what headers do yall recommend
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
what headers do yall recommend
I have a 03 c5 50th anniversary and I am just not sure what headers I should get as well as sizing. I dont want to order some and mess up the sizing and have to re order new ones. I was looking at american racing long tube headers as ive heard good things about them. price wise im not sure what good headers go for but the ones I looked at were 2100
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 897
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From: SW Desert
I have LG 1 3/4" long tubes that were installed by the previous owner. BUT before to go out and grab "a set of headers" what are your performance goals for your vehicle? Any other MODS? Are you auto trans or manual? Headers are a good part of a comprehensive build so before you plunk down $2K or so you may want to establish a good plan of attack to get the most bang for your buck. Plenty of good advice available on this forum as to heads, cam and gear selection.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I have ARH 1-3/4" headers and catless x pipe. Install was very easy. I got mine through DRM.
Race Director
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When shopping options, I get confused by the size offerings. I'm currently running a Corsa Indy Pro plus axle-back system with Corsa X-pipe. If I go with long-tube headers (with cats) I would need to lose the Corsa X-pipe correct? If so, how do I figure out the correct size to order?
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Lots of people rave about the Speed Engineering headers.
https://speed-engineering.com/produc...e-stainless-m2
https://speed-engineering.com/produc...e-stainless-m2
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,404
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
Kooks, directly recommended by my mechanic "TunedbyFrost", who has installed ALL of them.
1 3/4 if you will stay naturally aspirated.
1 7/8 if you are every considering forced induction.
1 3/4 if you will stay naturally aspirated.
1 7/8 if you are every considering forced induction.
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Banned Scam/Spammer
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2k for steel tubing is stupid. Better fitment or not, its not justified. The R&D doesnt justify it either its not a space shuttle, its an 18-25 year old car. Once on the Dyno, theres a marginal difference between brands and individual cars. Its too little to notice while driving. What it comes down to is quality steel, and fitment that is leak free. The cheaper brands dont fit as well but they do fit. If you are a competent DIYer, get the cheap ones. Just make sure the company is using the good steel and has decent customer service. I always try to get someone on the phone or through email before I use a company, just as a test.
I can personally vouch for Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) headers. I have them on my 03 base model with an ECS supercharging kit and the car made 550 wHP and 487 wTQ with just those two Mods. The are reachable by phone also. I think they are the cheapest ones you can get. I dont believe in dumping as much $$$ into a car that I paid for it if its just a street car. If its a track car, thats a different story.
Good luck!
I can personally vouch for Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) headers. I have them on my 03 base model with an ECS supercharging kit and the car made 550 wHP and 487 wTQ with just those two Mods. The are reachable by phone also. I think they are the cheapest ones you can get. I dont believe in dumping as much $$$ into a car that I paid for it if its just a street car. If its a track car, thats a different story.
Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
2k for steel tubing is stupid. Better fitment or not, its not justified. The R&D doesnt justify it either its not a space shuttle, its an 18-25 year old car. Once on the Dyno, theres a marginal difference between brands and individual cars. Its too little to notice while driving. What it comes down to is quality steel, and fitment that is leak free. The cheaper brands dont fit as well but they do fit. If you are a competent DIYer, get the cheap ones. Just make sure the company is using the good steel and has decent customer service. I always try to get someone on the phone or through email before I use a company, just as a test.
I can personally vouch for Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) headers. I have them on my 03 base model with an ECS supercharging kit and the car made 550 wHP and 487 wTQ with just those two Mods. The are reachable by phone also. I think they are the cheapest ones you can get. I dont believe in dumping as much $$$ into a car that I paid for it if its just a street car. If its a track car, thats a different story.
Good luck!
I can personally vouch for Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) headers. I have them on my 03 base model with an ECS supercharging kit and the car made 550 wHP and 487 wTQ with just those two Mods. The are reachable by phone also. I think they are the cheapest ones you can get. I dont believe in dumping as much $$$ into a car that I paid for it if its just a street car. If its a track car, thats a different story.
Good luck!
TPS Motorsports makes a good header, that's made in the USA too, and not as expensive as the Kooks or ARH.
The Speed Engineering are cheap, but fit great from many reports online. If they're all made from the same steel (304 stainless usually, some cheaper headers may use 409 which will rust), and the tubes are the same diameter, a tube is a tube is a tube, in my opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,697
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From: Pingree Grove IL
I have LG 1 3/4. Have had them on since 2007, automatic trans. Headers make good power even if you don’t do other mods. No issues with my entire exhaust system since 2007. LG catted xpipe and bullet cat back.
Good Luck, you won’t be disappointed.
