Should I get new Headers?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
If you're gonna do headers I would highly recommend you might as well throw in a cam and a good tune. I did this to my 2K Vert in January after 17+ years (OO). Yes, it's gonna double the cost BUT NOW YOU'RE DONE (almost) :-)
I'm happy as a camper and the thrill is back BIG TIME!!! My link to the mod I had done...
I'm happy as a camper and the thrill is back BIG TIME!!! My link to the mod I had done...
It sounds really cool.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I like headers as an upgrade. I have put them on a couple dozen cars in the last 40 or 50 years. On every one there was a performance and economy gain.
My current C5 is a '99 6M. I have LG longtube super pro's with a B&B Route 66 axle back. (also a Vara ram and a FAST intake manifold). The combination added power and the economy is still great. On a 1700 mile trip to the tail of the dragon I got an overall 32 mpg which included quite a bit of "playing" in lower gears. My wife even commented that it was one of the few cars we have had that she could talk or listen to the stereo without the exhaust too loud. With this exhaust it is still noticeably non stock and louder than stock, but is quieter than my '99 FRC that is stock except for a Borla S-type classic axleback.
If you do go with headers, make sure you get a tune too. Without the tune there is still some performance gain, but many people have a slight reduction in economy. After the tune there is more power and better economy.
Good luck.
edit:
I forgot to mention that I have the stainless LG headers with no coating or wrap. I do not notice the extra heat and I have had it for about 7 years with no problems. It is still a very reliable car with these upgrades.
Also the quality headers are a good choice. On these LG headers, I did not even have to retorque the header flange bolts in over 6 years and no leaks.
My current C5 is a '99 6M. I have LG longtube super pro's with a B&B Route 66 axle back. (also a Vara ram and a FAST intake manifold). The combination added power and the economy is still great. On a 1700 mile trip to the tail of the dragon I got an overall 32 mpg which included quite a bit of "playing" in lower gears. My wife even commented that it was one of the few cars we have had that she could talk or listen to the stereo without the exhaust too loud. With this exhaust it is still noticeably non stock and louder than stock, but is quieter than my '99 FRC that is stock except for a Borla S-type classic axleback.
If you do go with headers, make sure you get a tune too. Without the tune there is still some performance gain, but many people have a slight reduction in economy. After the tune there is more power and better economy.
Good luck.
edit:
I forgot to mention that I have the stainless LG headers with no coating or wrap. I do not notice the extra heat and I have had it for about 7 years with no problems. It is still a very reliable car with these upgrades.
Also the quality headers are a good choice. On these LG headers, I did not even have to retorque the header flange bolts in over 6 years and no leaks.
Last edited by QCVette; Jul 5, 2017 at 10:31 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
coating is worth it - IMO
I too have been on the fence about headers for the C5 for quite some time. I am not so sure for most of us headers are worth the cost-hassle & potential reliability issues for 25 hp.
For those who have had their headers for a while, how noticeable is the extra heat due to all the surface area of the headers under the hood vs. the low surface area (much less heat radiation) of the stock manifolds? I am concerned that the extra heat that will likely "heat-soak" the intake track and cost HP... How about the extra heat negatively impacting component life of alternator, AC compressor and possibly battery? Not trying to be a negative nelly, but unless you are more of a hard core owner, I am not sure they are worth it. Keep in mind too, stock manifolds are not nearly as restrictive as they were in the old days (1960-1990).
I think a mild cam might be money much better spent.
Thoughts? - and I do not mind at all if you disagree - just please provide real world observations.
For those who have had their headers for a while, how noticeable is the extra heat due to all the surface area of the headers under the hood vs. the low surface area (much less heat radiation) of the stock manifolds? I am concerned that the extra heat that will likely "heat-soak" the intake track and cost HP... How about the extra heat negatively impacting component life of alternator, AC compressor and possibly battery? Not trying to be a negative nelly, but unless you are more of a hard core owner, I am not sure they are worth it. Keep in mind too, stock manifolds are not nearly as restrictive as they were in the old days (1960-1990).
I think a mild cam might be money much better spent.
Thoughts? - and I do not mind at all if you disagree - just please provide real world observations.
I got my headers coated (inside and out). Not cheap, but why do a half-way job on my "baby".
BTW - if you have doubts about the value of coated headers use the advanced search feature and see what Bill Curlee says about his Stainless Works headers. He removed them and sent them for Jet-Hot Coating and feels it was a very big improvement.
