[Z06] What First - Catbacks or Headers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25
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From: Yorktown VA
What First - Catbacks or Headers
There are a lot of opinions out there – usually from non-Z06 owners – about which mod is more useful – catbacks or headers. I have the stock titanium exhaust system on my 04.
Headers
- Pro’s – more HP/Torque, good sound/value
- Con’s – cost, install cost/ difficulty, increased interior heat
Catbacks
- Pro’s – Better sound, easy install
- Con’s – Cost; Not much bang for the buck
Over time, I could eventually do both – which will I be happier with from the get go based on performance improvement? Did I miss anything?
Headers
- Pro’s – more HP/Torque, good sound/value
- Con’s – cost, install cost/ difficulty, increased interior heat
Catbacks
- Pro’s – Better sound, easy install
- Con’s – Cost; Not much bang for the buck
Over time, I could eventually do both – which will I be happier with from the get go based on performance improvement? Did I miss anything?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 4
From: Belhaven North Carolina
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
There are a lot of opinions out there – usually from non-Z06 owners – about which mod is more useful – catbacks or headers. I have the stock titanium exhaust system on my 04.
Headers
- Pro’s – more HP/Torque, good sound/value
- Con’s – cost, install cost/ difficulty, increased interior heat
Catbacks
- Pro’s – Better sound, easy install
- Con’s – Cost; Not much bang for the buck
Over time, I could eventually do both – which will I be happier with from the get go based on performance improvement? Did I miss anything?
Headers
- Pro’s – more HP/Torque, good sound/value
- Con’s – cost, install cost/ difficulty, increased interior heat
Catbacks
- Pro’s – Better sound, easy install
- Con’s – Cost; Not much bang for the buck
Over time, I could eventually do both – which will I be happier with from the get go based on performance improvement? Did I miss anything?
I'd say you hit the options and the pro's and con's right on the head.
I think the answer depends on what you are looking for. If you want a performance increase long tube headers are the way to go.
If you are looking for a more agressive sound without much gain in performance then a cat back would be the choice for you.
My Z16 just happens to have both. I noticed that you are from Yorktown, if you would like to hear or drive my car so you can see what a difference it makes just let me know and we can work out a time we can get together.
We have a great group of Vette owners from Richmond and Tidewater areas that get together for gatherings quite often. We'd love to have you join us sometime. In fact Saturday afternoon Oct 27 we will be racing go karts at G Force Karts in Richmond if you are free to join us.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1829893
Look for the threads in the Southeast section of the Forum and you can get a feel for all the different things we are into. We are in the planning stages of a cruise in the Yorktown area that I'm sure you would be interested in.
Last edited by wayneinvirginia; Oct 27, 2007 at 12:55 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
I'd say you hit the options and the pro's and con's right on the head.
I think the answer depends on what you are looking for. If you want a performance increase long tube headers are the way to go.
If you are looking for a more agressive sound without much gain in performance then a cat back would be the choice for you.
My Z16 just happens to have both. I noticed that you are from Yorktown, if you would like to hear or drive my car so you can see what a difference it makes just let me know and we can work out a time we can get together.
We have a great group of Vette owners from Richmond and Tidewater areas that get together for gatherings quite often. We'd love to have you join us sometime. In fact Saturday Oct 27 we will be racing go karts at G Force Karts in Richmond if you are free to join us.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1829893
Look for the threads in the Southeast section of the Forum and you can get a feel for all the different things we are into. We are in the planning stages of a cruise in the Yorktown area that I'm sure you would be interested in.
I think the answer depends on what you are looking for. If you want a performance increase long tube headers are the way to go.
If you are looking for a more agressive sound without much gain in performance then a cat back would be the choice for you.
My Z16 just happens to have both. I noticed that you are from Yorktown, if you would like to hear or drive my car so you can see what a difference it makes just let me know and we can work out a time we can get together.
We have a great group of Vette owners from Richmond and Tidewater areas that get together for gatherings quite often. We'd love to have you join us sometime. In fact Saturday Oct 27 we will be racing go karts at G Force Karts in Richmond if you are free to join us.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1829893
Look for the threads in the Southeast section of the Forum and you can get a feel for all the different things we are into. We are in the planning stages of a cruise in the Yorktown area that I'm sure you would be interested in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Blue Z16 -
Headers. Hands down.
You have the absolute best catback you can put on a C5 -
Long tube headers will give you a better sound and a real performance increase.
In my opinion, if you get rid of your Ti catback, you will regret it.
I have a 2002 Z with the stock catback, LG Longtubes and off road x-pipe (no cats).
It sounds great and I make 389 rwhp.
You can alter the sound with a catback, but very little is gained performance wise.
best regards -
mqqn
Headers. Hands down.
You have the absolute best catback you can put on a C5 -
Long tube headers will give you a better sound and a real performance increase.
In my opinion, if you get rid of your Ti catback, you will regret it.
I have a 2002 Z with the stock catback, LG Longtubes and off road x-pipe (no cats).
It sounds great and I make 389 rwhp.
You can alter the sound with a catback, but very little is gained performance wise.
best regards -
mqqn
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
Hi Blue Z16 -
Headers. Hands down.
You have the absolute best catback you can put on a C5 -
Long tube headers will give you a better sound and a real performance increase.
In my opinion, if you get rid of your Ti catback, you will regret it.
I have a 2002 Z with the stock catback, LG Longtubes and off road x-pipe (no cats).
It sounds great and I make 389 rwhp.
You can alter the sound with a catback, but very little is gained performance wise.
best regards -
mqqn
Headers. Hands down.
You have the absolute best catback you can put on a C5 -
Long tube headers will give you a better sound and a real performance increase.
In my opinion, if you get rid of your Ti catback, you will regret it.
