I posted this on the other forum in response to a question. So, I thoght I would share would share my thoughts here. Feel free to tear it up.

Well, I'm not a header engineer by any means and it is very hard to compare these products side by side.

But, here is what I have learned.

LGM Header

Cost $500 to $600 More
IMHO, because LGM does not manufacture it. Borla does. So there is an extra middleman

3" to 3" Cat
Better flow, maybe worse on emissions

Merge Collector
Proven to provide Torque and HP. Catch, they seemed to need to be adjusted to a particular car. Which is why they are normally slip-on. Also it is normaly not that much. Does it help, hard to say?

Only two oxygen bungs.
I think this has been changed or is in the process. If only two then simulators will be needed

Cats not close to stock location
This may cause it to be harder to pass a visual inspection. If this causes the cats to heat slower or not enough, it will hurt emissions.

X Pipe in front of Cats
I read this may help HP/TQ. I have not seen the science behind it yet. So I cannot judge for myself.

3” pipe all the may to the muffler section.
Can flow more volume. If 2.5" muffler section used hard to say how much. As DJWorm pointed out, a 3" pipe can reduce flow velocities on a stock cude motor. See below post for more info. May help on larger cube motor.


SuperMaxx Header

$500 to $600 cheaper
One less middleman IMHO.

3” to 2.5” Cat
This will reduce flow. May be better on emissions.

Four Oxygen sensor bungs
No simulators needed.

Cats Closer to stock location
May help in a visual inspection. Also if cats heat better and faster it wll help emissions.

2.5” pipe after cat all the way to muffler section
This is definitely less volume than 3”, but since the muffler section is normally 2.5” not sure of the advantage of 3” pipe. Also, 2.5" pipe, as stated earlier, may be better on stock cube motor.

X Pipe After Cat
This is the most common. May give up a little.


Bottom Line

I can not tell that big a difference from the dyno sheets that have been posted. Both seem to be quality products. The most I will ever do to my car is a cam. So, I’m leaning towards the Supermaxx headers and $500+ bucks in my wallet.


More info is always welcomed! Also, I know all of you will, correct me where I am wrong.

Take care,

 

Go with your gut feeling. I did all of the same research you posted and still went with LG. I don't have a great reason, just that I felt more comfortable using theirs vs anyone elses. I do not regret my decision one bit!

 

Tough choices if you just limit yourself to those two. Every header out there has some drawback.

The LGs are around $500.00 more and have some of the other drawbacks you describe, although the newer ones are supposed to come out with 4 02 bungs and the cats in front of the X pipe.

The Dynatechs have gotten some criticism with regard to the 2.5in pipe after the cats.

Of the others you didn't mention, KOOKS headers are stainless, uses a 3in x pipe, and the cats are where they are supposed to be. The manufacturer does not use a stainless midsection if that matters to you. But KOOKS perform exceptionally well, are made in house, and have been for over 40 years, have a well earned reputation in racing, and are reasonably priced.

 

I am not sure the Super Maxx pipes were out when I bought my LG's so I can't compare. However I can say that I am a very satisfied LG owner and that the install was easy enough for me to do alone.....and I have not had one issue with codes etc...with these. BTW I put my cats in front of the X pipe before I knew that they could go behind.

 

Did you edit out your rear O2s or use sims? If so then that is a big part of the reason why you have not had any codes.

High flow cats on any system can in some instances cause you to throw codes.

 

I am using sims that I bought from LG when I purchased the system.

 

And I have edited out my rear 02s with my KOOKS because I was throwing a catalytic converter inadequately heated code, which can be seen with high flow cats.

Not everyone throws this code however, and it was simple enough to edit out.

 

I do agree I think Kooks is a good product. I wrote the response to a guy asking about just the two mentioned.

For, me I am leaning towards doing the install myself and have read that the kooks are a little harder to install. Also, Summit has the Supermaxx for $1315 shipped to my door. I am finding that price hard to beat.

Take Care,

 

Not to hijack the thread but has anyone tried the Bassani headers. They seem like they are very easy to install and eliminate have to loosen the starter, etc ..

Tino

 

There's a GP on Dynatechs at corvettegarage.com. GREAT PRICE!

 

That is a great deal.

But, for us Texas boys you have to add $106 tax. I would love to get in on the GP, but it will cost me $40.


Take Care

 

It never hurts to ask if you can get the same price even though you are in Texas. I have done that several times with success.

You have a tough decision before you concerning the headers. My personal preference is LG or Kooks headers. People complain about the cost of headers and want to go cheaper but in my opinion all headers for the Corvette are over priced and if I have to pay the Corvette tax then I will buy the best I can. You may say that you plan on doing a cam and stop there but when you get spanked bad by some other car you will want more. Go with the header that will get you the most performance and be done with them.

 

Good advice. I did call them and they got close. Still was a $40 difference.

I hear you. If I was having someone else install them I would go with the Kooks. But, I enjoy wrenching, great distraction for me. That make the Supermaxx more attractive to me.


Take Care,

 

The original KOOKS 1 3/4 for C5s released over a year ago were difficult to install. After the revision of the driver side header in the spring of '04 they are considerably easier to install. KOOKS aren't much if any more difficult to install than any of the others now as installing headers on a C5 is no walk in the park anyway. Now I do hear that the 1 7/8s are still tough sledding.

I installed my KOOKS single handedly on ramps and jackstand and actually found my Vararam to be a more tedious install than my KOOKS.
I got my KOOKS system X pipe and cats, for $1330.00 shipped to my door back in August '04.

If it is the just the install and only the install deterring you from the KOOKS headers, don't let it. It ain't bad.

 

Search is your friend. You will find more than you want to know about LG's and Lou.

 

My LG's had bungs put into the x-pipe (at my request) to accept all four O2 sensors. I also was sent extensions to get the front sensors down to the headers bungs.

We are installing the cats AHEAD of the X-pipe, which is perfectly fine.

 

Out of curiosity, how much extra did that cost you? The extra bungs and the extensions?

 

The middleman makes it cheaper in this case. Actually, it'd probably be cheaper if LG gave all the rights away for free to Borla. LG can make you a set in house, but it's done by hand, and I think it costs $1-2k more than the Borla's.

 

LG, is either too small or does not have the equipment to make the headers in large quanity. So, they are fabbed out. This will always raise the manufacturing cost compared to a company that can do them in house. As far as I can tell, there is not any patents on the LGM headers. Therefore, there is nothing to give away.

In any case, they are still $500+ more than the Supermaxx. It really does not matter why they are more just that they are more.


Rick

 

In my opinion, if your looking for a cheap way out and don't plan to do a head and cam package, go with the Duramax.

If you are really into modding your vette, don't settle for second best. Kooks, QTP tri Y's, or LG Pros will fit the best, look the best and make the most hp. IMO, hold off until you have the resources and buy the LG Pros. You won't be dissapointed.