How reliable are headers?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 28, 2005 | 11:24 PM

KGB6

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 186

Likes: 0

How reliable are headers?

Please share with me your experiences with headers. I am considering having them installed on my C6 but am concerned about reliability problems such as leaks, rust, etc..

Sep 28, 2005 | 11:26 PM

schpenxel

Race Director

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 16,667

Likes: 1,209

From: Raleigh, NC

St. Jude Donor '15

the coated ones will last as long as any OEM ones will...definetly not something to worry about

Sep 29, 2005 | 07:44 AM

Wicked Weasel

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 24,652

Likes: 298

From: NJ

St. Jude Donor '05-'08

after teh install you should check to make sure everything is tight otherwise you will see no issues with aftermarket headers...

Sep 29, 2005 | 08:59 AM

byte_me

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 4,508

Likes: 237

From: Coconut Creek FL

Been running Stainless Shorties on my Coupe for several months now- including a 1200 mile round trip with no issues what so ever...in fact, the car runs A LOT cooler now...plus the added HP increase. I have B&B Stainless T304 and not coated...Stainless should last forever!

I say go for them- the headers out today are really well made....and all Stainless!

Last edited by byte_me; Sep 29, 2005 at 10:37 AM.

Sep 29, 2005 | 09:11 AM

Dan_the_C5_Man

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 5,561

Likes: 447

From: Atlanta metro Ga.

w/ the above, BUT..

Some manufactures use thin-wall tubing to save weight.. We (the CF) have seen the occasional cracks / breaking of welds.. I wouldn't expect a super-light weight aftermarket system to go 200K miles (like the stock exhaust would), but I wouldn't allow that to deter my purchase.

Sep 29, 2005 | 10:27 AM

nwdanner

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 896

Likes: 1

From: Overland Park KS

To ensure longevity, whatever you buy, make sure it's 100% stainless steel. I bought the LGM setup and I couldn't be happier!

Sep 29, 2005 | 10:59 AM

Byter

Racer

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 413

Likes: 0

From: Pennsville, NJ

I have had no problems with leaks, so I'd say they are very reliable. However, they will transmit some valvetrain noise that you normally don't hear with the cast iron exhaust manifolds.

Sep 29, 2005 | 11:02 AM

Roofless

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 1,527

Likes: 0

From: Tucson AZ

St. Jude Donor '11,'13

If you buy a good set of headers and they are installed properly, you should have no problem and they will porobly out last the car/you

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Joe Kucinski

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Michael S. Palmer

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Joe Kucinski

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Joe Kucinski

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Joe Kucinski

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Joe Kucinski

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Joe Kucinski

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Brett Foote

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Joe Kucinski

Sep 29, 2005 | 11:55 AM

MGorman

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 865

Likes: 5

From: Jensen Beach FL

Definitely go with stainless steel headers.

I have the TPIS coated headers and while I am pleased with the performance, after about 2 ½ years and 10,000 miles of use they are starting to rust terribly.

Sep 29, 2005 | 12:00 PM

#10

Ken1234

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 190

Likes: 0

Not to steal the post, but are the much louder? I have a vert.

Sep 29, 2005 | 12:54 PM

#11

byte_me

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 4,508

Likes: 237

From: Coconut Creek FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken1234

Not to steal the post, but are the much louder? I have a vert.

Depends on what else you have done...mainly cat back...I put a Z06 catback on my 97 with the shorty headers and the interior sound did go up...probably twice what it sounded like stock..however; at speed the noise from the run flats is louder! the car has a nice deep purr to it now...I would venture to say LT's would produce more sound, but if you were consertive with a catback (and were worried about drone) a stock or Z06 catback would be fine. Now if you have heads and a cam package...be prepared for some sound!

Sep 29, 2005 | 01:11 PM

#12

simpleman68

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 6,752

Likes: 3

From: Bethlehem PA

I would venture to say LT's would produce more sound, but if you were consertive with a catback (and were worried about drone) a stock or Z06 catback would be fine. Now if you have heads and a cam package...be prepared for some sound!

[/QUOTE]

Yup! Exactly what he said

Scott

Sep 29, 2005 | 01:42 PM

#13

Black 00 Coup

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 812

Likes: 13

From: Houston TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwdanner

To ensure longevity, whatever you buy, make sure it's 100% stainless steel. I bought the LGM setup and I couldn't be happier!

get the LGM set up

Sep 29, 2005 | 04:07 PM

#14

DPG

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 7,201

Likes: 0

From: DP(oh you know where) IL

St. Jude Donor '06

No matter what you get, get them ceramic coated. If the ones you buy dont come coated or dont have an option to coat. Go find a place that will do it. Its fairly cheap. Around $280 i think for a set of Longtube headers.

Sep 29, 2005 | 05:36 PM

#15

boosted_z06

Pro

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 593

Likes: 1

No I would not coat them if they are stainless steel for it transmits heat out on it own and when you coat them you increase the chances that welds will crack.
The cheapo mild steel ones should be coated on outside only.

Reply Subscribe

Reply Share

First
Prev
1 / 1
Next
Last

Forum Jump