TPIS Header owners, your thoughts would be appreciated
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 4
From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
TPIS Header owners, your thoughts would be appreciated
I have an opportunity to buy a new set of TPIS LT headers here in Canada for the C5. I realize that Dynatech and LG's are the forum favorites here and I like their systems, but getting one of these setups up to Canada and through the border would cost a small fortune?
I have TPIS headers on my 86 and love 'em but not familiar with their C5 product line. What is the quality like and what gains have you dyno'd on a relatively stock LS1. In looking at them on the web, it seems they would be a PITA to install?
Comments/suggestions, as always would be appreciated
I have TPIS headers on my 86 and love 'em but not familiar with their C5 product line. What is the quality like and what gains have you dyno'd on a relatively stock LS1. In looking at them on the web, it seems they would be a PITA to install?
Comments/suggestions, as always would be appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
I have the TPIS, Love them. I know two guys who spent the money for LGs ( Borla special made ) and were not too happy and went back to the TPIS and sold the LGs. DOnt think they retuned their cars though.
Could go either way too.
When you put on your headers( no matter which ones) and other mods dont for get the most important mod, your dyno tune. Without the dyno tune all the mods are not going to help much.
Could go either way too.
When you put on your headers( no matter which ones) and other mods dont for get the most important mod, your dyno tune. Without the dyno tune all the mods are not going to help much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
I ran TPIS headers on my C5 for almost 5 years, and also did a before/after dyno (stock motor @ the time) and only gained 10 rwhp and 9 rwtq. I haven't done a new dyno since i installed the LG's but i can tell you that SOTP the LG's definitly gave the car a boost in HP/TQ. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 5
From: Jensen Beach FL
I’ve had the TPIS headers on my C5 (coupe) for several years. I’m very pleased with the power and fit. On the stock engine with the TPIS headers I put down 337 RWHP. That may not sound like a lot, but the car ran consistently at 115+ mph in the ¼ mile. With heads and cam I’m putting down 444 RWHP.
Installation was a piece of cake. I’ve installed headers on a lot of different vehicles, and these are the easiest I have ever installed.
My only issue with the TPIS headers is the fact that they are made of mild steel. In spite of the ceramic coating they are rusting terribly. My car is driven about 3,000 miles per year, very rarely in the rain, and never in the snow or when there is any possibility of salt being on the road. Every set of TPIS headers I have seen that are more than two years old are also rusting. Due only to this issue I would not purchase them again. I will definitely go with stainless steel headers next time (which will be soon!)
Installation was a piece of cake. I’ve installed headers on a lot of different vehicles, and these are the easiest I have ever installed.
My only issue with the TPIS headers is the fact that they are made of mild steel. In spite of the ceramic coating they are rusting terribly. My car is driven about 3,000 miles per year, very rarely in the rain, and never in the snow or when there is any possibility of salt being on the road. Every set of TPIS headers I have seen that are more than two years old are also rusting. Due only to this issue I would not purchase them again. I will definitely go with stainless steel headers next time (which will be soon!)
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,605
Likes: 1,722
From: Converse TX
I have a set on my FI 700+ rwhp car and they seem to work just fine. I bought them used and mine do not show any rust. For the money they are fine headers, sure several others you can get a few additional HP but at what cost
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by CraZee ZO6
I have a set of TPIS headers tuned by Vette Doctors, IM LOVING them.
Definetly a performance increase and the car runs HARD up top.
Sounds awesome too w/ GHL's
-Zee
Definetly a performance increase and the car runs HARD up top.
Sounds awesome too w/ GHL's
-Zee
Yup that is what I had. TPIS headers, Random Tech High flow cats and 3" X-pipe and GHL Bullet Exhaust. Took off the GHLs, now just run 3" straight pipes.
fricken loud.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Bonita Springs Fl
I have a set of TPIS headers also. They have been on the car over 1 year and no problems or rust.They are just as shinny as the day they were put on.
