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[Z06] Opinion headers

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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
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Default Opinion headers

I have searched the forum with unsuccessful results, so yes I have searched for the past week.

Here is my situation. I am in a position to buy headers within the next week or two.
I am definately looking to spend over 1k.

My main choices are
stainless works
American Racing
LG Pro
Kooks

I am looking to buy name brand not gonna contribute to some cheap knock off brand, but I am wondering if 1 7/8 with full 3" and no cats is too large for a 5.7. I am also wondering if ceramic coated headers are worth it. Also will a 3" bolt up to factory axle back.

I am seriously considering the stainless works as they are 1200 shipped to my house while the kooks and AR are well over 1500. Also the LG does not offer anything over 1 3/4 for the c5

Hoping to hear everyone's personal opinion and experiences. Thank you.

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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 04:26 PM
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SoroZ,

If you want the best performance for your 5.7L engine you should purchase L.G. Motorsports - SP 5 134 - Super-Pro 1 3/4-inch headers, Random Technologies - 144-30000 - 3-inch, 100 cells-per-inch high-flow catalysts, and 3-inch X-pipe with whatever mufflers you want to run.

This is simply the best package for your Corvette.

-

Last edited by Pumba; Jul 24, 2011 at 06:47 AM.
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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 05:47 PM
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What are your future plans as far as mods to your engine?? 1-3/4 should be plenty up to 500- rwhp..
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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 06:07 PM
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thanks for posting this as i am in the same boat as you..and not sure what to go with but i have narrowed it down to the same ones that you picked...
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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 07:43 PM
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Hard to go wrong with LG's. I really love mine. They look so good when you get them out of the box that it sucks hiding them under the car.
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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Pumba
SoroZ,

If you want the best performance for your 5.7L engine you should purchase L.G. Motorsports - SP 5 134 -Super-Pro 1 3/4-inch headers, Random Technologies - 144-30000 - 3-inch, 100 cells-per-inch high-flow catalysts, and 3-inch X-pipe with whatever mufflers you want to run.

This is simply the best package for your Corvette.

-
+1
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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 08:10 PM
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Had LG's on my last C5Z. Great fitment! Best bang for buck for superior headers and x-pipe.
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Old Jul 23, 2011 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by soroZ
Also the LG does not offer anything over 1 3/4 for the c5
Unless you're planning on going H/C in the future, you don't need anything over 1.75".
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 06:24 PM
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Actually I am planning on making big power on the car in the next year, heads cam for sure, so the headers will have to flow pretty good.
but looks like I will be a 5.7 for a good couple years.
Thanks for all the opinions, seriously considering the stainless works due to price, and that I really do think 1 7/8 would work better for my application.
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Old Jul 24, 2011 | 07:28 PM
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I would go with ARH's for the reason being that they have better fitment, seal better, and don't throw o2 codes/foul out o2 sensors like the LG's do. I would also go with 1 7/8" headers if your doing a cam and heads in the future or if you decide to change your mind and go forced induction
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 12:37 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by musicmankeb
I would go with ARH's for the reason being that they have better fitment, seal better, and don't throw o2 codes/foul out o2 sensors like the LG's do. I would also go with 1 7/8" headers if your doing a cam and heads in the future or if you decide to change your mind and go forced induction
I don't know if you personally have had problem issues with the LG's, but mine have been on for several years now. I had absolutely no fitment issues other than installing them on my back. As far as O2 problems, there haven't been any nor any problem codes. After the install, I had my car tuned by Doug of ECS. He is excellent at what he does and my car has run perfectly in every possible way. I would definetely recommend the LG streets, they fit well, work and sound great and the polished finish adds to all the other plusses.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 12:56 AM
  #12  
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The only problem I have with the LGs are that they dont come in the 1 7/8 that I need, but they are good value and well known.
I would like the American Racing but they are a bit on the pricey side
I dont really have a price for the kooks either

The stainless works seem to be best of both worlds, decently priced $1200 shipped to my house but I haven't heard anything about the headers quite yet. So i'm still playing it safe.
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 02:12 AM
  #13  
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I've had a set of LG Pros for about 7 years, and now have over 600RWHP. The 1.75 tubes seem to work fine
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Old Jul 25, 2011 | 11:16 PM
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The question is what cam/heads do you plan to go with? A mild street cam/head will work great with a 1 3/4. If you go with something alittle more extreme with all out N/a power in mind then yes the 1 7/8's would suit you (and by all out i mean the car barely idles). As far as 1 3/4's are concerned every brand you are looking at are great headers. My personal pick would be kooks 1 3/4's full header/x pipe system because they are the only equal length header for the c5 and come with spear tipped merge collectors for around 1200bucks with no cats. LG's are another great header and offer a street system without the spear tipped merge collector or equal lengths for around the same price. Regardless you are talking a difference of a few horses between one quality header system and another. What is more important is your tune.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 01:02 AM
  #15  
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Well I am looking at a decent sized cam, and milled heads, I believe the 1 7/8 will suit me best. Seems like I'm leaning more toward the ARH the price difference isnt that much, just gonna wait around for a deal I guess.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 01:07 AM
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There is also the question of cats vs no cats, not much power difference but how bad is the smell and the sound?
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 03:13 AM
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The cats that are typically supplied by header manufacturers have such a small effect on hp that it isn't worth the negatives. 2-3 hp maybe. To me the smell is quite annoying. It can also be a pain depending on emission testing and requirements where you live.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 07:53 AM
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I see a lot of bold claims here.
We used 1 7/8" ARHs on our bolt-on C5Z with extraordinary results. ARHs hold all the pertinent quarter mile records.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 03:50 PM
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LG pros here with 3" x pipe. No cats into factory TI.


Sounds great, With a small blower cam only a 01z put down 408rwhp
and 395rwt.
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Old Jul 26, 2011 | 10:29 PM
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I'm also looking for headers. I wonder if anybody is going to run special pricing on ARH at Carlisle?
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