All these header choices are driving me crazy!
I currently have a 2000 coupe with a B&B Rt66 and an aftermarket X pipe (blackwing, couple other minor mods)
Now i want headers...

Requirments:
SS or coated as is
easy plug access
retain ALL emissions equipment
quality of course!

Narrowed down to:
Kooks
LG Street
TPIS (coated)
American Racing from vettedoctors

I would like coated (but coated as is; i.e. don't have to re-ship to JetHot) as to reduce heat. SS is great, but do they really throw off that much more heat, or am i making too big of a deal of it? If it's not that big of a diff. I'll go for SS without a second thought. Do any of our vendors sell SS already coated?

My next debate is the cats, etc. Since I've already got an aftermarket X I'm thinking of keeping the stock cats to save $. I'm not trying to double the cost of an exhaust system if I don't need to.

I guess my other option is, get the whole bolt up header->muffler deal and sell off the current X. Is it a big deal to get, for example, TPIS's and have them fit to the existing exhaust? I know it requires cutting/welding, but is it pretty simple for a competent shop or am I asking for trouble? From what I've read, the stock cats aren't that bad? I'm not gonna lose sleep over 5 hp.

TIA all!

-Rich

 

Hey there Rich...

Being the owner of a very popular corvette shop here in the northeast, I cen tell you...HANDS DOWN, The LG PRO LONG TUBES are the only way to go....They are first rate quality manufactured of stainless by BORLA for LG... They are a snap to install...The fit and finish is perfect. No ugly leaky flanges.....First class customer support...And...from a tuning standpoint, they just simply flow way more air.....Airflow is Horsepower....

I have worked with every brand available, and I would never sell anything but the best....LG PRO LONG TUBES...WORTH THE MONEY. DON'T BUY JUNK! Call me if you have questions....

Hope this helps,
Chuck CoW

 

With the LG Streets, you can't use the stock cats. However, I believe you can buy their headers, with cats, minus the x-pipe for around $1000 plus shipping. BTW, they are polished SS and look GOOD! I haven't seen any significant heat issues, just be sure to watch wires for contact during the installation.

 

I won't recommend a header system since this will, like all other threads, turn into a cheerleading session. I will say your concerns about heat from stainless are probably unfounded. Personally, I would stick to a stainless system and not worry about coating. The system you choose should be based on technical information

 

I have personally run on my car, coated Breathless, coated TPIS, uncoated KOOKS, uncoated LG Pro's. I can't tell the difference in heat between coated and uncoated. Of the KOOKS and the LG's I prefer the LG's hands down. IMHO they perform better and the install is a piece of cake. KOOKS are a PITA as the motor must be jacked up to fit them in. New player is the American racing header by the Vette Doctors, while I have no experience with them, word is they are pretty good.

 

Vette Doctors/ American Racing
No better header & great price
Check them out.

 

OK, so I'm down to LG or Vettedoctors - a couple phone calls should finish that decision off...

That said, what about the stock mid section/cats? For that matter, lets say I get headers and new cats, how hard is it to get all that connected up to the existing X pipe? Should I scrap it all, get the cat/X "kit", and sell the aftermarket X to offset the cost?

-Rich

 

Go with the full system, can't go wrong as the parts are designed to work together.

 

Agreed. I got the LG Street Series system complete and it was all slip-fit. No bending, hammering, welding, fabricating, or having to rig anything to make them work. Bolted right up to my Borla Stingers and sounds beautiful. And after 4 months the polished finish still looks great.

Shane

 

Not in your list of choices but I went w/ LG pros (SS) and had them Jet-Hot coated and an O2 bung installed in collector.

Not the cheapest way to go but in the end I think it worked out well. If you search on my username you'll get some voluminous posts about the whole experience.

I thought about it for a year before I decided which way to go.

 

Good Choice! You will be very happy with the LG's....We install alot of them here and they are just simply THE BEST! For a bunch of reasons...

Enjoy them...
Chuck CoW

 

why not keep the B&B theme and get a good deal in the process?
Not my ad, nor do I know the seller, but 2000 is year specific and these have your name written all over them (would be my name if they were for a 99!)!!!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1385039

 

Hmm I appreciate the link, but I'm not really lookin for shorties, plus the last time I bought used, I wasn't really happy with what I got.

Thanks for lookin out for a brother though!

I think I've settled on the LG streets, but the shop I go to wants to talk to me about some different options first.

-Rich

 

Where's Dynatech?

 

In the "overpriced" catagory I briefly considered them as they seem to be popular too. But from everything I've read, LG Streets are still at the top of my list. If I didn't care about $ I would probably get Belanger's.

-Rich

 

Suggest that you check out Stainless Works LTHs before you make a decision. They have a great product and excellent customer service.

 

This is the same thing I have been thinking about for the past few months. I was really looking into the texas speed ones but I dont like the fact that they are not SS. I think SS is the only way to go but I was also concerned about the heat issue with SS not being coated, but I guess the comon thought is that its not an issue as long as wires are kept away. I to wanted to keep my stock cats since they are still good and it would save me money to not replace them. That being said I did want a x pipe so does any one know the total cost of the LG set up with cats and x pipe compared to just the headers? Not trying to hyjack the thread just currious and I think you might be too vixette.

 

LG are $695 without X pipe. $995 for X and all connectors but no cats. Cats are an additional $300. I just took those $'s off the LG site today....I'm in the same boat trying to figure out stainless or coated Texas Speed.

Basically what I'm seeing is the texas speed coated steel are $649 with connectors and $579 to bolt to your stock setup (minus cats?).

The LG streets (stainless 304) are $695 or $995 with offroad pipes (no cats, connect straight to your catback).

$116 to go stainless? I think I'm going with the LG streets to my stock setup.

 

Hey Chuck, you seem to be very pleased with the LG's. Have you done any back to back comparision between them and the Kooks or the Vette Doctors headers?

 

Here's how I know.....Let's forget the quality...how good they look....how easy they are to install.....let's forget the dyno......

My tuning strategy is simply.....and it's based on airflow...Don't need a flow bench.....The pcm knows EXACTLY how much air is coming in and how much is going out and how fast also.....The LG's Flow a good measure better than all others I've had here in the shop....I tune lots of cars from all over the other place and I have had every type of intake and exhaust and headers in my place and I know how each affects airflow....(this is why I can successfully tune vehicles through the mail...) HANDS DOWN the LG's Flow the BEST....Also, I can tell you that the VARARAM products are THE BEST intake.....and although other cat back systems can flow more...the BORLA cat back systems have the BEST FLOW by far than any other system in it's class.... Obviously, a set of B&B's might flow more....but, the noise is intollerable to most of my customers....So, that being said.....

YES, the LG's FLOW MORE THAN OTHER HEADERS....and I have tested it.....

Hope this helps,
Chuck CoW