Ive been browsing long tube headers.
It seems like theres a fairly big range for the C5. and a big range in price too.

Obviously certain brands will be a slightly higher quality, but in terms of performance and fitment, what the difference between say, Kooks, and american racing headers which can run up to $1800, and say TSP or dynatech which are a fraction of the cost?

there must be a few of you who have gone with the less expensive options - what were your findings / thoughts on them?

 

If you pull up a photo of each of the big brand systems, you’ll quickly notice the difference. Each manufacturer has their own spin on primary pipe orientation, runner length, merge collector location, slip vs ball joint connections, etc. At a high level, that’s the biggest difference.

When referencing the cheaper brands, you’ll often notice they're very close designs (almost copies) of the big brand headers so performance will be very similar, if not identical. To get the cost down, they may not do as much R&D, use a cheaper type of stainless steel, and the biggest thing is they’re manufactured overseas. The cheaper systems seem to have less quality control which can be found on threads in the forums. The cheapies are hit or miss with fitment.

Personally, I think spending 3 to 4 times the money on big brand headers is a complete waste. (That statement will make a lot of the big brand header bandwagon folks butt hurt) I currently have a set of 1-7/8” Speed Engineering headers that were $500 and have worked fantastic for me. The cheap systems aren’t for everyone though. I do all of my own work and don’t mind a little tinkering. If you’re paying a shop to do the install, you may spend the money you saved on the system on time for a shop to get everything to fit right.

All in all, it’s a matter of preference. If you want American made, almost guaranteed fitment and the highest quality, big brand is the way to go. If you’re willing to take the risk with fitment and quality to save some coin, go cheap. There are a couple cheap systems that tons of folks on here are pleased with. Texas speed, Speed Engineering, Hinson motor sports to name a few.

Here is a link to a thread I started to review my Speed Engineering header install. Months later and many miles, I’m still very happy:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-review.html

 

I have XS-Power headers I got here on a group buy a while back on my 97, I purchased a set of used ARH headers for the C5Z when I had it, and most recently bought new a set of ARH headers for the C7. I installed the C7 headers myself and it was a breeze, everything fit perfect. RPM did the install on the C5Z and didn't mention any issues with those either. The XS-Power headers had to be hammered a little on one of the primaries to clear the steering shaft, not a major headache but not the fit you'd get from the US brands. Performance wise most are too close to notice. I take pride in driving the iconic American sports car and where the wallet permits I try to carry that over into the parts I use as well, but really that's to each their own. I doubt you'll regret any of them once you hear the difference

 

Hi, I put a pair of JBA long tube headers on my 99 hardtop, part # 6817S. They were a really easy install, compared to other cars and headers I’ve done, as long as you’re willing to only use the instructions as a guide, for instance it wasn’t necessary to disconnect the steering shaft, or to completely remove the driver side motor mount. They are a really nice clean fit. My only issue was I didn’t realize that stainless header that are bare will rust a little, I was in the middle of replacing my clutch so the car sat abit and that’s when I noticed it. I’m told they all do that, SO, I pulled them back out, and sent them to Jet Hot, now they have a seriously nice look to them, it was harder to cut them mid pipe and hook them up then the actual installation was. But I’ve done a lot of headers on a lot of different cars so that’s just me. Bottom line, I paid $614.00 for them, mailed them to JetHot for around $50.00 or so, they coated them for $305.00 basic polished stainless look, and I’m done. As for how they work, my car has stock engine with cold air intake, M SD plug wires and new plugs, and the power band moved up about 500 rpm, so now I only spin the tires in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd,. At 100 mph it’s definitely got more power as it should. I love them!! It’s not always necessary to pay that Corvette Tax. Good luck! Jeff

 

I'm very satisfied with my Texas speed headers and o/r x-pipe. They fit good and I haven't had any leaking, corrosion, or ground clearance issues since install about two years ago. The car felt like it picked up a ton of power over the stock exhaust. '98 6-speed car with tsp headers and x, corsa mufflers, and a blackwing cai made 339whp and ran very hard. sounded great too

 

what I love most about headers is the sound (any brand) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You can get DNA SS headers and x-pipe on flea bay for $370. It’s a good deal. I have their exhaust and like it a lot. I may consider getting this setup to go along with it. There are some figment issues with the Chinese made stuff but for the cost difference I can deal with it.

