C5 Header and Exhaust Recommendations
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Westfield, IN
C5 Header and Exhaust Recommendations
Going to tackle putting on new headers, x-pipe, and exhaust on my 02 C5 this winter, no prior mods. Was wondering what everyone else recommends using, and if you'd stay with same manufacturer for all? Wondering if I'm going to run into fit issues if I use header/x-pipe from one company, and exhaust from another? Thanks in advance everyone!
NCM Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5,337
Likes: 4,281
From: Cunningham, TN
2021 Corvette of the Year - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Winner- Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '26
I had LG Super-pro 1 3/4” headers with swappable off-road pipe/high flow cats in the mid/x-pipes when I was naturally aspirated.
I really liked them and the fitment was great.
I deleted the AIR pump system when they were installed. Makes changing plugs a lot easier on the driver side.
Make sure you order headers with or without the flange for the AIR pump system, depending on your preference of keeping or deleting it.
I have ARH 1 7/8” now that I have a supercharger. Great fitment as well, and the high flow cats are permanently built into the mid/x-pipes.
I really liked them and the fitment was great.
I deleted the AIR pump system when they were installed. Makes changing plugs a lot easier on the driver side.
Make sure you order headers with or without the flange for the AIR pump system, depending on your preference of keeping or deleting it.
I have ARH 1 7/8” now that I have a supercharger. Great fitment as well, and the high flow cats are permanently built into the mid/x-pipes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 29,881
Likes: 4,537
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I Installed a set Kooks long tube headers with the hi flow green cats on my '99 M6 Coupe about 5 1/2 years ago. Everything installed easily without having to jack up the engine or disconnect the steering shaft or remove the starter. Just moved the alternator aside, unbolted and moved the ground strap out of the way and they slip up from underneath in seconds. They fit perfectly with absolutely no clearance issues and no air tube modifications necessary. I had mine ceramic coated for heat and appearance. Great products and I highly recommend Kooks.
Instructor
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 106
Likes: 95
From: Bellingham, WA
I have Texas Speed long tube headers and x pipe going into a Corsa touring axle back. There's no drone, but it sounds mean and loud when you floor it. The TSP headers are great quality and less expensive than Kooks.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 651
From: Pingree Grove IL
LG headers with there catted X-pipe, going through B&B bullet exhaust. There is probably drone, but I can’t tell anymore. It’s been like this since 2005. Also have VR intake and tune, put down 340 wheel horsepower through auto transmission. Trap 108-109mph in the 1/4. 12.6 was my best time ever.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 121
Likes: 34
From: Ashland, Ohio
TPS headers (not Texas speed) and Billy boat bullets. Little loud on cold start but there is no drone. It's pretty quiet until you get on it and I think around 2500 rpm. I would definitely buy them both again.
Sadly the headers need to be modified to put a wideband bong there. You'll have to take out the starter to get the passenger header in but other than that, it was a breeze.
You'll also have to remove the AIR system. That's the only downside
Sadly the headers need to be modified to put a wideband bong there. You'll have to take out the starter to get the passenger header in but other than that, it was a breeze.
You'll also have to remove the AIR system. That's the only downside
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,531
Likes: 3,272
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
In most cases you will want to use the same brand headers and x-pipe. This will ensure proper fitment. Kooks are some of the best, and they fit great. However, they're also the most expensive. You can look at TPS motorsports. They have lots of different options so you can build the system how you want (with or without cats, with or without AIR system, etc). For cheap headers I would take a look at Speed engineering headers. They fit great, and they're cheap. The downsides are that you can't get them with cats, and the clamps that come with the system are total crap, so You'll want to either replace them with better clamps, or just weld everything together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3,914
From: Cincinnati, OH
Buy cheap ~$400 and deal with possible fitment issues or overall install issues.
Buy around $800+ and bolt them on and move on with life.
Many have great success with TPS RPM headers (myself included) and Hinson brand for a "middle of the road" price point.
Buy around $800+ and bolt them on and move on with life.
Many have great success with TPS RPM headers (myself included) and Hinson brand for a "middle of the road" price point.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 379
From: SC
I haven’t seen any complaints about speed engineering fitment, only that they come with clamps that aren’t that great.
I would either buy the $400 speed engineering headers if looking to save some money or spend big for kooks/arh headers. I wouldn’t bother with any of the middle priced headers personally
I would either buy the $400 speed engineering headers if looking to save some money or spend big for kooks/arh headers. I wouldn’t bother with any of the middle priced headers personally
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3,914
From: Cincinnati, OH
I haven’t seen any complaints about speed engineering fitment, only that they come with clamps that aren’t that great.
I would either buy the $400 speed engineering headers if looking to save some money or spend big for kooks/arh headers. I wouldn’t bother with any of the middle priced headers personally
I would either buy the $400 speed engineering headers if looking to save some money or spend big for kooks/arh headers. I wouldn’t bother with any of the middle priced headers personally
The middle priced headers are best bang for the buck of proper design/fitment/material and price. The TPS (NOT Texas Speed) are 1 7/8" and no need to jack up the motor/remove steering shaft and sit 1/4" from the bellhousing with amazing ground clearance. So they dropped right in, perform very well and saved me $500-700 compared to Kooks/ARH
IMO ball and socket header connections on any header brand have NO place on a C5.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 379
From: SC
I read your comment at "by cheapest possible or spend the most"...
The middle priced headers are best bang for the buck of proper design/fitment/material and price. The TPS (NOT Texas Speed) are 1 7/8" and no need to jack up the motor/remove steering shaft and sit 1/4" from the bellhousing with amazing ground clearance. So they dropped right in, perform very well and saved me $500-700 compared to Kooks/ARH
IMO ball and socket header connections on any header brand have NO place on a C5.
The middle priced headers are best bang for the buck of proper design/fitment/material and price. The TPS (NOT Texas Speed) are 1 7/8" and no need to jack up the motor/remove steering shaft and sit 1/4" from the bellhousing with amazing ground clearance. So they dropped right in, perform very well and saved me $500-700 compared to Kooks/ARH
IMO ball and socket header connections on any header brand have NO place on a C5.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,791
Likes: 4,614
I read your comment at "by cheapest possible or spend the most"...
The middle priced headers are best bang for the buck of proper design/fitment/material and price. The TPS (NOT Texas Speed) are 1 7/8" and no need to jack up the motor/remove steering shaft and sit 1/4" from the bellhousing with amazing ground clearance. So they dropped right in, perform very well and saved me $500-700 compared to Kooks/ARH
IMO ball and socket header connections on any header brand have NO place on a C5.
The middle priced headers are best bang for the buck of proper design/fitment/material and price. The TPS (NOT Texas Speed) are 1 7/8" and no need to jack up the motor/remove steering shaft and sit 1/4" from the bellhousing with amazing ground clearance. So they dropped right in, perform very well and saved me $500-700 compared to Kooks/ARH
IMO ball and socket header connections on any header brand have NO place on a C5.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 9,926
Likes: 7,225
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I am running speed engineering now. No fitment issues. I did weld in v bands at the collectors which is worlds better IMO than ball and socket and especially slip fits.
I made my own x pipe with cats.
All for pennies on the dollar over the boutique header brands that are out there. Yes I have owned multiple fancy brands of headers over the years each costing over 1k dollars.
I have maybe 550 into this setup.
I made my own x pipe with cats.
All for pennies on the dollar over the boutique header brands that are out there. Yes I have owned multiple fancy brands of headers over the years each costing over 1k dollars.
I have maybe 550 into this setup.