headers GOOD BAD THE UGLY
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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headers GOOD BAD THE UGLY
Friends
I am going to have a tune and headers installed later this month.Got to
thinking about the headers and wonder 1-will they devalue the cars
worth and 2-will I start having code problems and/or any new problems?
I appreciate your imput.
Road Pilot
I am going to have a tune and headers installed later this month.Got to
thinking about the headers and wonder 1-will they devalue the cars
worth and 2-will I start having code problems and/or any new problems?
I appreciate your imput.
Road Pilot
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
When you go get a tune after the header install just have the rear o2s deleted. I went through 2 sets of simulators in a year. I said screw it and got a tune. Definitely worth it. The rear o2s were the only codes i got. Gone now after the tune and some will tell you that you will not pass emissions after tunning out the rear o2s. Not true. Mine passed 
Also depends on where you live and if they do visual inspections.
Also depends on where you live and if they do visual inspections.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 12
From: Maryland Heights MO
Is the car stock? If so, don't waste money on a tune. Your added gains are going to be minimal with a tune, compared to the money you'll be spending on a tune.
You shouldn't have problems passing emissions tests. If you do have a problem a tune will fix it. It's the visual inspection where they sometimes get people.
You shouldn't have problems passing emissions tests. If you do have a problem a tune will fix it. It's the visual inspection where they sometimes get people.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
[QUOTE=STLKillerC5;1559667120]Is the car stock? If so, don't waste money on a tune. ......
You shouldn't have problems passing emissions tests. If you do have a problem a tune will fix it. ....[QUOTE]
With this logic Id just get the tune...think of it as "Optimization" of the system..but it will add what 400 bucks or so to your overalll output of $$
You shouldn't have problems passing emissions tests. If you do have a problem a tune will fix it. ....[QUOTE]
With this logic Id just get the tune...think of it as "Optimization" of the system..but it will add what 400 bucks or so to your overalll output of $$
Last edited by BitViper; Apr 4, 2007 at 10:53 AM. Reason: just cuz!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32,269
Likes: 35
From: Somewhere between mild insanity and complete psychosis
Headers won't affect the car's value. Most dealerships would be too stupid to notice f you ever traded in. The only warranty issue will be parts behind the headers, which i'm assuming none are stock anymore anyway.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 9
From: Charlotte, NC
Based on experience with headers from my LS1 '98 Camaro:
They hung lower than the rest of the car and would scrape going over some speed bumps and curbs.
They are louder, which could be good or bad.
Picked up noticeable low end torque.
If you're installing them yourself, be prepared, no exhaust fits like it is supposed to.
I had several leaks in mine, which probably wouldn't have been an issue if the connecting pieces were welded instead of clamped (FLP coated headers).
When getting out of the car, you could feel the heat pooring out from under the door.
Really cleaned up the sound of the car, increased the base and made the overall sound more 'mean'.
They hung lower than the rest of the car and would scrape going over some speed bumps and curbs.
They are louder, which could be good or bad.
Picked up noticeable low end torque.
If you're installing them yourself, be prepared, no exhaust fits like it is supposed to.
I had several leaks in mine, which probably wouldn't have been an issue if the connecting pieces were welded instead of clamped (FLP coated headers).
When getting out of the car, you could feel the heat pooring out from under the door.
Really cleaned up the sound of the car, increased the base and made the overall sound more 'mean'.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
When you go get a tune after the header install just have the rear o2s deleted. I went through 2 sets of simulators in a year. I said screw it and got a tune. Definitely worth it. The rear o2s were the only codes i got. Gone now after the tune and some will tell you that you will not pass emissions after tunning out the rear o2s. Not true. Mine passed Also depends on where you live and if they do visual inspections.
Also depends on where you live and if they do visual inspections.
and a lot depends on your state emissions regulations, every state may be different. In IL, they plug into your computer (OBDII), so long as you have no codes present, you pass, there is no visual inspection. So in IL, we just have the rear O2's shut off by a professional tuner, and wala, issue solved. Any of these brand headers are a good choice: LG, Dynatech Supermaxx, Kooks, American Racing. If you are planning on future mods to the car after the headers, I would wait on getting a tune, as you willl have to re-tune again for the new mods...otherwise to take full advantage of the headers a tune is a good idea.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Based on experience with headers from my LS1 '98 Camaro:
They hung lower than the rest of the car and would scrape going over some speed bumps and curbs.
They are louder, which could be good or bad.
Picked up noticeable low end torque.
If you're installing them yourself, be prepared, no exhaust fits like it is supposed to.
I had several leaks in mine, which probably wouldn't have been an issue if the connecting pieces were welded instead of clamped (FLP coated headers).
When getting out of the car, you could feel the heat pooring out from under the door.
Really cleaned up the sound of the car, increased the base and made the overall sound more 'mean'.
They hung lower than the rest of the car and would scrape going over some speed bumps and curbs.
They are louder, which could be good or bad.
Picked up noticeable low end torque.
If you're installing them yourself, be prepared, no exhaust fits like it is supposed to.
I had several leaks in mine, which probably wouldn't have been an issue if the connecting pieces were welded instead of clamped (FLP coated headers).
When getting out of the car, you could feel the heat pooring out from under the door.
Really cleaned up the sound of the car, increased the base and made the overall sound more 'mean'.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
yes, but its more for a better running engine. The factory tune tends to lean out after installing headers. Plus the stock tune is way too conservative.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
i would definitely get a tune after headers and an intake. Not only did it liven the car up even more then headers alone, i also get 2-3mpg better avgs and the codes are gone.
Now if you plan on doing more mods in the near near future, then I would wait. If these are the only things you are going to do for awhile, then a tune afterwards is worth it.
Now if you plan on doing more mods in the near near future, then I would wait. If these are the only things you are going to do for awhile, then a tune afterwards is worth it.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Chesterfield, MO
i would definitely get a tune after headers and an intake. Not only did it liven the car up even more then headers alone, i also get 2-3mpg better avgs and the codes are gone.
Now if you plan on doing more mods in the near near future, then I would wait. If these are the only things you are going to do for awhile, then a tune afterwards is worth it.
Now if you plan on doing more mods in the near near future, then I would wait. If these are the only things you are going to do for awhile, then a tune afterwards is worth it.
Also, sometimes you can do the tune and then if you further mod the vehicle and some tuners will give you a deep discount on a follow up tune. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
headers Good Bad and UGLY
Forum Members
Many thanks to all who responded to my questions concerning tune
and headers. I'm not a green pea; just ol' school and computers in cars
has meant that I am in a learning curve( as far as mods are concerned)
thanks again----Road Pilot
Many thanks to all who responded to my questions concerning tune
and headers. I'm not a green pea; just ol' school and computers in cars
has meant that I am in a learning curve( as far as mods are concerned)
thanks again----Road Pilot
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
FWIW On the rear O2s. I added bungs to my Highflow Cats, which I have bolted right unto my Header collectors, zero codes and no short lived sims to worry about.
FYI Some third party testing showed no significant HP loss with Highflow Cats...
FYI Some third party testing showed no significant HP loss with Highflow Cats...
