Should I get new Headers?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Should I get new Headers?
Should I get Headers?
I need your input. My go-to-Vette mechanic suggested I could obtain an increase of 40HP if I replaced my headers on my base Vert Corvette (39K) with aftermarket along with an upgrade to my air flow plus new plugs/wires and a retune. I bought the car 3 years ago with MagnaFlow Street Series Performance Exhaust having a 2.5 “piping. Not loud at all.
Questions:
1. Are 40 hp gains realistic?
2. Will headers and cat back piping (if needed) substantially increase the noise (drone) of the car?
3. If 1 is yes, what size headers and best make for just street use?
4. Will the upgrades adversely affect the clutch life and rear end (3.42 axel) in normal driving?
I am a cruiser not a track player except for those early morning ‘runs’ to clean the pipes.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Happy 4th everyone.
I need your input. My go-to-Vette mechanic suggested I could obtain an increase of 40HP if I replaced my headers on my base Vert Corvette (39K) with aftermarket along with an upgrade to my air flow plus new plugs/wires and a retune. I bought the car 3 years ago with MagnaFlow Street Series Performance Exhaust having a 2.5 “piping. Not loud at all.
Questions:
1. Are 40 hp gains realistic?
2. Will headers and cat back piping (if needed) substantially increase the noise (drone) of the car?
3. If 1 is yes, what size headers and best make for just street use?
4. Will the upgrades adversely affect the clutch life and rear end (3.42 axel) in normal driving?
I am a cruiser not a track player except for those early morning ‘runs’ to clean the pipes.
Your thoughts are appreciated.Happy 4th everyone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 142
From: Lynn MA
Should I get Headers?
I need your input. My go-to-Vette mechanic suggested I could obtain an increase of 40HP if I replaced my headers on my base Vert Corvette (39K) with aftermarket along with an upgrade to my air flow plus new plugs/wires and a retune. I bought the car 3 years ago with MagnaFlow Street Series Performance Exhaust having a 2.5 “piping. Not loud at all.
Questions:
1. Are 40 hp gains realistic?
2. Will headers and cat back piping (if needed) substantially increase the noise (drone) of the car?
3. If 1 is yes, what size headers and best make for just street use?
4. Will the upgrades adversely affect the clutch life and rear end (3.42 axel) in normal driving?
I am a cruiser not a track player except for those early morning ‘runs’ to clean the pipes. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Happy 4th everyone.
I need your input. My go-to-Vette mechanic suggested I could obtain an increase of 40HP if I replaced my headers on my base Vert Corvette (39K) with aftermarket along with an upgrade to my air flow plus new plugs/wires and a retune. I bought the car 3 years ago with MagnaFlow Street Series Performance Exhaust having a 2.5 “piping. Not loud at all.
Questions:
1. Are 40 hp gains realistic?
2. Will headers and cat back piping (if needed) substantially increase the noise (drone) of the car?
3. If 1 is yes, what size headers and best make for just street use?
4. Will the upgrades adversely affect the clutch life and rear end (3.42 axel) in normal driving?
I am a cruiser not a track player except for those early morning ‘runs’ to clean the pipes.
Your thoughts are appreciated.Happy 4th everyone.
2) It will get louder, magnaflow is a quiet system in my opinion.
3) 1 3/4" headers would be proper.
4) No not with regular driving.
These are JMHO
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
My overall noise volume under cruise and light acceleration actually decreased with my headers. Full throttle in my car is loud though.
Youll be be lucky to see 30rwhp, definitely not 40+
there should be no adverse impacts on the reliability
Youll be be lucky to see 30rwhp, definitely not 40+
there should be no adverse impacts on the reliability
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
A more realistic number is 25-30 rwhp gain -- that's what I saw with headers and a dyno tune. You'd probably see a 10 rwhp gain with a dyno or mail order tune alone, so adding headers may not be worth the expense. I'm not sure I'd do it again. When I first had the headers installed, I had Borla Quad Tip Stingers. The drone they produced annoyed me so I went with Z06 Titanium exhaust which produced the exhaust note I liked with no drone.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 76
From: Atlantic Pa
You could get 40 hp but alot has to do with the tune afterwards . Around 30 is probably more likely . I'd get the lg street series 1 3/4" in your case ..Either way it will sound better run better and you'll feel the extra power . 10-15% more overall power is worth the time and expense imho
Last edited by Lexybird; Jul 2, 2017 at 04:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Definitely worth it, particularly if you do the install. Noticeably more pull and drivability pretty much across the RPM range.
It won't be much louder, no drivetrain issues, no drone, 1 3/4" for sure on an LS1. I'd also opt for an X pipe mostly for sound reasons.
