Which headers should i get
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 944
Likes: 11
From: Davie Florida
Which headers should i get
Hello All,
I am interested in getting a set of headers for my 98 vette.. Don't
want to spend a fortune, any ideas on an affordable set of headers I should go with?
Thanks,
Ant..
I am interested in getting a set of headers for my 98 vette.. Don't
want to spend a fortune, any ideas on an affordable set of headers I should go with?
Thanks,
Ant..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I bought Texas Speed and had/have some issues (warped flanges which I had milled, collector one side hanging low but pointing up). Heard plenty of bad stories about them and XS Power, the 2 main budget brands.
If I did it again, and had the time to wait, I'd go psycho on the FS section waiting for a better brand used.
If I did it again, and had the time to wait, I'd go psycho on the FS section waiting for a better brand used.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Not having fitment issues is worth the extra money. Some people have good luck with the cheaper alternatives but you are assured to have no issues with the more expensive brands.
Miles of Smiles
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 559
From: Omaha Nebraska
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
It is worth it to spend the extra money on a set of American Racing, Kooks, Stainless Works, etc.
Not having fitment issues is worth the extra money. Some people have good luck with the cheaper alternatives but you are assured to have no issues with the more expensive brands.
Not having fitment issues is worth the extra money. Some people have good luck with the cheaper alternatives but you are assured to have no issues with the more expensive brands.
... especially if you're doing the install yourself. If you've read the various install threads, it's a fairly involved job even with the "premium" brands.
Last edited by FrankLP; Feb 3, 2018 at 09:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,586
Likes: 4,613
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
It is worth it to spend the extra money on a set of American Racing, Kooks, Stainless Works, etc.
Not having fitment issues is worth the extra money. Some people have good luck with the cheaper alternatives but you are assured to have no issues with the more expensive brands.
Not having fitment issues is worth the extra money. Some people have good luck with the cheaper alternatives but you are assured to have no issues with the more expensive brands.
I chose Kooks for fit and ease of installation. I have absolutely no clearance issues with Kooks and the installation was relatively easy, using a lift and having the proper tools. The Kooks headers slipped right into place from underneath without having to remove the starter or lift the engine or undo the steering shaft. Mine are ceramic coated shiny silver. Ceramic coating is essential for keeping the under hood temperature cooler and for a nicer appearance.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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Nice looking headers there, Mike.
Other choices to consider are LG and Dynatech.
Other choices to consider are LG and Dynatech.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 219
From: Los Angeles CA
Don't buy the hype, steel tube is steel tube. Plenty of threads showing how great the eBay headers fit.
Plenty of reported fitment issues with big brands too, I'm willing to bet that most fitment issues comes from installer inexperience. Regardless of the brand.
Plenty of reported fitment issues with big brands too, I'm willing to bet that most fitment issues comes from installer inexperience. Regardless of the brand.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 79
From: pueblo co
i would avoid LG ..i have the lg headers on my c5 and while the product was good the customer service is pretty poor...low quality clamps..cost 150 bucks more for better clamp's.if i had to do it over again texas speed or kooks headers would be my choice
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 1,215
From: Wisconsin
poll not really needed, there's been dozens of posts on this subject for years, I disagree with the poster that said steel is steel, if seen installs with the ebay headers where they had to beat a dent into the tunnel it get the O2 sensors to fit. ARH, LGs, Texas Speed, Kooks all good brands. Ask a busy Corvette shop what brand they would rather install. 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 343
From: Long Island New York
I have been debating putting headers on, I want them but I dont want these interfering with AC lines or steering shafts or anything, it would have to be perfect on my car.
Looks like ARH or Kooks are what I need from header to axle, will be looking for a good deal on a clean set.
Mikes setup is pretty awesome in that post
Looks like ARH or Kooks are what I need from header to axle, will be looking for a good deal on a clean set.
Mikes setup is pretty awesome in that post
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 219
From: Los Angeles CA
poll not really needed, there's been dozens of posts on this subject for years, I disagree with the poster that said steel is steel, if seen installs with the ebay headers where they had to beat a dent into the tunnel it get the O2 sensors to fit. ARH, LGs, Texas Speed, Kooks all good brands. Ask a busy Corvette shop what brand they would rather install.
$1400 headers don't need a dent
$200 headers might, for $1200 I'll put a dent in a tube every day of the week. It will not affect flow or power in any way.
Steel is steel.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 17,754
Likes: 1,210
From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
I did ask my buddy at a busy corvette shop, said the OBX headers install just fine and they do dozens a month, not one "dent" needed. I have also installed a bunch. But let me get this straight...
$1400 headers don't need a dent
$200 headers might, for $1200 I'll put a dent in a tube every day of the week. It will not affect flow or power in any way.
Steel is steel.
$1400 headers don't need a dent
$200 headers might, for $1200 I'll put a dent in a tube every day of the week. It will not affect flow or power in any way.
Steel is steel.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 944
Likes: 11
From: Davie Florida
Well thanks for all the replies...
The headers will have to wait for a bit... I do not really want to spend $1500.00 - 2K on headers right now.. I have some other issues I need to get fixed first... One thing at a time I guess...
Thanks,
Ant...
The headers will have to wait for a bit... I do not really want to spend $1500.00 - 2K on headers right now.. I have some other issues I need to get fixed first... One thing at a time I guess...
Thanks,
Ant...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Same. I just had to dent the primary on the steering shaft side, but only because I wanted more clearance. Some people wouldn't care...they fit fine.
As others have mentioned, what you pay for in more expensive headers is consistency. Cheaper headers seem to be all over the map when it comes to fitment. Mine were fine, others, not so much. It takes time (and oversight) to make sure tight tolerances are maintained in production, and the cheaper sets just don't have that. Other than that, they really are just a bundle of tubes.
That said, I'd buy my XS Power headers again and risk it. They're overall very nice headers. I've had them on and off the car a few times now, and they always go back together well and still look nice after a few years in service. They helped my car make 443 WHP with heads and cam, so I can't complain about the performance either.
As others have mentioned, what you pay for in more expensive headers is consistency. Cheaper headers seem to be all over the map when it comes to fitment. Mine were fine, others, not so much. It takes time (and oversight) to make sure tight tolerances are maintained in production, and the cheaper sets just don't have that. Other than that, they really are just a bundle of tubes.
That said, I'd buy my XS Power headers again and risk it. They're overall very nice headers. I've had them on and off the car a few times now, and they always go back together well and still look nice after a few years in service. They helped my car make 443 WHP with heads and cam, so I can't complain about the performance either.