Good Luck, you won’t be disappointed.
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,046
Likes: 1,160
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
2k for steel tubing is stupid. Better fitment or not, its not justified. The R&D doesnt justify it either its not a space shuttle, its an 18-25 year old car. Once on the Dyno, theres a marginal difference between brands and individual cars. Its too little to notice while driving. What it comes down to is quality steel, and fitment that is leak free. The cheaper brands dont fit as well but they do fit. If you are a competent DIYer, get the cheap ones. Just make sure the company is using the good steel and has decent customer service. I always try to get someone on the phone or through email before I use a company, just as a test.
I can personally vouch for Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) headers. I have them on my 03 base model with an ECS supercharging kit and the car made 550 wHP and 487 wTQ with just those two Mods. The are reachable by phone also. I think they are the cheapest ones you can get. I dont believe in dumping as much $$$ into a car that I paid for it if its just a street car. If its a track car, thats a different story.
Good luck!
I can personally vouch for Texas Speed and Performance (TSP) headers. I have them on my 03 base model with an ECS supercharging kit and the car made 550 wHP and 487 wTQ with just those two Mods. The are reachable by phone also. I think they are the cheapest ones you can get. I dont believe in dumping as much $$$ into a car that I paid for it if its just a street car. If its a track car, thats a different story.
Good luck!
And what did you have to do to figure this out?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-problem.html
I had none of those problems
1 other question for ya, how much of the exhaust you need to take apart to change the starter since the are slip fit headers?
Last edited by Smoken1; Aug 12, 2022 at 04:15 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 159
Likes: 50
Did you have to remove the coil packs or the starter or the steering shaft to install the TSP headers?
And what did you have to do to figure this out?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-problem.html
I had none of those problems
1 other question for ya, how much of the exhaust you need to take apart to change the starter since the are slip fit headers?
And what did you have to do to figure this out?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-problem.html
I had none of those problems
1 other question for ya, how much of the exhaust you need to take apart to change the starter since the are slip fit headers?
You're throwing a ton of questions and sounding defensive about headers man. Chill out chief. Some people can afford to do an extra 15 minutes, an hour of two of work, it's no big deal. I'd even say worth it to save a grand.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
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From: Greensboro Nc
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,046
Likes: 1,160
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Did you even read the thread? They sent another header that fit better, not perfect but a lot better per the OP of that thread.
Yea I did read it, the OP asking about size and brand and I answered that ARH and Kook's are good headers and said that I have Kooks
You're throwing a ton of questions and sounding defensive about headers man.
I was just asking what 2003 Coupe had to do to install the TSP headers he was talking about being they are slip fit style header and also asking what all was involved installing those
Chill out chief. Some people can afford to do an extra 15 minutes, an hour of two of work, it's no big deal. I'd even say worth it to save a grand.
Yea I did read it, the OP asking about size and brand and I answered that ARH and Kook's are good headers and said that I have Kooks
You're throwing a ton of questions and sounding defensive about headers man.
I was just asking what 2003 Coupe had to do to install the TSP headers he was talking about being they are slip fit style header and also asking what all was involved installing those
Chill out chief. Some people can afford to do an extra 15 minutes, an hour of two of work, it's no big deal. I'd even say worth it to save a grand.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 322
Likes: 54
Did you have to remove the coil packs or the starter or the steering shaft to install the TSP headers?
And what did you have to do to figure this out?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-problem.html
I had none of those problems
1 other question for ya, how much of the exhaust you need to take apart to change the starter since the are slip fit headers?
And what did you have to do to figure this out?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-problem.html
I had none of those problems
1 other question for ya, how much of the exhaust you need to take apart to change the starter since the are slip fit headers?
Sorry OP.
Last edited by 2003_Coupe; Aug 13, 2022 at 12:18 AM.
Race Director
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From: The Sunshine State
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Did you match up the Kooks to your stock axle back or do you have another exhaust system? Per my earlier response, I'm running a set of Corsa Indy Pros that have been on the car since 2004. Still running and sounding good, however since I'm planning to install some headers (with cats), I'm considering a new axle back as well and then retiring my Corsa and matching X-pipe. Do the 1 7/8 Kooks match up?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 657
Likes: 181
From: Houma Louisiana
I personally have Speed Engineering headers, 2 and half years installed and have had no problems. I was surprised at how easy they were to install. Passenger side went in from the top, drivers side went in from the bottom. I left mine unwrapped but did wrap my starter with some heat reflective tape. I paid 415 shipped to my door. I went with new GM metal gaskets and bought new band clamps to help seal better. I just couldn't justify spending 1k plus or more on headers but that's just me.