[Z06] Borla XR-1 headers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 18
From: Marion, Texas
Borla XR-1 headers
Found a used set of Borla XR-1 headers for sale locally. From what I can find about them, I think they’re 1 3/4” primaries to 2 3/4” collectors and looks like they’re not made anymore. Just bought my first Corvette about 8 months ago- 2003 ZO6, black with 15,800 miles. Most likely I’ll be doing full exhaust, CAI, heads and cam, just getting parts together for now.
Anyhow, what are your opinions on these headers and x-pipe for $650 OBO?
The x pipe has no cats so there’s the issue of buying high flow cats and fitting them. What’s this gonna cost?
Are these designed short where I will need to install cats?
What’s the downside to no cats? I’m in Texas and can get an annual inspection without them.
Do the Borla headers only fit the Borla x pipe?
I’m having trouble spending $2200 or so on kooks headers and x pipe although that’s what I want.
Likely end up with Borla atak or billy boat bullets later.
Anyhow, what are your opinions on these headers and x-pipe for $650 OBO?
The x pipe has no cats so there’s the issue of buying high flow cats and fitting them. What’s this gonna cost?
Are these designed short where I will need to install cats?
What’s the downside to no cats? I’m in Texas and can get an annual inspection without them.
Do the Borla headers only fit the Borla x pipe?
I’m having trouble spending $2200 or so on kooks headers and x pipe although that’s what I want.
Likely end up with Borla atak or billy boat bullets later.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 763
Likes: 215
From: Detroit
I have the Borla headers and had Magnaflow cats welded in to the x-pipe. I had a shop install mine, and they said the headers went in no problem, fitment was good, and I haven't had any trouble with them. The x-pipe is not designed with cats in mind, so you'll need to shorten it once the cats are added.
The downsides to catless are inspection issues in some states and possibly a smelly exhaust. A quality high flow cat won't cost you any significant horsepower, for what it's worth.
The downsides to catless are inspection issues in some states and possibly a smelly exhaust. A quality high flow cat won't cost you any significant horsepower, for what it's worth.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 398
From: Raleigh Suburbs
My answers in Blue:
[QUOTE=Swarty;1601865608]
Anyhow, what are your opinions on these headers and x-pipe for $650 OBO?
- Could be a very Decent Deal, factoring in Scavenging ability of them
The x pipe has no cats so there’s the issue of buying high flow cats and fitting them. What’s this gonna cost?
- Check Magnaflow High-Flow Convertors from eBay, good deal, worth the minimal cost
Are these designed short where I will need to install cats?
- I have no idea; however, your local Good Muffler shop can install/weld/clamp them all together
What’s the downside to no cats? I’m in Texas and can get an annual inspection without them.
- Smelly, won't pass sniffer Emissions, louder
Do the Borla headers only fit the Borla x pipe?
- Don't know, however any Xpipe can be implemented to join any Header, with a good muffler shop
I’m having trouble spending $2200 or so on kooks headers and x pipe although that’s what I want.
- I say, do not skimp; also check out Super Pro's from LG - one of the best
Likely end up with Borla atak or billy boat bullets later.
- Cool
[QUOTE=Swarty;1601865608]
Anyhow, what are your opinions on these headers and x-pipe for $650 OBO?
- Could be a very Decent Deal, factoring in Scavenging ability of them
The x pipe has no cats so there’s the issue of buying high flow cats and fitting them. What’s this gonna cost?
- Check Magnaflow High-Flow Convertors from eBay, good deal, worth the minimal cost
Are these designed short where I will need to install cats?
- I have no idea; however, your local Good Muffler shop can install/weld/clamp them all together
What’s the downside to no cats? I’m in Texas and can get an annual inspection without them.
- Smelly, won't pass sniffer Emissions, louder
Do the Borla headers only fit the Borla x pipe?
- Don't know, however any Xpipe can be implemented to join any Header, with a good muffler shop
I’m having trouble spending $2200 or so on kooks headers and x pipe although that’s what I want.
- I say, do not skimp; also check out Super Pro's from LG - one of the best
Likely end up with Borla atak or billy boat bullets later.
- Cool
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Found a used set of Borla XR-1 headers for sale locally. From what I can find about them, I think they’re 1 3/4” primaries to 2 3/4” collectors and looks like they’re not made anymore. Just bought my first Corvette about 8 months ago- 2003 ZO6, black with 15,800 miles. Most likely I’ll be doing full exhaust, CAI, heads and cam, just getting parts together for now.
FYI the part number is 17259 and you are correct the primaries are 1 3/4" and the collectors are 2.75"
Anyhow, what are your opinions on these headers and x-pipe for $650 OBO?
$650 is a pretty decent deal IMO, new they were around $1,200-$1,300 which is what attracted me to them.
The x pipe has no cats so there’s the issue of buying high flow cats and fitting them. What’s this gonna cost?
There is no reason to run them unless you just absolutely want to. If you leave them off you will get a slight smell at stoplights, but it's really not that bad and is not all the time. The X-pipe for this system is designed at the front of the car so an exhaust shop may have to do some tweaking to figure out how to weld in the cats since that is the factory location.
Are these designed short where I will need to install cats?
No these are full length headers and will completely bolt to the axleback of choice.
What’s the downside to no cats? I’m in Texas and can get an annual inspection without them.
As I mentioned earlier there sometimes can be a slight smell when you are stopped. Other than that an amazing exhaust note will now be heard. You will need to have the car tuned so the computer doesn't know the cats are missing. Not to mention a tune will maximize the horsepower you will gain from them. Unless of course your Z06 is registered in a non-emissions county then it becomes a moot point.
Do the Borla headers only fit the Borla x pipe?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier this system has the x-pipe at the front of the car as opposed to others like LG at the rear of the car.
FYI the part number is 17259 and you are correct the primaries are 1 3/4" and the collectors are 2.75"
Anyhow, what are your opinions on these headers and x-pipe for $650 OBO?
$650 is a pretty decent deal IMO, new they were around $1,200-$1,300 which is what attracted me to them.
The x pipe has no cats so there’s the issue of buying high flow cats and fitting them. What’s this gonna cost?
There is no reason to run them unless you just absolutely want to. If you leave them off you will get a slight smell at stoplights, but it's really not that bad and is not all the time. The X-pipe for this system is designed at the front of the car so an exhaust shop may have to do some tweaking to figure out how to weld in the cats since that is the factory location.
Are these designed short where I will need to install cats?
No these are full length headers and will completely bolt to the axleback of choice.
What’s the downside to no cats? I’m in Texas and can get an annual inspection without them.
As I mentioned earlier there sometimes can be a slight smell when you are stopped. Other than that an amazing exhaust note will now be heard. You will need to have the car tuned so the computer doesn't know the cats are missing. Not to mention a tune will maximize the horsepower you will gain from them. Unless of course your Z06 is registered in a non-emissions county then it becomes a moot point.
Do the Borla headers only fit the Borla x pipe?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier this system has the x-pipe at the front of the car as opposed to others like LG at the rear of the car.
Some videos for ya:
XR1 headers with Corsa Extremes
XR1 headers with Corsa Extremes and BTR stage 2 cam
Last edited by Not4spd; Jul 21, 2020 at 12:54 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 387
From: Port Charlotte Florida
I didn't want to spend $2200 for headers and X-pipe, so I paid about half of that for Flowtech 1 7/8 " headers and Flowtech X-pipe. I recommend Borla ATAK, because the sound is great and there is no drone. In my experience, Billy Boat exhaust tends to be prone to drone.
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