What is the difference between C5 Headers?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
What is the difference between C5 Headers?
It appears that there are some differences between early and later (post 99?) C5 headers, can someone make me smarter on what the differences are? I have seen some pretty good deals on used headers and would like to jump on a set, but want to make sure they will fit with little hassle.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Ok, I learned this the hard way.
97 through 99 and some early 00’s had stainless steel manifolds. You couldn’t really call them headers because of the design.
Some time in 00 the length of these changed to accommodate pups so they were a good 1- ½ shorter than the previous ones. The air tube on the passenger side was moved as was the dip stick mounting.
In 01 they were changed to cast iron, try Y headers, again a bit shorter. The air tube location stayed the same but the dip stick location changed again. That’s were they stayed until 04.
Using headers from different years usually requires the corresponding H pipe as well as the air tube. Dip stick is a MacGyver. Hope this helped.
97 through 99 and some early 00’s had stainless steel manifolds. You couldn’t really call them headers because of the design.
Some time in 00 the length of these changed to accommodate pups so they were a good 1- ½ shorter than the previous ones. The air tube on the passenger side was moved as was the dip stick mounting.
In 01 they were changed to cast iron, try Y headers, again a bit shorter. The air tube location stayed the same but the dip stick location changed again. That’s were they stayed until 04.
Using headers from different years usually requires the corresponding H pipe as well as the air tube. Dip stick is a MacGyver. Hope this helped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Please keep in mind that I was talking about stock and aftermarket shorties. With long tubes it's just the air tube switch (which does require pulling the intake manifold) and dipstck relocation. Good luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
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Ahhh, I have a '97 and it is a cast iron manifold. From what I have read the manifolds after '00 or '01 (I do not remember which) had the same manifold as the Z. My understanding is the earlier years have inferior manifolds. Maybe someone can chime in to shed some light.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Ahhh, I have a '97 and it is a cast iron manifold. From what I have read the manifolds after '00 or '01 (I do not remember which) had the same manifold as the Z. My understanding is the earlier years have inferior manifolds. Maybe someone can chime in to shed some light.
Sorry, but 97's had duel layer (with an air gap) stainless steel manifold from the factory. As I said they weren't really headers and restricted flow somewhat but they were light. In 01, All C5 and Z06 exhaust manifolds were cast iron, try-Y. Trust me.
http://www.idavette.net/facts/pre1997/ls1.htm
Last edited by Mr. C's 5; Jan 16, 2007 at 06:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
From: Bethel Township Ohio
just order a dip stick tube from an 02 car it bolts to the head and will fit any headers about $16. The AIR tube location is different if yu want to use a latter model set of headers you can order a late model AIR tube or you can block off the AIR and turn the codes off when you do your tune.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
How much should I expect to pay for an air tube?
just order a dip stick tube from an 02 car it bolts to the head and will fit any headers about $16. The AIR tube location is different if yu want to use a latter model set of headers you can order a late model AIR tube or you can block off the AIR and turn the codes off when you do your tune.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
You should get the 02 dipstick too because it is a different length than your present one which would give you a false reading. For the air tube price, give parts guy Bob at Fichtner (800-234-5284) a call. Don’t forget, you have to pull the intake manifold to get to the connection in the rear. You might consider putting a Z06 manifold and 28# injectors while you’re at it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 31
From: Rowlett, Texas
I have an early 2000, and changed to the later 2001-2004 setup.
As stated, you can MacGiver your dipstick tube, or buy a new tube and dipstick that bolts on in a different location further forward. You need both the tube and the stick - different length stick. I think the total was about $25 for both at the full retail price.
Also, the '97-'00 had the AIR tube located on cylinder #8, the later ones switched to cylinder #6 (longer tube). The replacement tube is $90 at the local dealer, or $56 thru GMpartsdirect. To put it in you MUST remove the intake manifold!!
Some guys who posted here just cut the tube and patched in a rubber hose - not good, this tube sees hot exhaust.
So, it's definitely worth it to find a header set with that AIR fitting on Cylinder #8. It will save you $80 and a manifold pull/install.
(Of course, you should add a '01-'04 intake manifold anyway).
Cheers,
DG
As stated, you can MacGiver your dipstick tube, or buy a new tube and dipstick that bolts on in a different location further forward. You need both the tube and the stick - different length stick. I think the total was about $25 for both at the full retail price.
Also, the '97-'00 had the AIR tube located on cylinder #8, the later ones switched to cylinder #6 (longer tube). The replacement tube is $90 at the local dealer, or $56 thru GMpartsdirect. To put it in you MUST remove the intake manifold!!
Some guys who posted here just cut the tube and patched in a rubber hose - not good, this tube sees hot exhaust.
So, it's definitely worth it to find a header set with that AIR fitting on Cylinder #8. It will save you $80 and a manifold pull/install.
(Of course, you should add a '01-'04 intake manifold anyway).
Cheers,
DG
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
You should get the 02 dipstick too because it is a different length than your present one which would give you a false reading. For the air tube price, give parts guy Bob at Fichtner (800-234-5284) a call. Don’t forget, you have to pull the intake manifold to get to the connection in the rear. You might consider putting a Z06 manifold and 28# injectors while you’re at it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 29
From: Berryville Virginia
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
OK I had some time today and was looking at the engine. There is a tube on the passenger side rear cylinder I assume that is the AIR tube on # 8 that folks are talking about.
On the drivers side there is some sort of connection on the second cylinder back, is that another AIR tube??? Is this connection the same on all years?
Sorry for the dorky questions & thanks!
On the drivers side there is some sort of connection on the second cylinder back, is that another AIR tube??? Is this connection the same on all years?
Sorry for the dorky questions & thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Bud,
We all had to ask questions to learn and the Forum has some very knowledgeable people. You just have to figure out who they are.
Now to your question. Yes, the 97 – 99 and some 00’s have the passenger side connection over #8. The driver’s side connection stayed in the same location for the whole model run. It’s all one tube that has another connection in the back. You’ll probably need new gaskets and maybe bolts (old ones need loc-tite) when you do it. Going with juice, huh? I guess you’ll be looking for LT’s. Have fun
We all had to ask questions to learn and the Forum has some very knowledgeable people. You just have to figure out who they are.
Now to your question. Yes, the 97 – 99 and some 00’s have the passenger side connection over #8. The driver’s side connection stayed in the same location for the whole model run. It’s all one tube that has another connection in the back. You’ll probably need new gaskets and maybe bolts (old ones need loc-tite) when you do it. Going with juice, huh? I guess you’ll be looking for LT’s. Have fun
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
No worry, I believe you but that stainless steel sure sounds alot like solid iron when I bang it with a hammer. The flanges in your picture definitely look like steel. I guess I will have to pull mine off and replace with some shorty headers just to be sure, LOL. Mr. C., in your opinion, will JBA shorties pick up any HP over the stock ones you show in the pic? Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,253
Likes: 222
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
FACT:
97-00 same (dual layer S/S)
01-04 same, LS1/6 use same cast iron manifold
1. Hpipes will not work from late to early
2. AIR tube attachment is different on pass. side as noted
3. early cars have the dipstick tube bolted to pass side manifold
97-00 same (dual layer S/S)
01-04 same, LS1/6 use same cast iron manifold
1. Hpipes will not work from late to early
2. AIR tube attachment is different on pass. side as noted
3. early cars have the dipstick tube bolted to pass side manifold
