, and Z06 TI's!! 
I really hope that is sarcasm.....
Anyone install headers and then regret it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 2
From: The People's Republic of NY
Anyone install headers and then regret it?
I've had my 2003 Z06 for about two months now and I'm already getting the mod bug. I was thinking of putting on some headers and keeping the stock exhaust. Anyone install headers and then regret it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 235
From: Bangkok, Thailand
I have a 99 coupe and just did B&B shorty headers with Flowmasters. HUGE (performance) improvement and now it sounds like a Vette should. I had the ti's on it and it was too tame for me. I know the LS6's had much better manifolds than my LS1 had, so the difference would be less. If you don't want to go with LT's and a tune, the shortys are cheaper and you can install them at home. You'd be giving up a little to a set of LT's but I doubt it's as much as the shorty haters say.
just my 2 cents worth
just my 2 cents worth
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I'm sorry I did headers...not worth it and makes the car quieter...just go with the exhaust of your choice and stick with it...put the header $$$ into coilovers or wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Actually not. Keep in mind every situation is different. I have Dynotech headers and a Corsa Pace Car exhaust. My comment is regarding idling the car. My idle is extremely quiet...quieter than the stock components. It comes from the Corsas doing there job and the headers smoothing out the exhaust flow. Sure, there is a slight gain in hp, but nothing spectacular. For the $1350 I paid for the headers, and the $500 to have them installed it seems it would have been better bang for the buck to spend $1850 on something else...remember, you can't even see headers, whereas a new set of wheels jumps right out at you. The OP has it reversed, all he should do is keep the stock headers, and put on a new exhaust for best bang for the buck...and you can hear a new exhaust system.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: spring tx
yep
Actually not. Keep in mind every situation is different. I have Dynotech headers and a Corsa Pace Car exhaust. My comment is regarding idling the car. My idle is extremely quiet...quieter than the stock components. It comes from the Corsas doing there job and the headers smoothing out the exhaust flow. Sure, there is a slight gain in hp, but nothing spectacular. For the $1350 I paid for the headers, and the $500 to have them installed it seems it would have been better bang for the buck to spend $1850 on something else...remember, you can't even see headers, whereas a new set of wheels jumps right out at you. The OP has it reversed, all he should do is keep the stock headers, and put on a new exhaust for best bang for the buck...and you can hear a new exhaust system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,587
Likes: 974
From: Communist Colorado
Actually not. Keep in mind every situation is different. I have Dynotech headers and a Corsa Pace Car exhaust. My comment is regarding idling the car. My idle is extremely quiet...quieter than the stock components. It comes from the Corsas doing there job and the headers smoothing out the exhaust flow. Sure, there is a slight gain in hp, but nothing spectacular. For the $1350 I paid for the headers, and the $500 to have them installed it seems it would have been better bang for the buck to spend $1850 on something else...remember, you can't even see headers, whereas a new set of wheels jumps right out at you. The OP has it reversed, all he should do is keep the stock headers, and put on a new exhaust for best bang for the buck...and you can hear a new exhaust system.
To the OP.... Do the long tubes and add hi flow cats and an X pipe. Keep the titanium axle back. There are few if any cat back systems that flow better than a stock Ti system. The aftermarket is full of pretty and louder cat backs, but its stricktly form over function where aftermarket cat backs are concerned. When you get them installed, get a dyno tune done to take full advantage of them.
Aside from the cam install I did, the headers are the best bang for the buck mod that I could actually feel in the seat of my pants.
Last edited by 81c3; May 22, 2011 at 11:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
I guess your entitiled to your opinion as is anyone, but saying that headers give slight gain is really not acurate. Most long tube installs net 20-30hp at the wheels. Thats a nice gain by anyones standards. A cat back is where the OP would be wasting his money and efforts. Little gains are realized from cat back systems. They just make noise for the most part. Also, no C5 ever had stock headers. Theyre exhaust manifolds.
To the OP.... Do the long tubes and add hi flow cats and an X pipe. Keep the titanium axle back. There are few if any cat back systems that flow better than a stock Ti system. The aftermarket is full of pretty and louder cat backs, but its stricktly form over function where aftermarket cat backs are concerned. When you get them installed, get a dyno tune done to take full advantage of them.
Aside from the cam install I did, the headers are the best bang for the buck mod that I could actually feel in the seat of my pants.
To the OP.... Do the long tubes and add hi flow cats and an X pipe. Keep the titanium axle back. There are few if any cat back systems that flow better than a stock Ti system. The aftermarket is full of pretty and louder cat backs, but its stricktly form over function where aftermarket cat backs are concerned. When you get them installed, get a dyno tune done to take full advantage of them.
