Headers Install.....how much to pay?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 21
From: Orlando Florida
That seems like a pretty good deal.OP, if you have jack stands, do it yourself and use the money you save for another mod like new wires/plugs. You'll probably end up tearing the old wires up.
My suggestion is to get new bolts for the headers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
This is a fairly easy DIY. If your car is not a DD and you have the time a DIY is the way to go. I installed a set of LG Long Tube Headers, HF Cats, X-Pipe and a Z06 Ti catback. It was not that hard and I did it in one weekend.
Good luck with whatever you do.
Good luck with whatever you do.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 21
From: Orlando Florida
As for the original question, I see most places are in the $400-500 range. Way too much, IMO.
You will have to swing the alternator out of the way as well as removing the coil packs.
The bolts underneath the manifolds will probably end up breaking due to being rusted.
Having the exhaust system is also a good time to put in a tunnel plate if you have considered that.
You will have to swing the alternator out of the way as well as removing the coil packs.
The bolts underneath the manifolds will probably end up breaking due to being rusted.
Having the exhaust system is also a good time to put in a tunnel plate if you have considered that.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I agree with the DIY if you have a free weekend, a buddy to help out and a few beers lying around. What size/brand are we talking about? I hear the 1-3/4" headers are more likely to fit without having to move the engine, than the 1-7/8" ones. I was able to snake my 1-3/4" LG Streets in but it was pretty dang tight. But all in all, it wasn't really "hard". It just took some time, and my bro and I had fun doing it.
FYI there is a nice writeup here, which I used over the provided instructions. It covered about 90% of what I needed to know and the rest I just figured out along the way.
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
Be sure to get the F-body header gaskets, they have round ports instead of oval ones that the Vette gaskets have. You can see part numbers and comparison pics in the above link.
FYI there is a nice writeup here, which I used over the provided instructions. It covered about 90% of what I needed to know and the rest I just figured out along the way.
http://www.cajundude.com/longtubes.htm
Be sure to get the F-body header gaskets, they have round ports instead of oval ones that the Vette gaskets have. You can see part numbers and comparison pics in the above link.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,716
Likes: 24,676
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
In this area, I have been quoted approximately $400 for a LT header install.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
If you are somewhere in the Northeast, you can get them installed for free at Carlisle in 2 months. Last year, I was qutoed $1800 for AR long tubes with cats installed at the American Racing tent. I ran out of time due to the weather. I plan on getting them done this year though.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: houston texas
DIY, there is no substitute for learning to work on your own car, you'll learn many things doing it yourself. the satisfaction of DIY is great as well.
even if you have plenty of money, the experience is price less.
even if you have plenty of money, the experience is price less.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Don't pay more than 400. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, no worries. Don't let folks talk you into a DIY... they are right, from a tech standpoint, yea it is straight forward bolt on..but if you are not that agile with tools, it will not be that easy.
I did mine myself with the help of a friend who is a mechanic, we had a lift and shop tools.. I can't imagine trying to do it on a garage floor on jack stands...granted its not terrible but getting the car high enough off the car is a project in and of itself.
I did mine myself with the help of a friend who is a mechanic, we had a lift and shop tools.. I can't imagine trying to do it on a garage floor on jack stands...granted its not terrible but getting the car high enough off the car is a project in and of itself.
If you were serious.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Header Install
I just had a set of Kooks installed along with a new x-pipe which did away with the catalytic converters. Cost me $600 which included better gaskets and non-backout manifold bolts. I probably could have done it myself on jack stands but I like my knuckles the way they are. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
If you move ahead with the hedders make sure you put a heat shield around the starter motor. iF YOUR STARTER GOES OUT DUE TO THE EXTRA HEAT YOU WILL HAVE TO PULL THE EXHAUST ON ONE SIDE TO REPLACE THE STARTER
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,829
Likes: 1,843
From: NJ
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified