name-brand LT header (LG, Kooks, Dynatech, etc) comes primarily as a full system including headers, off-road pipes or hi-flow cats, and an X-pipe. The system almost always terminates in the same position as the stock system, allowing the use of the stock (or any other) catback. As for power, most catbacks will get you maybe 5-10 HP, so running with the stock system is not a horrible sin. When I had my LTs installed, the techs at LG told me that my stock cat-back was fine, and an aftermarket one might gain me 5 HP.
You can get LTs with adapters to attach to the stock sytem around the cats, but they usually require some welding and fabrication. Also, if the primaries are long enough (like LGs) the collectors end right about in the stock Cat location, making hookups to the stock midpipes a problem and require ditching the cats.