Aside from the cam install I did, the headers are the best bang for the buck mod that I could actually feel in the seat of my pants.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Actually not. Keep in mind every situation is different. I have Dynotech headers and a Corsa Pace Car exhaust. My comment is regarding idling the car. My idle is extremely quiet...quieter than the stock components. It comes from the Corsas doing there job and the headers smoothing out the exhaust flow. Sure, there is a slight gain in hp, but nothing spectacular. For the $1350 I paid for the headers, and the $500 to have them installed it seems it would have been better bang for the buck to spend $1850 on something else...remember, you can't even see headers, whereas a new set of wheels jumps right out at you. The OP has it reversed, all he should do is keep the stock headers, and put on a new exhaust for best bang for the buck...and you can hear a new exhaust system.
Last edited by 0331MARINE; May 22, 2011 at 11:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,587
Likes: 974
From: Communist Colorado
I think the $475(I dont fall for the name brand game) I paid for my LT's and X-pipe new were well worth the money(27rwhp). Before anyone says they wont last long because they were cheap, they have been on for over 4 years now. I guess if your into looks vs speed/power then yeah buy some wheels or a huge wing.......I cant think of another bolt on for the price that would have given me the same power gain.
Theres more than one way to skin a cat eh?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 21
From: Marlton. Increasing performance one speeding ticket at a time! NJ
Everyone has different priorities.
As someone mentioned above, he seemed to be more interested in how the car looks or sounds (can't see headers, put money into wheels or exhaust). Which is perfectly fine for him or anyone else. What you have to ask youself, is what do YOU want.
If you want measureable performance increases, headers are a great start. Headers are also the building block to many other performance modifications. Cams can be nice, but only really flow if you get headers on the car. Gears make the car feel faster, but just shift power bands.
I doubt you'll find too many people who are interested in performance gains that are disappointed by adding headers. But a quality set is not cheap. A good set of LG Pros or American Racing are close to 2k. Not chump change. There are other options such as auction site headers and buying used, so certainly can get something cheaper, but if you want the cream of the crop, you're going to pay.
So if YOU are more interested in show, then your money is spent better elsewhere. But if you want performance gains, headers are a great stepping stone.
As someone mentioned above, he seemed to be more interested in how the car looks or sounds (can't see headers, put money into wheels or exhaust). Which is perfectly fine for him or anyone else. What you have to ask youself, is what do YOU want.
If you want measureable performance increases, headers are a great start. Headers are also the building block to many other performance modifications. Cams can be nice, but only really flow if you get headers on the car. Gears make the car feel faster, but just shift power bands.
I doubt you'll find too many people who are interested in performance gains that are disappointed by adding headers. But a quality set is not cheap. A good set of LG Pros or American Racing are close to 2k. Not chump change. There are other options such as auction site headers and buying used, so certainly can get something cheaper, but if you want the cream of the crop, you're going to pay.
So if YOU are more interested in show, then your money is spent better elsewhere. But if you want performance gains, headers are a great stepping stone.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Show me lower taxes Missouri
I guess your entitiled to your opinion as is anyone, but saying that headers give slight gain is really not acurate. Most long tube installs net 20-30hp at the wheels. Thats a nice gain by anyones standards. A cat back is where the OP would be wasting his money and efforts. Little gains are realized from cat back systems. They just make noise for the most part. Also, no C5 ever had stock headers. Theyre exhaust manifolds.
To the OP.... Do the long tubes and add hi flow cats and an X pipe. Keep the titanium axle back. There are few if any cat back systems that flow better than a stock Ti system. The aftermarket is full of pretty and louder cat backs, but its stricktly form over function where aftermarket cat backs are concerned. When you get them installed, get a dyno tune done to take full advantage of them.
Aside from the cam install I did, the headers are the best bang for the buck mod that I could actually feel in the seat of my pants.
To the OP.... Do the long tubes and add hi flow cats and an X pipe. Keep the titanium axle back. There are few if any cat back systems that flow better than a stock Ti system. The aftermarket is full of pretty and louder cat backs, but its stricktly form over function where aftermarket cat backs are concerned. When you get them installed, get a dyno tune done to take full advantage of them.
Aside from the cam install I did, the headers are the best bang for the buck mod that I could actually feel in the seat of my pants.
Ranking the best bang for the buck in my opinion:
1. Gears - I had 2:73's went w/3:73's -Z06's don't apply w/3:43's
2. Supercharger - add up 3-7 in H.P.gains and Cost and S/C is hands down.
3. Headers
4. Cam
5. Torque Converter - obviously for Auto's
6. Heads
7. FAST intake and throttle body
Last edited by crosstheline; May 23, 2011 at 06:43 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
LOL! I'd LOVE for my car to be quieter and pick up more power. I'm in the market for headers as is. I'll probably be picking up LG Streets. The quieter, the better IMHO. If I could make my car so quiet that I could only hear it enough for shifting, I would. Interior noise on stock exhaust in my Z06 is too loud to hold a conversation with my girlfriend without hurting my throat.
The car is loud enough stock.
The car is loud enough stock.