334.3 hp at 5700 rpms and 345.3 ft/lbs 4100 rpms before headers and tune.
354.6 hp at 5700 rpms and 360.1 ft/lbs 4400 rpms with the headers.
362.1 hp at 5900 rpms and 370.5 ft/lbs 4100 rpms with a dyno-tune ls1 edit.
Then we added alittle juice.
393.6 hp at 5400 rpms and 437.6 ft/lbs 4100
334.3 hp at 5700 rpms and 345.3 ft/lbs 4100 rpms before headers and tune.
354.6 hp at 5700 rpms and 360.1 ft/lbs 4400 rpms with the headers.
362.1 hp at 5900 rpms and 370.5 ft/lbs 4100 rpms with a dyno-tune ls1 edit.
Then we added alittle juice.
393.6 hp at 5400 rpms and 437.6 ft/lbs 4100
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,160
Likes: 7
From: Chandler Az
I had TPIS headers and i love them then i decided to try LGs but if i could do it over i would of kept the TPIS headers. LGs are good but not worth the extra money as i only picked up few ponies and few torque.
R.
R.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 4
From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by MGorman
Installation was a piece of cake. I’ve installed headers on a lot of different vehicles, and these are the easiest I have ever installed.
PS: Thanks to all for the great feedback...much appreciated
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,392
Likes: 573
From: Dallas Tx
St. Jude Vendor Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
I have 2 sets of TPIS take off headers for sale for $500 each set
I can send them to Canada if you would like. I can give you an invoice for $100 for the headers and you can add $400 for the advice and only pay a small duty on the $100.
Also note, that the more mods you have the more difference you will see in your choice of headers.
Thanks
Lou Gigliotti LGM
I can send them to Canada if you would like. I can give you an invoice for $100 for the headers and you can add $400 for the advice and only pay a small duty on the $100.
Also note, that the more mods you have the more difference you will see in your choice of headers.
Thanks
Lou Gigliotti LGM
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
I have the TPIS ceramic coated with Random Tech Cats. No welding required and fit great. ECS did a great job with the install!! The ceramic coating doesn't eliminate all corrosion (never driven in rain or snow but still face corrosion issues). I love the headers but have been thinking I should have put stainless (I do not think stainless was offered 2 yrs ago for C5 application??).
Last edited by skidmarc; Dec 23, 2005 at 10:56 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 5
From: Jensen Beach FL
Originally Posted by 4GTABODT
...but how did you connect the H pipe connectiont to the cats? I'm assuming you have welding capabilities at the house?
PS: Thanks to all for the great feedback...much appreciated
PS: Thanks to all for the great feedback...much appreciated
Sorry I did not mean to mislead you. Honestly I had forgotten about the adaptor piece. Even if you use it, it still won’t be a difficult job. But if you don’t have access to a welder, the installation will be more difficult than I lead you to believe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
When I put the TPIS headers on my car they rusted pretty badly in about 6 months. They are now a couple years old and even more rusty...but they perform well. The primary tubes are stil shiney so they look OK from the top. If you can get 'em for a good price, go for it.
Team Owner
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I have had the coated TPIs on my car for over 3 years...zero issues..still look great no rust or anything...went from 296rwhp to 328rwhp with them..many mods since 
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I have TPIS headers that I bought used with a magnaflow X pipe. They sound great and don't seem to have any problems working with my 383. They're still shiney too. The install was very easy as well. 
About my only complaint would be that I was using Borg Warner spark plug wires and they touched the header and were damaged. This is not so much a complaint about the headers as it is about Borg Warner products. The wires were very poor quality and I went through two sets because they fell apart as I was trying to take them off for the first time(both sets fell apart). I went with MSD wires and 0 problems.
About my only complaint would be that I was using Borg Warner spark plug wires and they touched the header and were damaged. This is not so much a complaint about the headers as it is about Borg Warner products. The wires were very poor quality and I went through two sets because they fell apart as I was trying to take them off for the first time(both sets fell apart). I went with MSD wires and 0 problems.