TorchRedRocket

Title says it all... I'm debating which direction I want to go with my car. I already have a Corsa catback and Vararam, and I am torn on whether I should freshen up the looks of my car and get a new set of wheels or go with headers and a dyno tune and get a nice bump in power and sound.

What would you do?

RetiredSFC 97

Do you race it?

Zap City

Depends on the wheels. Considering the same question myself.

tsbbzm

Wheels will def make the biggest change in a fresh look!!!

TorchRedRocket

No, I do not race it at all.

A wheel of my choice that I like better than the stock thinkspokes!

blacksedan87

I guess I'm a wheel snob - unless you are going for some expensive multi-piece forged wheels that don't add a lot of weight, I would go for the headers and tune package.

Wheels only look good when the car is standing still - when the car is rolling, you won't see them, and even then - they look like spinning disks.

Headers and a tune on the other hand are something that you will appreciate every time you start the car and drive it.

The politically correct response is do what makes you happy - but I hate politically correct responses!

corvettezman

I did not see a noticeable gain out of headers on my earlier 97, so my old C6 never got any headers, neither does my current 02.
There is a difference in sound though if you want louder.

I would have to go with wheels for the most bang for your buck !

C5Wolfe

You never saw a noticeable gain in performance with headers?

corvettezman

Not really. I am guessing on a stock car, headers are going to probably add no more than 20 HP (provided you do nothing else). I can't justify $1500 for 20 HP.

4SFED Z

Headers are cheap horsepower. You can't go wrong. Get a good tune. It will yield results. Wheels later....

Zap City

How bout a compromise. I'd like to add 18 fronts and 19 rears to toughen up the stance a bit. I've got a set of GHL bullets on the way to replace B&B bullets that are making my cabin buzz like crazy. Is there much advantage in going with a tune on a catback only car without headers? The difference saved will go some distance on some new wheels. Best of both worlds, or dreaming? Just thinking out loud. I'm looking to wake the car up a bit, but not necessarily run 10s on the track. Is a tune without headers a waste? I heard headers and a good tune is worth as much as 40 HP. That in my opinion is worth $1500.

corvettezman

You can probably get 15-20 Hp with a good tune without the headers on a stock car. A good tune will cost you about 100 to 150 bucks.
So that goes back to my theory that adding the headers is only good for 20 HP, now if that is worth $1500 to you, then go for it.

SLP on their web site claim a gain of 30 HP with their headers on a C6 LS2, so it would be safe to assume it would be lower than that on a LS1.

Vetteman Jack

More power is always good, but a fresh set of wheels can really make the car stand out in a crowd. I'd go with the wheels for now.

peter pan

The way you drive get some wheels

Vetteriffic

painter306

well to me more power for the same amount of fuel burned makes things more efficient, and to me that means better mileage and more fun. But i've never had headers on any vehicle i've owned. I'm not very big on cosmetic upgrades most of the time. Could you post some pics of the wheels you're thinking of, or a link to em?

leebay

Go 4 the wheels

herZ06

I say performance before looks, but that's just me. I drive my car, I love power, and the more I get the more I want. It's a sad addiction really... power=money and money=power, no matter how you look at it.

If you drive your car like a sports car and want to enjoy the power you can gain from headers/tune, then go with that. If you like to look at your car, maybe put it in a show every now and then, and making it look better makes you happy, then buy a set of wheels. Either way, whichever one you choose, down the road you could always get what you don't get this time.

BTW, I'll have headers off of vette #1 (that we're parting out) available soon. PM me for details if you're interested!

rootpooty

Ah my favorite question brad you know my answer! Your gonna spend more on wheels/tires then you would on headers/tune unless you find a smoking deal on a set of used wheels/tires here on the forum

4SFED Z

Im sorry but I disagree. You should get 35 with headers and tune.