Fewer companies making headers?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 284
From: Indianapolis
Fewer companies making headers?
Anybody notice that some companies are dropping their C5 headers? Texas Speed no longer makes them, Hooker dropped their LT's for C5s, I'm sure there's some other companies that stopped considering how few a lot of the reseller websites list nowadays.
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My guess is the manufacturer has just determined that the volume of sales is just not where it needs to be to sustain production.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 415
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From: Indianapolis
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 1,698
From: North Coast
I work in the performance aftermarket and here is the deal.
Headers never sell as well for the newer models as they did in the 60’s and 70’s. One they are not as easy to change. Two they se e less gains as many new manifolds do a much better job than past manifolds. Three they are no longer cheap.
Add to this the performance industry is not as strong as it once was. Many of the old companies are now owned by investment groups or Holley.
The major cost for these items is inventory. If it is not selling it is money tied up. Also people hate to wait for them to be made.
Most models they are added after they purchase a car. The C5 is one of the few that see a lot of mods late in life of the new models.
Headers never sell as well for the newer models as they did in the 60’s and 70’s. One they are not as easy to change. Two they se e less gains as many new manifolds do a much better job than past manifolds. Three they are no longer cheap.
Add to this the performance industry is not as strong as it once was. Many of the old companies are now owned by investment groups or Holley.
The major cost for these items is inventory. If it is not selling it is money tied up. Also people hate to wait for them to be made.
Most models they are added after they purchase a car. The C5 is one of the few that see a lot of mods late in life of the new models.
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I work in the performance aftermarket and here is the deal.
Headers never sell as well for the newer models as they did in the 60’s and 70’s. One they are not as easy to change. Two they se e less gains as many new manifolds do a much better job than past manifolds. Three they are no longer cheap.
Add to this the performance industry is not as strong as it once was. Many of the old companies are now owned by investment groups or Holley.
The major cost for these items is inventory. If it is not selling it is money tied up. Also people hate to wait for them to be made.
Most models they are added after they purchase a car. The C5 is one of the few that see a lot of mods late in life of the new models.
Headers never sell as well for the newer models as they did in the 60’s and 70’s. One they are not as easy to change. Two they se e less gains as many new manifolds do a much better job than past manifolds. Three they are no longer cheap.
Add to this the performance industry is not as strong as it once was. Many of the old companies are now owned by investment groups or Holley.
The major cost for these items is inventory. If it is not selling it is money tied up. Also people hate to wait for them to be made.
Most models they are added after they purchase a car. The C5 is one of the few that see a lot of mods late in life of the new models.
With that I did order a set of the new green line Kooks LT headers and had them jet coated black. Planned install first week in June with new A&A SC, new rear gears, and cam.
Burning Brakes
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Private Equity and "Just in time Inventory". Add to that the whole electric car charade... I'm sure there is some $$$ lawyers involved as well. PE will eventually kill the stuff we grew up with, like having fun tinkering with cars. Nothing matters but the CEO/CFO's loyalty to the owner(s) and shareholder(s). It is what is taught in business schools these days.
I have Jet Hot coated SE headers on my car. They fit, and are easy to install...
I have Jet Hot coated SE headers on my car. They fit, and are easy to install...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 415
Likes: 284
From: Indianapolis
Private Equity and "Just in time Inventory". Add to that the whole electric car charade... I'm sure there is some $$$ lawyers involved as well. PE will eventually kill the stuff we grew up with, like having fun tinkering with cars. Nothing matters but the CEO/CFO's loyalty to the owner(s) and shareholder(s). It is what is taught in business schools these days.
I have Jet Hot coated SE headers on my car. They fit, and are easy to install...
I have Jet Hot coated SE headers on my car. They fit, and are easy to install...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I work in the performance aftermarket and here is the deal.
Headers never sell as well for the newer models as they did in the 60’s and 70’s. One they are not as easy to change. Two they se e less gains as many new manifolds do a much better job than past manifolds. Three they are no longer cheap.
Add to this the performance industry is not as strong as it once was. Many of the old companies are now owned by investment groups or Holley.
The major cost for these items is inventory. If it is not selling it is money tied up. Also people hate to wait for them to be made.
Most models they are added after they purchase a car. The C5 is one of the few that see a lot of mods late in life of the new models.
Headers never sell as well for the newer models as they did in the 60’s and 70’s. One they are not as easy to change. Two they se e less gains as many new manifolds do a much better job than past manifolds. Three they are no longer cheap.
Add to this the performance industry is not as strong as it once was. Many of the old companies are now owned by investment groups or Holley.
The major cost for these items is inventory. If it is not selling it is money tied up. Also people hate to wait for them to be made.
Most models they are added after they purchase a car. The C5 is one of the few that see a lot of mods late in life of the new models.
I also work in performance aftermarket, and we have proprietary headers with our name on them,, we did all the R&D, and spent big money to get them produced,, Now we can not get them fast enough for our customers needs. We have zero on the shelf..
,, So there are many reasons why you can't get your headers when you want them. But its NOT because we don't want to stock them. I can sell all I can get,,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 1,698
From: North Coast
.
I also work in performance aftermarket, and we have proprietary headers with our name on them,, we did all the R&D, and spent big money to get them produced,, Now we can not get them fast enough for our customers needs. We have zero on the shelf..
,, So there are many reasons why you can't get your headers when you want them. But its NOT because we don't want to stock them. I can sell all I can get,,
I also work in performance aftermarket, and we have proprietary headers with our name on them,, we did all the R&D, and spent big money to get them produced,, Now we can not get them fast enough for our customers needs. We have zero on the shelf..
,, So there are many reasons why you can't get your headers when you want them. But its NOT because we don't want to stock them. I can sell all I can get,,
Add in the lack of materials, lack of labor and a system that was set for on time deliveries. They don’t like parts on their shelves at the mfg.
I have been at this for 30 years and while back orders are bad do not confuse this for massive demands. Sales are not like they used to be.
Add in the higher cost too. Steel headers are a waste. Stainless is the way to go on a Corvette. But the price scares many too, quality is not inexpensive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,948
Likes: 1,698
From: North Coast
Private Equity and "Just in time Inventory". Add to that the whole electric car charade... I'm sure there is some $$$ lawyers involved as well. PE will eventually kill the stuff we grew up with, like having fun tinkering with cars. Nothing matters but the CEO/CFO's loyalty to the owner(s) and shareholder(s). It is what is taught in business schools these days.
I have Jet Hot coated SE headers on my car. They fit, and are easy to install...
I have Jet Hot coated SE headers on my car. They fit, and are easy to install...
Equity firms own Edelbrock and all the companies they own. Also an Equity owns Jegs now. I am not hearing good things there.
CARB laws are really trouble too. The expense to get EO numbers are great. If you fail and sell in their states it can be millions in fines for a simple mistake.
It is getting as tough as the magazine buisness.