Headers for Dummies help?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 39
From: SC
Headers for Dummies help?
Hi, I know nothing about headers so I need some guidance on what to order. To make things simple, lets just say I'm buying Kooks headers (the shop only sells Kooks which I have no problem with).
- 2000 C5 convertible (OO), 46K, 6spd with Magnaflow X-pipe and Corsa Pace car catback. X-pipe and Corsa will say on. I'm ONLY adding headers, NO Cam or cutouts.
- goal is to get more of a exhaust rumble, don't care about increase of HP.
Header questions:
-what size do order to match my existing exhaust? what's the difference between the pipe sizes (1 3/4 & 1 7/8)? Sound?
- Cats, can they use existing cats?
- coating, sounds like I want them coated, correct?
shop offers:
http://www.pcmofnc.com/product/1997-...ction-pipes-3/
thanks,
Mike
- 2000 C5 convertible (OO), 46K, 6spd with Magnaflow X-pipe and Corsa Pace car catback. X-pipe and Corsa will say on. I'm ONLY adding headers, NO Cam or cutouts.
- goal is to get more of a exhaust rumble, don't care about increase of HP.
Header questions:
-what size do order to match my existing exhaust? what's the difference between the pipe sizes (1 3/4 & 1 7/8)? Sound?
- Cats, can they use existing cats?
- coating, sounds like I want them coated, correct?
shop offers:
http://www.pcmofnc.com/product/1997-...ction-pipes-3/
thanks,
Mike
Last edited by mikeam; Sep 5, 2016 at 02:35 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Most headers come with a x-pipe with or without cats, mostly so they (manufacturers) can mate the headers to your cat-back exhaust. I ordered mine with high flow cats. Headers will give you more power, if you don't plan on any other mods you could go with smaller tubes. They will make your car sound much better, more of a tuned sound, you should also get a tune. Again if you are doing no other mods I would go with a mail order tune like from ECS.
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com
Last edited by Pounder; Sep 5, 2016 at 02:43 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 550
Likes: 53
From: Fort Myers Florida
Hi, I know nothing about headers so I need some guidance on what to order. To make things simple, lets just say I'm buying Kooks headers (the shop only sells Kooks which I have no problem with).
- 2000 C5 convertible (OO), 46K, 6spd with Magnaflow X-pipe and Corsa Pace car catback. X-pipe and Corsa will say on. I'm ONLY adding headers, NO Cam or cutouts.
- goal is to get more of a exhaust rumble, don't care about increase of HP.
Header questions:
-what size do order to match my existing exhaust? what's the difference between the pipe sizes (1 3/4 & 1 7/8)? Sound?
- Cats, can they use existing cats?
- coating, sounds like I want them coated, correct?
shop offers:
http://www.pcmofnc.com/product/1997-...ction-pipes-3/
thanks,
Mike
- 2000 C5 convertible (OO), 46K, 6spd with Magnaflow X-pipe and Corsa Pace car catback. X-pipe and Corsa will say on. I'm ONLY adding headers, NO Cam or cutouts.
- goal is to get more of a exhaust rumble, don't care about increase of HP.
Header questions:
-what size do order to match my existing exhaust? what's the difference between the pipe sizes (1 3/4 & 1 7/8)? Sound?
- Cats, can they use existing cats?
- coating, sounds like I want them coated, correct?
shop offers:
http://www.pcmofnc.com/product/1997-...ction-pipes-3/
thanks,
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 394
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
I strongly suggest going with a matched set of headers and x-pipe/converters. You will be miles ahead as aforementioned in getting everything to fit up right. You can likely sell your used X-pipe/converters to someone in need here on the forum.
I have a 2000 as well, and went with Kooks 1 7/8 vs. the 1 3/4 as I might go forced induction one day. If you never have plans of super or turbo charging, just go with the 1 3/4 (smaller) set.
Full details of what I did to my 2000:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-started.html
Take a look at my pictures and you will see why you want a matched setup. Axle-back exhausts are pretty much interchangeable; so this will work with yours.
Are you sure you just don't want to do cutouts instead? Then you can go loud when you want, and quiet when you want to sneak up on someone.
I have a 2000 as well, and went with Kooks 1 7/8 vs. the 1 3/4 as I might go forced induction one day. If you never have plans of super or turbo charging, just go with the 1 3/4 (smaller) set.
Full details of what I did to my 2000:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-started.html
Take a look at my pictures and you will see why you want a matched setup. Axle-back exhausts are pretty much interchangeable; so this will work with yours.
Are you sure you just don't want to do cutouts instead? Then you can go loud when you want, and quiet when you want to sneak up on someone.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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If you think you're going to be giving it a big bump in power one day (think forced induction) then go with the 1 7/8" headers. You may not maximize their capability while working with a bolt on or mild head/cam setup, but if you start going bigger displacement, or positive displacement, then they'll really shine.
The headers will make the car louder, but may not affect the sound as you might think or want. Cam is mainly going to be where you get that rumble sound from. That, and the Corsa's are pretty tame in sound when exhausts are concerned. A Magnaflow, LG Big 3 or Stainless Works, B&B, etc would give you a deeper rumble than the Corsa's, but you're going to sacrifice the best thing the Corsa gives you which is no drone.
The headers will make the car louder, but may not affect the sound as you might think or want. Cam is mainly going to be where you get that rumble sound from. That, and the Corsa's are pretty tame in sound when exhausts are concerned. A Magnaflow, LG Big 3 or Stainless Works, B&B, etc would give you a deeper rumble than the Corsa's, but you're going to sacrifice the best thing the Corsa gives you which is no drone.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Agree with above. Headers will give you a nicer sound, even a bit more volume (more under throttle, not much at idle), but nothing that much louder. If you're doing this for sound only, I'd buy different mufflers instead.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The only thing that going to SIGNIFICANTLY increase the engines LOUD OUTPUT is higher compression and a different cam.
YES, headers will give you some additional performance noise but your mufflers will need to support in the noise department. Be careful that you introduce unwanted DRONE if you chose a different muffler...
YES, I highly recommend coated headers. They significantly reduce under the hood temps and will look better a LOT longer.
I also recommend getting the matching midpipe.
BC
YES, headers will give you some additional performance noise but your mufflers will need to support in the noise department. Be careful that you introduce unwanted DRONE if you chose a different muffler...
YES, I highly recommend coated headers. They significantly reduce under the hood temps and will look better a LOT longer.
I also recommend getting the matching midpipe.
BC
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,594
Likes: 4,618
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I agree with the above. I added Kooks 1 3/4 long tube headers (ceramic coated) with Kooks matching x-pipe with hi-flow green cats and their mid pipes and they fit well and tucked under nicely after some adjusting. I went with the Kooks x-pipe with catted hi flow green cats so that the car wouldnt throw any codes or ned a tune at start up. They advertise that this is 95% not 100% guaranteed but my '99 did not throw any codes after I started it up after the installation. Still no codes 3 weeks later. The new Kooks headers are a breeze to install compared with any of the other brands. They slip in from undermeath without removing anything except the ground wire and no need to jack up the engine. You do have to remove the aternator and bracket to remove the driver side exhaust manifold. I suggest replacing belts while you have them removed. Takes about 5 1/2 hours with belt replacement.
Here is my thread about the install: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rs-are-in.html
I have a lot more pictures of the installation if you need to see anything in particular.
Mike
