Ok-If I end up rambling, I apologize. Here is the thing...

My steering rack was replaced this summer and is now leaking. The company the shop bought it from wants it back before they replace it. No charge. I understand why-they have probably been ripped off before. So my vette will have to sit with no rack while things are shipped back and forth...

Soooooo, that got me thinking. Should I do something fun while my car is sitting there? This shop is a dynatech dealer, so I thought maybe dynatech headers and a tune.

Convince me yes or no. Do you have headers? Do you regret it? Am I an idiot for not doing it sooner? Feel free to post your thoughts.

My car is a semi daily driver. It's my only car, but I'm an onsite property manager so I don't need to drive every day.

Also, in the back of my mind I think-will I want a newer car in the next few years? I know-there are people that mod a car, and get rid of it 2-3 years later. I've had my vette since 2007.

So the question is....Headers or no Headers?

(And I may wake up tomorrow and think-WTF was I thinking?)

 

 

Depending on just how far you want to mod your car performance wise, I would do the headers. I believe Dynatech sells a complete system from the heads back to the catback with high flow catalytic converters if you want to keep the cats. To get the most from the mod, a tune would be a good idea. You'll get a bit of a performance bump from the headers and a bit from a good tune. But you have to decide whether the expense of the headers/install/tune is worth it if you plan to get a newer car in the next few years.

 

The way I understand it, headers and a tune net you about 25-40HP to the wheels.

Yes, Dynatech sells hi-flow cats too-I would use them.

I should have mentioned-the 1st C5 I drove was back when my dad had a 98....with headers hi-flow cats and a tune.

 

In your situation I would enjoy the car and save the header money for whatever your next ride will be!

 

But I don't know that I will want a newer car.

The C8 excites me. But I'd wait for a used one. So probably 2021-22 at the earliest.

I'm torn-I love my car but sometimes would like some new tech.

 

I say go for it. One of the first things I installed on mine, about 4 years ago. But unsure I would if I had to pay someone to. That's a load of money if you need to include labor.
Just about every V8 car I've installed headers... never a regret.

 

I bought my 99' FRC a few months ago. Kooks Long Tubes was the first MOD I did. Coupled it with a CAI and X-Pipe. BORLA Stingers were on the car when I bought it. I bought my parts used except for the Vararam. Between parts, labor and tune I had $2500 in it and I DO NOT regret it one bit. Woke the car up a bit and it sounds awesome. Love it. Look for used parts and save some money. If I would have bought new, the headers and X-Pipe alone, shipped to me, would have been $2k.

Good luck!

YetMan

 

 

Unless you plan to create a money pit forget the headers. It will likely lead to other mods you can live without. Too many folks have $30k invested in their $12,000 car.

 

[QUOTEUnless you plan to create a money pit forget the headers. It will likely lead to other mods you can live without. Too many folks have $30k invested in their $12,000 car. ][/QUOTE]

I kinda agree with Ddaaryl. I install LG long tubes on my car when I was doing the clutch. It is an expensive mod especially if your paying a shop to do it. It wasn't one of my favorite mods.

Pro's are:
Sounds awesome
looks cool when you open the hood
Need them if you plan on doing any other motor work
Cons: Expensive
exhaust leaks
Could lead to loud exhaust

 

Headers are a must on my Vettes. The added power is neat, but I find the sound most intoxicating. I make so many more excuses just to fire the car up and drive it. One man's opinion. Oh, and no effect on drivability.

 

I say go for it. You need to start somewhere, so why not there? It's easy for me to say that because I'm about to add headers to mine (headers, mid pipes and x pipe with high flow cats). I already have a CAI (Vararam) and an axle back exhaust (Corsa Extreme) and the car has already been tuned. That's where I started, and still going. Similar to a previous post, all but the Vararam was used, and all the labor was done by me, so the cost was justified. Oh, I actually paid for the tune too, and was told (and confirmed already) that a retune/adjustment would be included if I added headers down the road.

I'll also agree with others that it can get expensive. Buying new is pricey, Buying a less expensive setup could result in needed custom fab work (welding seams, custom pipe work to get from the headers to the x pipe, fitment, etc). Then there's a tune, and retune if you add more down the road. I don't plan on keeping this car forever, but I do plan on enjoying now while I have it. I can either sell later, with or without the mods (again, labor involved to de-mod). You can't mod any car as an investment. Do what YOU want to do, for the moment, the near future or the distant future. Either way, enjoy it how YOU want to enjoy it.

 

Appreciate all the opinions....now this morning I'm thinking--that much money for 30HP? The shop is closed between Christmas and New Years so I'll keep "sleeping on it."

 

 

I'm in the "go for it" group. But I would also recommend a Cold Air Intake (CAI) along with the tune and cat-back.

This is probably the "basic" engine bolt-ons that most us did (and/or started with).

While it may seem a bit pricey, if you plan on keeping your car for a while you'll really enjoy the difference in sound and performance.

I know I did... and continue to do!

 

I have a callaway honker CAI. I installed 10 years ago and never had a problem driving in the rain. Then again I wouldn't suggest driving it through and standing water or anything.

 

Back and Forth....Back and Forth. LOL

My car already has a blackwing air intake.

 

Hell, if I had the rack out, I'd put a nice little cam in there along with headers. Might want a better than stock pulley and oil pump, too. Make sure and get stainless steel if you're keeping. Had my LG Pros for 13 years, and no problems at all. Not too expensive for all those things, and you will enjoy your car and it's crappy tech for years to come. And to top it off, it's a fun DIY project.

 

If you plan on future mods, then headers are a must.

By themselves, you will not notice a big seat of the pants difference, but could help pick up a 10th or 2 in the quarter mile.