 

I am thoroughly convinced that it doesn't matter what brand or how much you pay. They all do the same thing. Metal tubing is all the same. Doesn't matter who bends it.

 

I had these custom built for my Datsun with a V8 swap, 4-2-1 + full exhaust with 3 resonators and a short muffler with pie cut tip... Paid around $2500 fab'd and installed.

$1500 for some mass manufactured headers? Thats nutty. They better friggin look as good or better than this!

 

Check out TPS....not TSP...

1 7/8" 409 stainless 3" collectors USA made
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/corvet...-w-x-pipe.html

Or Hinson also 1 7/8" and USA made..both companies sell for almost half the big names.

KOOKS/SW/ARH you pay for higher quality stainless and quality control when it comes to fitment. I doubt there is A LOT to be gained performance wise between any decent made "cheaper" header compared to the big names (and I'm not talking about the off-the-boat chinese headers from EBAY...I wouldn't touch those with a 10ft pole). At the end of the day, they are all mass produced headers for a specific application. So the performance gains **of the same size primary** will be +-10 to 15 hp assuming the same dyno and test conditions.

That said I'd love some SW pipes, but can't justify the cost when I picked up a set of 1 7/8" TPS headers (linked above) for nearly HALF the cost that allowed headers to simply slide in from the bottom. No monkeying with starter/motor mounts etc.

 

[QUOTE][I had these custom built for my Datsun with a V8 swap, 4-2-1 + full exhaust with 3 resonators and a short muffler with pie cut tip... Paid around $2500 fab'd and installed.
/QUOTE]

Those are a work of art. Very impressive.

That said I Love my LG long tubes.

 

I just had the Speed Engineering set installed. The the only thing I did was purchased better 3" clamps because the ones that it comes with suck. I also purchased steel gaskets instead of using the supplied set. I paid $475 for everything. The fitment is great and no issues with install.

 

Ok,
Ive already ordered Borla atak axle back. To complete the system, with headers, Ill need an X pipe, is that right?

Ive read some stuff about sensors being deleted etc, what do I need to do there exactly?

and thanks for the replies so far everyone, very helpful!!

 

I run speed engineering, clearance and fitment was perfect.

Best $400 I spent on my car. People rag on speed engineering but I cant justify 2k for headers, both will probably last longer than I own the car.

Spend a few extra dollars on some better clamps, otherwise it was a few hour install on the ground and everything slid right in from the bottom.

 

When you're paying for ARH, Kooks, etc you're not so much just paying for some pipe bending as you are the R&D involved. Most of these companies are the first to market with these systems, a few months later your chinese knockoffs at half price will come in with their copied design. There is a ton of work to be done snaking these systems around components while maintaining the proper lengths - lots of torque on the table when it comes to managing the exhaust pulses and keeping backpressure and scavenging where it needs to be. Kind of like the old $150 special hedmans versus a proper tuned set at 2-3 times the price. Which one to pick really just comes down to what your priorities are.


Yes, the Borla will bolt up to the stock pipes, when you get the longtubes you'll need the matching x-pipe (either catted or off-road) to attach them to the axle back.

The long tubes move the cats downstream of the engine (or remove them altogether with an ORX), so you will need to get a tune for them to read correctly and not throw the CEL.

 

By ORX do you just mean the off road X pipe with no cat?

 

I did the Borla XR-1 headers and they have been fantastic in sound and seat of the pants power mated to the Corsa Extreme exhaust.

 

Yea, the off-road x-pipe.