Which One First: Headers or Cat Back?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 45
From: St Paul, MN; Orlando, FL
Which One First: Headers or Cat Back?
2001 Vert with stock exhaust demanding an upgrade.
Want to go with headers and GHL Bullets, but can't do both this year. Wouldn't think it would hurt to do headers first, but would I gain anything with the stock cat back bottlenecking the improved flow?
Would the "AA" muffler mod be helpful in the interim, or should I fix the cat back constraint before changing the headers?
Thanks for your advice!
Want to go with headers and GHL Bullets, but can't do both this year. Wouldn't think it would hurt to do headers first, but would I gain anything with the stock cat back bottlenecking the improved flow?
Would the "AA" muffler mod be helpful in the interim, or should I fix the cat back constraint before changing the headers?
Thanks for your advice!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
depends on that your looking for.
Just headers with nothing else changed, will give you a little more power, but hardly enough to just say WOW. It will change your exhaust note slightly.
Just change your cat backs and nothing else, will have little power gain, but a much better sound which gets better with each modification.
Me personnelly 8 years ago when I purchased the car, my first purchase was the GHL exhaust thinking that was all I was going to do. When I ended up doing all the bolt ons at once.
either way, just because the car sounds better doesnt mean its faster. You just end up holding your foot in it longer because it sounds much better
Just headers with nothing else changed, will give you a little more power, but hardly enough to just say WOW. It will change your exhaust note slightly.
Just change your cat backs and nothing else, will have little power gain, but a much better sound which gets better with each modification.
Me personnelly 8 years ago when I purchased the car, my first purchase was the GHL exhaust thinking that was all I was going to do. When I ended up doing all the bolt ons at once.
either way, just because the car sounds better doesnt mean its faster. You just end up holding your foot in it longer because it sounds much better
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 9
From: Dublin GA
The stock exhaust are a restriction, but not as bad as some (cat back vendors
) would have you believe. My wife's car has headers, no cats and stock mufflers, and not only does it sound great, she is making some GREAT hp#s for her mods
Catbacks are more for sound than performance IMO.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Do the headers first. If you ever get out to any of the big corvette shows, such as Bloomington Gold, Carlisle, Mid America. They have booths setup with many exhaust vendors. They will install a catback you purchase there for free right at the show. Takes them 30min. Best opportunity around for getting a catback put on. They usually offer a show discount on the purchase prices for there exhausts too. This however does not apply to a header install only catbacks.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Check the for sale section for catbacks as well. Usually a catback is a good thing to buy used, because it generally doesn't wear out if it's stainless, and generally can't be defective or damaged from useage.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
You will get all the power gain from the headers.
The stock exhaust is not tht restrictive and an aftermarket might give 5 HP gain if you are lucky.
The change to headers will also give you more rumble.
The stock exhaust is not tht restrictive and an aftermarket might give 5 HP gain if you are lucky.
The change to headers will also give you more rumble.
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario
Depends on that your looking for.
Just headers with nothing else changed, will give you a little more power, but hardly enough to just say WOW. It will change your exhaust note slightly.
Just change your cat backs and nothing else, will have little power gain, but a much better sound which gets better with each modification.
either way, just because the car sounds better doesnt mean its faster. You just end up holding your foot in it longer because it sounds much better
Just headers with nothing else changed, will give you a little more power, but hardly enough to just say WOW. It will change your exhaust note slightly.
Just change your cat backs and nothing else, will have little power gain, but a much better sound which gets better with each modification.
either way, just because the car sounds better doesnt mean its faster. You just end up holding your foot in it longer because it sounds much better
I changed to Corsa Pace Car catback exhaust and I just love keeping my foot planted to hear that beautiful music....
especially sonorous driving through bridge underpasses,
or cruising in underground parking garages,
and driving city boulevards where there are office buildings
on both side of the roadway.
I vowed to do the headers some time in the future.
Well, it's now almost 10 years and I still haven't done the headers!
I just find my Vette to be plenty quick for me!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 0
I did the catback first,sounded great,then did the headers and a tune and it sounds and feels even better. I don't think you could go wrong doing them at the same time,probably will save some money on the install.
