I notice in the last Mid America Catalog that they have C5 Headers from BBK for $500. The price is quite a bit cheaper than any other headers I've seen. Soooo, I wonder? Do they fit without cutting/mods? Do they produce approx the same HP/Torque? And will they last? For $500 I am almost tempted, but thought that I had better ask the forum gurus. What say you!!! :confused:

I would also like to know. :)

No cutting required just simple bolt on. However you won't get quite as great of gains as compared to long tubes. If you have a C5>'01 I wouldn't even bother with shorties because the gain is marginal at most compared to LT's. The +'01 manifolds flow very well! If you want direct bolt on ability for '01 and up, get the ZO6 manifolds :D

C5Noir, I'm aware that the headers should be bolt on but hear that many times some cutting, bending, or other slight mod is required to make the headers fit properly. I notice that in your sig that you have TPIS headers. Have you or someone you know tried the headers BBK makes? I have a 99 and think that if I could pickup 10 HP and do the install myself ( I have a lift) that it might not be a bad investment for $500. One other question I have is how much difference in the engine/exhaust sound is there? Thanks for responding. Any other opinions would also be appreciated.

Ron,

The fitment problems you refer to are generally associated with long tube headers. I've installed "shorty" headers on three different vehicles now including a set of JBA shorties on my 1999 Camaro SS with no problems whatsoever. To answer your other question, I noticed no appreciable change in the noise level after installation of the shorties. The fact that they don't raise the exhaust volume at all or very little is one of their selling points. The others are the fact that they don't cause clearance problems and they are a direct bolt-on replacement for your exhaust manifolds allowing you to keep your stock cats, etc intact and in their original positions. Although I have no experience with the BBKs, gains with shorty headers are usually in the 8-12 rwhp range.


[Modified by XTrooper, 7:39 AM 1/23/2002]

:yesnod:

Here's an interesting link for you :) http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=224471

Thanks for the help. Do you know if the shorty headers cause any loss of HP/Torque on the bottom end? I guess the shorty headers don't improve bottom end torque like long headers but that would be OK if I don't loose any but still pick up some on the mid/top end. Any other input from anyone would be helpful. Should I only buy Stainless Steel ceramic coated? Just looking for some helpful advice. I don't think I would want to hassle with the fit/clearance problems of the long headers. Also since I plan to install them myself, a simple remove and replace would be just fine. Anybody else have any problems with any short headers?

TTT

Torque gains are usually in the same range as the hp gains, 8 to 12. Not much, but better than nothing. I'd definitely go with the ceramic-coated if you're planning on keeping the car awhile as they'll last almost indefinitely and the coating does help to minimize underhood temps as well. I got silver ceramic-coated JBA headers for the SS and they really look great too.

Steve

Even considering the gains posted by LG for his 32" headers?