Headers or Catback exhaust?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Warren county, NJ
Headers or Catback exhaust?
I'm trying to decide what is a better performance upgrade.
I put a deposit on an 03 C5 with 30,000 miles.
I want get a little more power by having an ECU tune and adding either headers or an upgraded exhaust to compliment the tune.
I can't afford all three so what is a better choice?
1. Tune and headers
2. Tune and catback exhaust
Please offer your input if you had to make this choice.
Thanks
I put a deposit on an 03 C5 with 30,000 miles.
I want get a little more power by having an ECU tune and adding either headers or an upgraded exhaust to compliment the tune.
I can't afford all three so what is a better choice?
1. Tune and headers
2. Tune and catback exhaust
Please offer your input if you had to make this choice.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
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Headers will give the ability to make more power, but won't do much on their own, and the install is more difficult.
Cat-back is easier to install, and will give just a little bit more hp than stock, if any.
Cat-back is easier to install, and will give just a little bit more hp than stock, if any.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 657
From: Pingree Grove IL
Headers, air intake, and a tune could get you 40-50 rear wheel horsepower, do high flo cats while you’re in there. I dino’d 340 wheel horsepower with LG 1 3/4 header, high flo cats, bullet cat back, and Vararam intake, through an auto transmission. A manual with these upgrades and tune should be 350-355 wheel horsepower. Ive had my C5 like this since 2006, never had a problem with anything, super reliable.
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Joined: May 2013
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Adding headers is only as good as the tune you are getting with it, you'll also want a good intake as others have mentioned. I had headers on my old 99 and it made a nice sound and a good power bump, but only you can determine if the price:performance ratio is in your cards.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,755
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From: Orlando Florida
Which headers? Several members have reported power gains from the Chinesium long tubes on par with the big dollar versions for literally 1/3 (or less).
That said, I have seen very few, if any, members that were happy with cheap cat backs.
I’d suggest watching for a good used cat back (or posting a WTB), bank the difference between new and used and drop a set of the better Chinesium as well.
That said, I have seen very few, if any, members that were happy with cheap cat backs.
I’d suggest watching for a good used cat back (or posting a WTB), bank the difference between new and used and drop a set of the better Chinesium as well.
Le Mans Master
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From: Oviedo Florida
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Good headers and tune is your best choice.
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I'd highly recommend doing both the cat back and headers .. but, if your choice is limited to either or, the headers will give you better flow than the cat back. Make sure you get a good tune.
Cat back will give you a much better sound than just headers.
You are doing it kind of piecemeal though.. if you know you're going to change the cat backs later, do it now.
Cat back will give you a much better sound than just headers.
You are doing it kind of piecemeal though.. if you know you're going to change the cat backs later, do it now.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Pingree Grove IL
You get what you pay for. I chose LG, 17 years ago. 80,000 miles later, still going strong. Good brands I’d recommend are LG, American Racing, and Kooks. If you want Chineseum, go for it, in the end it’s your car and your pocket book.
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For a power upgrade, go with the headers and a tune. Just find a really good shop to do the tune.