If you had to choose between one or the other...which one?

Thanks for any feedback.

Aloha
Bil

 

Headers. To me, better breathing = longer engine life. It's not just about more HP (another benefit). Add to that with 3.90's you'll also need to consider different tires, as traction (or lack thereof) becomes even more of an issue. :)

 

With all the mods that you have already, headers would fall right into line with them. Only problem is smog law. How strict is it on the island? With shorty headers they probably will be legal, but will not add much HP. But they should sound sweet. Long tubes would be great, but might make the smog god pissed.
:cool:

 

Thanks for the replies....no smog inspections here so no problem. Id love to do both but not at the same time. Still on the fence...

Thanks
Bill

 

Depends on how you use the car - IMO 3.90 gears are rather "big" for these cars and 1st gear will be almost useless. A 3.73 would be my gear of choice, but in answer to your question if it were me I would go for the headers.

Les

 

for your Z i would say headers (you have better trans ratio)
in my coupe the gears were a great inprovement

 

:withstupid: If I had a C5 I'd do 4.10's in a heartbeat; had them in my cobra! Since the Z already has lower gears I'd go with headers. Mine will be here tomorrow. Some people with a large cam will go w/ gears to overcome the slight loss of lowend torque. Personally, I'd love to have 3.73s like the cadillac cts-v, but the difference would be minor and the cost is high. Enjoy you're beautiful island :cheers:

 

Thanks guys for the replies...I am still leaning towards the gears but havent decided for sure yet. Waiting to see more reviews of the Kooks headers, they seem to be a pretty good deal.

Aloha
Bill

 

:iagree: :iagree:

 

Headers without cats first. You will still notice a seat of the pants difference and added sound. If you feel it should still be louder, you can put on a different catback for when you gears go in. (When you install gears, the stock catback must be removed anyway)

 

I really dont want to go too loud and definitley will keep my cats on. I had a friend who went catless and regretted it due to the constant smell of unburned fuel. Thanks for the suggestion anyway :cheers:

 

i don't know how Hawaii is layed out, but i don't see you running it hard a lot or fast on a island in terms of using the gears. so i would have to agree with everybody else and go with the headers.

only bad thing is that headers is going to only give you like 5-12rwhp. not enough to feel it IMO. now with no cats, thats a different story. no cats give you like 15-20rwhp from what i heard

 

There is plenty of room to play here on Oahu, I had my Z to redline in 5th at about 165 mph just Saturday on a stretch that spanned a little over a half a mile, granted I entered the stretch at 100mph in 4th but there is plenty of room to hit it here. I had my 99 Suzuki Hayabus to 195 mph more times than I can remember, and my 500rwhp Vortech LS1 TA to 180mph (4k rpm in 6th gear) on the same straightaway that I ran the Z. Bill this is the straightaway before the Pearl City cut off heading west on H2 after it merges with Moanaloa Fwy.

Hey Bill, howzit fellow ZO6 owner in Hawaii! Dont tell me your Z is EB?! Ok, I think you should go with the headers. Take advantage of the lack of emissions here. Especially with our "specially" priced gas at $2.10 for 92 youll appreciate the gain in fuel economy inherent with headers. And the sound, very nice. I think 3.90's are to much for the stock supercar tires, I dont know about you but Im breaking traction in 3rd with only the vararam.

And youll be getting a little less mpg with the 3.90's. Either way youll get similar performance, you run with the headers and youll gain economy and sound. Ive been around the LS# for a while, this motor sounds awesome with long tubes.

Do you hit the track here? I ran a 12.7@114 mph with a 2.05 60ft. a few weeks ago, my 2nd pass with it. This car absolutely wails for a production car, Im very content with it.

 

If you tune you should be able to get 25rwhp with a good set of longtubes on an otherwise stock LS6.

HP


[Modified by EviLS6, 10:42 PM 1/6/2004]

 

The kooks may be a good deal if you are doing the install yourself. If not then the money saved on the purchase of the headers you will be throwing into the cost of installing them. Just something to think about. No flames :mad intended.
Personally I would do the LT headers first. They really wake these cars up. After the headers you may decide you don't need the gears.

 

Nice move sunshine...you do know what Bill does don't you? :smash:

 

Bill, you know my take on the choice. :thumbs:

Also, we're going to be at the Wendy's Kapolei cruise this Saturday and then on to the tracks following that.....you got time to make it out?

 

Oh I was just joking about the whole breaking the speedlimit thing, I wish I couldve gone that fast. :blueangel: 55 is good enough for me, Im just blowing smoke.

 

I too would go with headers.

 

I will try and make Wendy's on Saturday. What time will you guys be there, around 6:00 PM? I have plans for later in the evening so I wont be able to make the track. I'll look for you at Wendy's...

Evil..I have been known to push the limit at times but bottom line is we are all responsible for our actions. My worst fear would be causing the death of an innocent person due to my carelessness...but I aint gonna preach to you, we are all big boys. :cheers: