Question on headers
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
Question on headers
I'm one of those Vette types that enjoys working on my car and gets a big sense of accomplishment for just turning wrenches myself. I've done oil changes, swapped brakes, replaced shocks, spark plugs, done the double DIN mod, ripped out the interior to install a stereo, etc, and I'm not intimidated at the thought of seeing parts of my car all over the garage floor.
That said, I've never really gotten into the more serious upgrades like headers and cams. But now I'm thinking of headers. My questions:
Are they going to affect everyday enjoyment and drivability? Will I even notice more noise?
Can they be installed in my garage with the car up on 4 jackstands?
And finally, I'm a big believer in "you get what you pay for." So if I were to get headers, is there a brand/type that's a no-brainer as far as quality and fit? (I'd also want to maintain the cats, btw).
Thanks in advance.
Rich
That said, I've never really gotten into the more serious upgrades like headers and cams. But now I'm thinking of headers. My questions:
Are they going to affect everyday enjoyment and drivability? Will I even notice more noise?
Can they be installed in my garage with the car up on 4 jackstands?
And finally, I'm a big believer in "you get what you pay for." So if I were to get headers, is there a brand/type that's a no-brainer as far as quality and fit? (I'd also want to maintain the cats, btw).
Thanks in advance.
Rich
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
1. Drivability will not be impacted. You will definitely notice a sound increase relative to your starting point. I started w/ GHL Bullets, so it's on the LOUD side.
2. I installed mine on jack stands (front) and ramps (rear).
3. I had pretty good luck w/ my LG Street headers, and the quality is phenomenal. I did have to enlarge the converter outlets a bit and tweak an air fitting, but it wasn't a big deal.
Good luck!
2. I installed mine on jack stands (front) and ramps (rear).
3. I had pretty good luck w/ my LG Street headers, and the quality is phenomenal. I did have to enlarge the converter outlets a bit and tweak an air fitting, but it wasn't a big deal.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
i did mine on jackstands.. front has to be fairly high up.. yes they will affect daily driving- will make it much more enjoyable to drive! 
... most people will reccomend ARH, LG, or Kooks.. have fun
... most people will reccomend ARH, LG, or Kooks.. have fun
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
I let my tuner do the install. At the time I had no way to get the car up high enough to try it myself. Supermaxx by Dynatech w/ HF cats and X-pipe. Superb quality and fitment, but not cheap!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I will say that the car is not alot louder - it's a little louder at all but WOT....then it's like someone unleashed the fury of Hell! Okay - maybe that's a slight exaggeration.....
It's deeper at idle, a little louder running through the gears and significantly louder at WOT. Beyond that, no driveability issues at all.
I did not install them myself - I had it done along with some other stuff at the same time. I have GHL headers that have been Jet-Hot coated. I am in no position to recommend one brand versus others, all I can say is I'm happy with the results. My SOTP gauge tells me I picked up a little in the mid-range....the car is feels a little quicker and pulls a little stronger, not so much from a standing start.
It's deeper at idle, a little louder running through the gears and significantly louder at WOT. Beyond that, no driveability issues at all.I did not install them myself - I had it done along with some other stuff at the same time. I have GHL headers that have been Jet-Hot coated. I am in no position to recommend one brand versus others, all I can say is I'm happy with the results. My SOTP gauge tells me I picked up a little in the mid-range....the car is feels a little quicker and pulls a little stronger, not so much from a standing start.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 12
From: Farnham Virginia
I recently installed a set of LG streets with cats. I installed them in my garage using only ramps, jackstands and floor jack. Quality of construction is great on the LGs.
I only notice a big difference in sound at WOT. It is a BIG diff at WOT. You'll love it!
I only notice a big difference in sound at WOT. It is a BIG diff at WOT. You'll love it!
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,179
Likes: 2,306
From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Installed myself with Rhino Ramps and Jack Stands.
btw. I have Kooks on mine.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Headers definitely increase the noise because of the long tubes. I bought Jet-Hots headers(ceramic coated inside and out for about half of the cost of some of the better known vette tax brands. They have been on almost three years now, look as good as new and zip problems. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
This is great... I'm really learning a lot and really appreciate the input. A couple more questions:
What is the benefit of coated headers? Longevity of appearance?
And I assume the difference between long tubes and shortys is that the LTs run the full length down to the exhaust while shortys just go from the block to the cats?
Rich
I'm really learning a lot and really appreciate the input. A couple more questions:What is the benefit of coated headers? Longevity of appearance?
And I assume the difference between long tubes and shortys is that the LTs run the full length down to the exhaust while shortys just go from the block to the cats?
Rich
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 929
Likes: 45
From: Wayne NJ
I had the pro's install my Kooks LT headers.They do not effect your drivability at all,they add a real nice power increase.My car got alittle louder under normal conditions and screams at WOT. I have Corsa's so my exhaust was not loud to start with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 2
From: The real question is; When you turn your car on, does it return the favor..
Cruise-In VIII & IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
I had American Racing Headers installed at ECS along with high flow cats and X-pipe. It does make the car sounds better IMHO. Love it... Mine are not coated and still look good. Then again mine is not a DD and never goes out in the rain and is only driven in the rain when I have no choice....
