i was thinking about changing the factory exhaust system on the 97 i'm working on. it currently has a borla stinger cat back system (just the mufflers back)

this car will most likely be a daily driver and see very little track time, i just like the extra power

the only other engine mods i have planned are an intake upgrade.

what x-pipe/cat/header setup do you reccomend?
also what does professional install of headers usually run?

 

WOW!!

There are 100,327,246 (give or take a few) post on this very subject!!!!
Be prepared to receive 5243 replays on this post. There all going to tell you that XXX brand header is best! It is going to get CONFUSING!

Here is the low down quick and dirty! Get a Stainless Steel header with a quality set of high flow CATS. I recommend an X pipe. You have a 97 so you will need to get a header that will bolt up to your A.I.R. connection on the passengers side. (the connection on early C5's is different than late C5's )

There are headers with slip joint connections and some with flange connections. Some use a ball/socket type of connection at the header collector.

Some headers make a few more HP/TQ than others but they cost a LOT more money. There are headers on E-Bay that you can get for $300-$400 that work.

Here is the link: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ht=Ebay+Header


I have Stainless Works headers and 3" exhaust system on my 02 Z06 and like them VERY much. They are very high quality, make very good power, fit excellent and sound superb. I also used Random Technologies High Flow CATS. They are slip joint headers and some people dont like them cause they dont seal up all the time. I use double bolt band clamps and have never had a problem getting them to seal!

I will add pictures later.

BC

 

If I had to do it all over again, this is the header set up that I would purchase for my 02 Z06!!!!!

Check out this link!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1484439

If I dont get an APA duel turbo for my C6, this is the header set up Im going to get!!

BC

 

Bill knows his shiznit, that is for sure!

I saw a set of the American racing headers in person and they definitely had a great fit and finish. I bought my LG Street's back when they were the cheapest stainless option out there but now the prices have come down and the AR are pretty close to the LG's but they have ball and socket joints and a little more attention to detail.

Both work fine and probably produce within 2hp of each other, but if you care about detail, the AR are a bit nicer.

 

I have the LG pros, and if I were to buy today, I'd get a setup that included some kind of bolt-up between collecters, and mid-pipe. I've had to lower/remove my system a couple of times, and the slip-fits are a PITA. The LGs are a great header, though.

 

wow, there are atleast three huge websites with this question answered about once a day and even a dedicated website for what almost every system out there sounds like with video/sound clips and people will still start a new thread without searching first.