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I've had their 1-7/8" headers on my 04 for getting close to 4 years now and I can't complain. For the price, they are a really good option (there's NO excuse for a set of non-custom headers to cost $1000+). When I purchased them, the whole "kit" (headers and mid pipe) ran me $500. After having everything (including the mid/X-pipe and rear section) ceramic coated, I'm only out $950. They fit well, are easy to install and I noticed a decent bump in performance once they were on.
The only negative I can say is that they send garbage clamps and the number of joints provide a lot of places to leak. My solution was to weld the 45 degree bends to the collector (see red circles) and the rear of the x-pipe to the rear section (blue circles) of the exhaust (not the over the axle section). This reduced the number of clamps by 1/2 and I replaced all the clamps with lap joint clamps (see second picture). While this means I have to get the car up higher (still on jack stands) to get the headers in,
I've never had any leaking.
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Sep 29, 2021 at 12:47 AM.
Has anyone on here added high flow cats to the x-pipe that comes with this kit? If so, can you post up pics, and details of what you did. I don't want to go without cats, that is the ONLY reason that I have not considered this kit. Yeah, the Kooks are much more expensive, but I can get them ceramic coated and with cats.
Has anyone on here added high flow cats to the x-pipe that comes with this kit? If so, can you post up pics, and details of what you did. I don't want to go without cats, that is the ONLY reason that I have not considered this kit. Yeah, the Kooks are much more expensive, but I can get them ceramic coated and with cats.
Great question. I was going to ask the same thing.
I've had their 1-7/8" headers on my 04 for getting close to 4 years now and I can't complain. For the price, they are a really good option (there's NO excuse for a set of non-custom headers to cost $1000+). When I purchased them, the whole "kit" (headers and mid pipe) ran me $500. After having everything (including the mid/X-pipe and rear section) ceramic coated, I'm only out $950. They fit well, are easy to install and I noticed a decent bump in performance once they were on.
The only negative I can say is that they send garbage clamps and the number of joints provide a lot of places to leak. My solution was to weld the 45 degree bends to the collector (see red circles) and the rear of the x-pipe to the rear section (blue circles) of the exhaust (not the over the axle section). This reduced the number of clamps by 1/2 and I replaced all the clamps with lap joint clamps (see second picture). While this means I have to get the car up higher (still on jack stands) to get the headers in,
I've never had any leaking.
Thank you for that great write up. I currently have a Borla x pipe after the factory cats and will be installing Borla Stingers tomorrow. My 3rd axle back in about 3 weeks. I'm hoping this is the sound I am looking for. The previous 2 weren't much louder than stock.
Are you not running cats? I don't see any in your pics.
Thank you for that great write up. I currently have a Borla x pipe after the factory cats and will be installing Borla Stingers tomorrow. My 3rd axle back in about 3 weeks. I'm hoping this is the sound I am looking for. The previous 2 weren't much louder than stock.
Are you not running cats? I don't see any in your pics.
No, he isn't running cats. That's the problem with this kit.
Honestly, I would get headers installed before you keep swapping out axle backs as the headers will significantly change the sound that you get out of them. With that said, IMHO Borla Stingers do sound pretty good.
Last edited by MWWarlord; Sep 29, 2021 at 11:08 AM.
Reason: spelling and grammar
Thank you for that great write up. I currently have a Borla x pipe after the factory cats and will be installing Borla Stingers tomorrow. My 3rd axle back in about 3 weeks. I'm hoping this is the sound I am looking for. The previous 2 weren't much louder than stock.
Are you not running cats? I don't see any in your pics.
No I'm not and that's not my car, that's just the stock photo from Speed Eng. My setup is welded and coated.
Originally Posted by MWWarlord
No, he isn't running cats. That's the problem with this kit.
Honestly, I would get headers installed before you keep swapping out axle backs as the headers will significantly change the sound that you get out of them. With that said, IMHO Borla Stingers do sound pretty good.
Not having cats isn't a "problem with this kit." I didn't want cats so I wouldn't have bought them even if they were available. If you want cats, then you have to buy something else.
No I'm not and that's not my car, that's just the stock photo from Speed Eng. My setup is welded and coated.
Not having cats isn't a "problem with this kit." I didn't want cats so I wouldn't have bought them even if they were available. If you want cats, then you have to buy something else.
I'm sure a good exhaust shop could figure a way to get cats installed, but you will probably pay more in fab time and materials than just buying a kit that has cats from the start. Not to mention it probably won't fit as well.
I'm sure a good exhaust shop could figure a way to get cats installed, but you will probably pay more in fab time and materials than just buying a kit that has cats from the start. Not to mention it probably won't fit as well.
That kinda sucks then since I already purchased a set from someone that never installed them. I really don't want to run catless because of what I read about the fuel smell.
That kinda sucks then since I already purchased a set from someone that never installed them. I really don't want to run catless because of what I read about the fuel smell.
My reasoning for not adding cats was that to buy the headers and then have cats installed would be a poor investment. If you already own the headers, I'd suggest installing them and running them for a while. Worst case you find out you want cats and then at that point (because you already have everything installed), it shouldn't be a problem for an exhaust shop to add cats. I've had several LSx vehicles over the past 20 years and I've never had cats on any of them.
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Sep 29, 2021 at 12:25 PM.
My reasoning for not adding cats was that to buy the headers and then have cats installed would be a poor investment. If you already own the headers, I'd suggest installing them and running them for a while. Worst case you find out you want cats and then at that point (because you already have everything installed), it shouldn't be a problem for an exhaust shop to add cats. I've had several LSx vehicles over the past 20 years and I've never had cats on any of them.
I really appreciate all the info! I'm definitely a newbie. I've owned my C5 for about 3 months now. My first Corvette, so I'm learning a lot from people like you.
I really appreciate all the info! I'm definitely a newbie. I've owned my C5 for about 3 months now. My first Corvette, so I'm learning a lot from people like you.
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