I have a 2002 Z with the stock catback, LG Longtubes and off road x-pipe (no cats).
It sounds great and I make 389 rwhp.
You can alter the sound with a catback, but very little is gained performance wise.
best regards -
mqqn
Totally!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
Heat
How much heat is actually added with headers? I am about to have mine installed and some have recommended a ceramic coated tunnel plate, and some have said don't bother. I'm not concerned with the added rigidity of the tunnel plate and I don't want to get one unless the heat is going to bother me with my headers.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 4
From: Belhaven North Carolina
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
How much heat is actually added with headers? I am about to have mine installed and some have recommended a ceramic coated tunnel plate, and some have said don't bother. I'm not concerned with the added rigidity of the tunnel plate and I don't want to get one unless the heat is going to bother me with my headers.
I didn't add any heat resistant material to my tunnel when I installed my long tubes. The only time I notice any additional heat is when I am stuck in traffic for an extended period of time. What you do get is an increased amount of valve train noise that you can hear. At times I would swear that I can hear the exhaust pulses.
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
If I ever pull the trigger on long tube headers I will KEEP the standard Ti axle back in place. Many aftermarket CAT-backs are way too loud for me and my neighbors. It gets expensive if you aren't happy with the sound and start trying other manufacturers offerings!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 0
From: CT
ARH headers, I just had a set put on. I already had B&B Bullets I put on last year. Together the sound is AMAZING
I haven't had it tuned or dynoed since the header install. And it's never been tuned.
Dynoed it once last year (2003 Z06) with a crappy dirt covered original air filter and put down 365.1 rwhp guessing I am in the range of ~390 now with no tune give or take.
While I never regret doing the Bullets first (didn't have header money at the time) If I had a choice headers first.
I haven't had it tuned or dynoed since the header install. And it's never been tuned.
Dynoed it once last year (2003 Z06) with a crappy dirt covered original air filter and put down 365.1 rwhp guessing I am in the range of ~390 now with no tune give or take.
While I never regret doing the Bullets first (didn't have header money at the time) If I had a choice headers first.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
How much heat is actually added with headers? I am about to have mine installed and some have recommended a ceramic coated tunnel plate, and some have said don't bother. I'm not concerned with the added rigidity of the tunnel plate and I don't want to get one unless the heat is going to bother me with my headers.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
I don't see this question as all that different than, "should I buy the stick on Z06 brake ducts or the real ones?"
fake= get the look+ cheaper + easier to install
real = get the look+ cost more + harder to install + fuction
It's just my opinion, but why not make an actual upgrade that has a side effect of more noise instead of just paying for more noise? Also, I have not noticed more heat after headers.
fake= get the look+ cheaper + easier to install
real = get the look+ cost more + harder to install + fuction
It's just my opinion, but why not make an actual upgrade that has a side effect of more noise instead of just paying for more noise? Also, I have not noticed more heat after headers.
Last edited by ptindall; Oct 27, 2007 at 12:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 688
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From: las Vegas N.V.
I did B&B PRT's first. Then added LT headers no cats a year latter. Yesterday I put the TI's back on. I really like the sound, its exotic sounding.
But if you want LOUD you cannot beat LT headers no cats and a after market cat back like PRT's or Bullets.
But if you want LOUD you cannot beat LT headers no cats and a after market cat back like PRT's or Bullets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,121
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From: Vilano Beach FL
The stock Ti's have a completely different sound than just about every OEM and aftermarket exhaust I've heard . It's an interesting mix of exotic and ol' school. The Ti's also have -zero- drone at highway cruising speeds, even with headers (w/ or w/o cats!).
The other thing - and this may sound a little silly - but it's one of the unique elements of the Z06 package. A production titanium exhaust! (I believe there's even something about 1st production use in such a system?). Kind like replacing your Z16 carbon hood!
The tips look great (the Ti pipes looks pretty cool after it's cooked for a while), the sound is good (and great with some headers) and it's the lightest "full muffler" system you'll find.
Since headers net you more power by a good bit, start there, and figure out if you want more/different sound afterwords. It's not like there's much economy of scale with the install (like doing a clutch w/ headers).
Have fun!
DT
The other thing - and this may sound a little silly - but it's one of the unique elements of the Z06 package. A production titanium exhaust! (I believe there's even something about 1st production use in such a system?). Kind like replacing your Z16 carbon hood!
The tips look great (the Ti pipes looks pretty cool after it's cooked for a while), the sound is good (and great with some headers) and it's the lightest "full muffler" system you'll find.
Since headers net you more power by a good bit, start there, and figure out if you want more/different sound afterwords. It's not like there's much economy of scale with the install (like doing a clutch w/ headers).
Have fun!
DT
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
Performance improvement
Headers + dyno tune for the most improvement. Then listen, you may like the sound as is and be money ahead...sorta
As mentioned above, nows a great time to install a shielded or coated tunnel plate as well. There goes that money ahead...oh well.
As mentioned above, nows a great time to install a shielded or coated tunnel plate as well. There goes that money ahead...oh well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
Love the comments on making the neighbors happy...LOL
The heck with neighbors and my noisy cars. I sure wouldn't base my purchased based on how my neighbors feel about noise. I'm sure my neighbors love me when I'm pulling my track cars on or off the trailer at 3 in the morning.
The heck with neighbors and my noisy cars. I sure wouldn't base my purchased based on how my neighbors feel about noise. I'm sure my neighbors love me when I'm pulling my track cars on or off the trailer at 3 in the morning.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Headers first, without a doubt. You want improved performance? Headers (and a tune) will net a much, much higher percent increase than catbacks. And, I would add "better sound" as a "pro" to the headers as well. It didn't add much heat either. But, to me, the added stiffening would also be an appreciable improvement.
Speed
Speed