It won't be much louder, no drivetrain issues, no drone, 1 3/4" for sure on an LS1. I'd also opt for an X pipe mostly for sound reasons.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
If your mechanic meant 40 at the crank with long tube headers, yeah that is reasonable. Most see 20-25 rwhp, coupled with a CAI, and a tune.
If he meant 40 more HP to the rear wheels, not likely without a cam or at least headers, under drive pulley, and ported throttle body. Even then, you may be more in the 30-35 range.
Of course with headers cam, and a good tune, you should see 40-60 more RWHP.
As others have said, headers are where you need to start for performance mods. They are the foundation for any other engine performance mods (cams, heads, intake, etc).
Long tube headers let the entire engine breathe better across the entire RPM band. Unless you are doing radical mods, 1 3/4 headers offer the best overall boost across the entire RPM band. If you plan on heads, cam, intake in the future, you might consider 1 7/8 headers. You will lose some mid range in the short term, but with the HCI, you will easily gain it back, plus do better with the larger tubes on good head and cam combo. Same is true with forced induction.
If he meant 40 more HP to the rear wheels, not likely without a cam or at least headers, under drive pulley, and ported throttle body. Even then, you may be more in the 30-35 range.
Of course with headers cam, and a good tune, you should see 40-60 more RWHP.
As others have said, headers are where you need to start for performance mods. They are the foundation for any other engine performance mods (cams, heads, intake, etc).
Long tube headers let the entire engine breathe better across the entire RPM band. Unless you are doing radical mods, 1 3/4 headers offer the best overall boost across the entire RPM band. If you plan on heads, cam, intake in the future, you might consider 1 7/8 headers. You will lose some mid range in the short term, but with the HCI, you will easily gain it back, plus do better with the larger tubes on good head and cam combo. Same is true with forced induction.
Last edited by bikeriderga; Jul 3, 2017 at 01:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I've got the Magnaflow exhaust with LG street header system complete. The LG's will make a definite improvement in the sound without making it louder except upon full throttle acceleration. I also added a Callaway Honker intake, one of the best true cold air intakes. All the other incidentals plus switching to 160 thermostat will make a quite noticeable increase in hp. You will need to have a real good tune done after everything is installed. Contact Doug at East Coast Supergharging in Cream Ridge, NJ about the tune, he's worth the trip for you. You will be glad you did. I've got the similar setup on my car with very happy results. My car has over 150,000 miles on it and still is a reliable daily driver and is still getting 30 mpg on the highway, and sits in traffic with no negative consequences. If you do all that you will surely be happy with the results.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
You install them yourself? Have a set on order and got kinda worried about the install complaints. Of course some of those threads are ancient and I have heard they were redesigned at some point for easier installation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
What do you have on order? Assuming TSP or XS Power?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Hickory NC
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Welcome, Ron!
I'm more in line with many of the others - maybe 20rwhp with just good headers and 25-30rwhp with good headers and a good tune.
I thought the Kooks were a relatively easy C5 install and would recommend using their x-pipe, too. I've also had good luck installing BBKs.
Perhaps I'm just lucky, but I have not experienced drone in my A4 using a NXT STEP exhaust, but it will be louder than your MagnaFlow.
Wishing you many smiles in many miles!
I'm more in line with many of the others - maybe 20rwhp with just good headers and 25-30rwhp with good headers and a good tune.
I thought the Kooks were a relatively easy C5 install and would recommend using their x-pipe, too. I've also had good luck installing BBKs.
Perhaps I'm just lucky, but I have not experienced drone in my A4 using a NXT STEP exhaust, but it will be louder than your MagnaFlow.
Wishing you many smiles in many miles!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,594
Likes: 4,619
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have Kooks long tubes with hi flow green cats, no leaks no clearance or fitment issues. Kooks are easiest to install and they install from underneath. No jacking up the motor or removing the starter or steering shaft. Just move the ground wire out of the way and they slide right up.
I also have the Magnaflow Performance Series exhaust which sounds just right with the headers. They got noticeably louder and even deeper but not too loud.
I also have the Magnaflow Performance Series exhaust which sounds just right with the headers. They got noticeably louder and even deeper but not too loud.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,111
Likes: 304
Shakey
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 1,582
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
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.
Last edited by Toys4Life C5; Jul 4, 2017 at 08:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
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.
Thanks to all for your thoughts.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
Personally, there is no way I'd spend 4000 give or take for 30 even 40hp. I'm sure I would feel 40 more hp, but it wouldn't be a night and day difference. I think you can get an AA supercharger installed for about 7000. And I've read even with a stock exhaust, it will gain like 150hp. Seems like much better bang per buck. But of course 7000 is a big jump in price from "only" 4000.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 39
From: SC
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...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ger-twice.html
I'm happy as a camper and the thrill is back BIG TIME!!! My link to the mod I had done...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ger-twice.html
Last edited by mikeam; Jul 4, 2017 at 07:42 PM. Reason: rules