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I don't have these, but some forum members like them a lot. They are cheaper, and will certainly work well. The fit is good enough, but not as good as Kooks. You might want to get them ceramic coated.
They are IMO the best off shore header available for the C5. There is really nothing wrong at all with the physical fitment. The O2 sensors are a bit of a pain in the ***. The mid pipe sucks to work with as it comes in 27 pieces for packaging. I strongly encourage you to weld up what you can. I made my mid pipe one piece and put in Vbands at the collectors. It's not necessary by any means but it makes the installation equally as good as the Boutique header brands out there.
I've owned several sets of "expensive" headers over the years to include Warlords favorite above and I just don't see the need for them anymore.
Here is a somewhat crappy boring video I made putting these things in the car and how easy they are to work with.
They are IMO the best off shore header available for the C5. There is really nothing wrong at all with the physical fitment. The O2 sensors are a bit of a pain in the ***. The mid pipe sucks to work with as it comes in 27 pieces for packaging. I strongly encourage you to weld up what you can. I made my mid pipe one piece and put in Vbands at the collectors. It's not necessary by any means but it makes the installation equally as good as the Boutique header brands out there.
I've owned several sets of "expensive" headers over the years to include Warlords favorite above and I just don't see the need for them anymore.
Here is a somewhat crappy boring video I made putting these things in the car and how easy they are to
Good video, and thanks for the info…
Using the existing x pipe seems like it might be a good idea. Did you see an advantage to building the kit x pipe instead?
Last edited by vette4fl; Sep 13, 2021 at 01:55 PM.
The car comes with an H-pipe. The stock H-pipe only has a very small passage that actually connects the two sides. Unless you already have an aftermarket x-pipe, you'll probably want to either buy one, or use the one in the kit.
Good video, and thanks for the info…
Using the existing x pipe seems like it might be a good idea. Did you see an advantage to building the kit x pipe instead?
Thank you.
I reused my Bassani X only because its seem the easiest to get the thing back together quickest if that makes sense. If I didn't already have 3/4s of a custom mid pipe to start with I would have definitely enjoyed the challenge of using the Speed Engineering mid pipe. I still would have put cats in it and I still would have welded it up fully to get rid of all the clamps.
I've heard nothing but good things about their headers (aside from the clamps). More specifically, I've heard nothing but people experiencing an easier installation and seeing better fitment (clearance in all the typical tight areas PLUS them not becoming the new lowest part of the car) than some of the headers that are 2-3x the price. I picked up a BNIB set locally about a year ago, don't know when I'll get around to installing them, but they look and feel nice FWIW.
TONS of positive feedback from the big facebook groups on the Speed Engineering headers.
I say if it fits well, there's not much reason to spend the money on high dollar headers. They aren't going to make any more power because you spend 3-4x the price.
I think the Speed Engineering headers are coated, too.
I reused my Bassani X only because its seem the easiest to get the thing back together quickest if that makes sense. If I didn't already have 3/4s of a custom mid pipe to start with I would have definitely enjoyed the challenge of using the Speed Engineering mid pipe. I still would have put cats in it and I still would have welded it up fully to get rid of all the clamps.
Did you use the stock cats or high flow cats? I was googling “high flow cats” and just like everything else, there is a plethora of choices from cheap to ridiculous . I’m not by any means on your level (saw your blower video), I’m just looking shooting for headers and a better than stock cam. Still, I try to do things right where it makes a difference.
Last edited by vette4fl; Sep 13, 2021 at 02:49 PM.
I've heard nothing but good things about their headers (aside from the clamps). More specifically, I've heard nothing but people experiencing an easier installation and seeing better fitment (clearance in all the typical tight areas PLUS them not becoming the new lowest part of the car) than some of the headers that are 2-3x the price. I picked up a BNIB set locally about a year ago, don't know when I'll get around to installing them, but they look and feel nice FWIW.
Thanks for the insight! I’ll check out the BNIB’s as well.
Did you use the stock cats or high flow cats? I was googling “high flow cats” and just like everything else, there is a plethora of choices from cheap to ridiculous . I’m not by any means on your level (saw your blower video), I’m just looking shooting for headers and a better than stock cam. Still, I try to do things right where it makes a difference.
I'm running some inexpensive 3 inch in and out Flowmaster cats. I don't know how long they'll live at the current power level. For most N/A guys they have proven to work great and last a long time.
I'm running some inexpensive 3 inch in and out Flowmaster cats. I don't know how long they'll live at the current power level. For most N/A guys they have proven to work great and last a long time.
Any chance you can share some pics of that setup/placement please? Completely eliminating cats is the only thing that I'm not 100% sold on with these headers. I'd love to add some high flow cats to mine to help eliminate any undesirable smells and stay somewhat environmentally conscious.
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
So will any universal cats of the right diameter work with these Speed Engineering headers? I assume that's why the mid-pipe comes in multiple pieces, so that you can remove one of the sections to replace with cats of your choosing?
I think being able to put cats in the mid pipe was of zero concern from Speed Engineering. I would say it was 100% packaging. You would be blown away at how small the box is that both headers and the mid pipe all come in. 1 box.
Any 3 inch cat will work especially the round versions. Look for horsepower ratings when you can. You can 50 a bucks a cat or 300 bucks a cat. A lot of the cheap cats have surprising results.
Also the cats should IMO be as close to the collectors as possible. Mine are back about 4 inches because my mid pipe used to be mated to Texas Speed long tubes which are really really long.
Don't mind my booger welding. I'm a pretty decent welder but me and exhaust tubing don't get along lol.
Last edited by Mr. Black; Sep 15, 2021 at 06:40 PM.
I would actually consider speed engineering headers, if they came with a catted midpipe. I feel like it would take a lot of fab work to add cats to this system. Mr. Black, your midpipe is a Bassani, is it not?
I would actually consider speed engineering headers, if they came with a catted midpipe. I feel like it would take a lot of fab work to add cats to this system. Mr. Black, your midpipe is a Bassani, is it not?
It really would not be hard at all to add cats to the Speed Engineering setup using their kit alone. They could even be clamped in place although I just hate clamped together exhaust systems.
Yes I am running a Bassani X that I got for free from my well known tuner that I use because he hated the sound so much with the H pipe lol. I like the sound of the H pipe on a stock cam but once I changed cams it really did sound terrible. Like a farm truck mixed with a motor boat that had bad wet farts.
I've had them on my car for over a year. After swapping out the cheap clamps provided with a better set I have zero complaints. I usually don't like buying chinese knock offs but the car has been out for 24 years, the R&D has long been recouped. There's not reason headers should cost $800-1000.
I've had them on my car for over a year. After swapping out the cheap clamps provided with a better set I have zero complaints. I usually don't like buying chinese knock offs but the car has been out for 24 years, the R&D has long been recouped. There's not reason headers should cost $800-1000.
I am concidering the Speed Engineering setup as well. What kind and size clamps did you get to replace the ones that come with them?
Speed Engineering Headers
