Header Question for 03 Coupe
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
Header Question for 03 Coupe
I have recently (1 month ago) purchased an 03 coupe. The car is primarily an every day drive. I bought it for my wife for her birthday and she uses it as a commuter. I am looking for a little more bottom end response but don't want a lot of noise or make it something she will not be comfortable driving.
The first mod I am planning is LT headers. I have been shopping the forum sponsors and web sites as well as used parts. Too many choices and opinions and too many $$$ for complete system from headers to X pipe.
Does anyone make a LT header that will terminate in front of the stock CATS? The car has pre cats and the large main cats. I want to use the existing system from the large cats back, eliminate the small pre cats and just cut the pipe, weld on a flange in front of the main cats and attach to the headers. The stock manifold and pre cat section can go back in if needed by adding a flange later to the cut ends.
Will change the air breather for a Halltech in near future as well.
Any help?
The first mod I am planning is LT headers. I have been shopping the forum sponsors and web sites as well as used parts. Too many choices and opinions and too many $$$ for complete system from headers to X pipe.
Does anyone make a LT header that will terminate in front of the stock CATS? The car has pre cats and the large main cats. I want to use the existing system from the large cats back, eliminate the small pre cats and just cut the pipe, weld on a flange in front of the main cats and attach to the headers. The stock manifold and pre cat section can go back in if needed by adding a flange later to the cut ends.
Will change the air breather for a Halltech in near future as well.
Any help?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
There are likely several you can go with. Most will require some professional help with cutting the stock system, etc. I know the Bellangers are made to mate with the stock system and they are a Tri-Y design, which I personally favor but there are differing opinions here as well. You probably need to decide which header you are looking for and then contact the vendors about connecting to the stock H pipe. The stock H pipe might limit your gains compared to high flow cats and an X pipe.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by vettenuts
There are likely several you can go with. Most will require some professional help with cutting the stock system, etc. I know the Bellangers are made to mate with the stock system and they are a Tri-Y design, which I personally favor but there are differing opinions here as well. You probably need to decide which header you are looking for and then contact the vendors about connecting to the stock H pipe. The stock H pipe might limit your gains compared to high flow cats and an X pipe.
Lots of choices out there if you are going to use your stock cats, but get ready for some cutting and welding.
One drawback to that is that should you wish to return to stock, the stock system has already been cut.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
Likes: 1
From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
Sounds like you may be better off doing shorties and not cutting the cats. The cutting and welding your talking about is going to drive up the price.
If you really want long tubes and not a lot of noise check out Z06 ti back end, with x-pipe and high flow cats as the enter section. Quiet, execept at WOT, will need a LS1 edit to correct air/fuel mixture. Whole package will run about 2 grand installed; you'll pick up about 30 rwhp.
Hope you find what you want!
If you really want long tubes and not a lot of noise check out Z06 ti back end, with x-pipe and high flow cats as the enter section. Quiet, execept at WOT, will need a LS1 edit to correct air/fuel mixture. Whole package will run about 2 grand installed; you'll pick up about 30 rwhp.
Hope you find what you want!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park KS
Originally Posted by EStreeter
I have recently (1 month ago) purchased an 03 coupe. The car is primarily an every day drive. I bought it for my wife for her birthday and she uses it as a commuter. I am looking for a little more bottom end response but don't want a lot of noise or make it something she will not be comfortable driving.
Be careful!! Maybe you should buy another C5. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,027
Likes: 6
From: Shiloh Ohio
Originally Posted by nwdanner
So, you said you bought the car for your wife, for her birthday, and now you think it needs more bottom end power? Being that it was her birthday gift - is she okay with you modding for your tastes? Now, I don't know your wife, but from this side of the computer screen it would seem that you really bought the car for yourself and used her birthday as a cover. Be careful!! Maybe you should buy another C5.
Be careful!! Maybe you should buy another C5. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by nwdanner
So, you said you bought the car for your wife, for her birthday, and now you think it needs more bottom end power? Being that it was her birthday gift - is she okay with you modding for your tastes? Now, I don't know your wife, but from this side of the computer screen it would seem that you really bought the car for yourself and used her birthday as a cover. Be careful!! Maybe you should buy another C5.
Be careful!! Maybe you should buy another C5.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,367
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by runamuk
My thoughts exactly, what kind of headers does your wife want.
When my wife and I decided we needed a pick up, she demanded one with a supercharger. So I had to buy her a Lightning. Same with my D.D. vert. She swore up and down about me needing a H/C job on it.
Last edited by 90 droptop; Mar 5, 2005 at 11:18 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
From: Langhorne PA
Originally Posted by nwdanner
So, you said you bought the car for your wife, for her birthday, and now you think it needs more bottom end power? Being that it was her birthday gift - is she okay with you modding for your tastes? Now, I don't know your wife, but from this side of the computer screen it would seem that you really bought the car for yourself and used her birthday as a cover. Be careful!!
Be careful!! Be careful!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 72
From: Upstate NY
Originally Posted by 90 droptop
When my wife and I decided we needed a pick up, she demanded one with a supercharger. So I had to buy her a Lightning. Same with my D.D. vert. She swore up and down about me needing a H/C job on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Originally Posted by EB20003
One drawback to that is that should you wish to return to stock, the stock system has already been cut.
I went with a front to back system so that if the need ever arises, the stock system is a simple plug in. I try to do that with all my mods. This can help with resale as well if someone wants a stock car. Mods turn off a lot of Corvette shoppers.
