I have noticed a lot of people having headers. Does this mod really make a noticable difference? If anyone has some before and after times or dyno #, please let me know. I have an 04 Z06 with exhaust, hi-flow cats, CAI, and a Tune, so I was thinking about more stuff that is "bang for the buck". Thanks!

 

I got 38 rwhp out of my Kooks long tubes and off road x-pipe with a mild tune.

 

My 02 ZO6 with Stainless Works headers, 3" exhaust with High flow Cats and an X pipe, VARARAM, Ported Throttle Body and a tune dynoed at 385 HP 375 Tq

A stock Z rates 365 HP.

So 25-35 Hp is NOT out of the question

Headers are a BASIC BUILDING BLOCK for future MODs I added Patroit Stage II heads, home Ported FAST 90 Ported 90 MM TB, Whiplach Cam and now I have 450 RWHP

BC

 

Hi Bsbruton and I'm glad you asked this question as I have in the past as well. I was very hesitant to spend typically over $1500 plus dollars for headers/xpipe/? cats plus install to achieve a typically 30 hp gain. I initially decided on an A&A blower kit which gave my previously stock 99 C5 460 rwhp. Lots of grins there, however I came across a guy selling his mildly used TPIS headers for about $350 or so. I decided for that price that I'd take the jump and believe the hype about the headers and the off gassing, etc. So I had them installed by my an excellent shop who had done my inital tune plus blower setup. Dyno showed no gains immediately after install w/o adjusting the tune. I of course was disappointed and my excellent tuner saw my sad face and told me that at times he noted that for some reason certain headers didn't seem to add much. However he then adjusted the tune and increased my rwhp to 490 hp therefore reaching the typical gains advertised by most header systems.
Take it for what it's worth but personally I think dollar/hp ratio headers are overrated if buying them new. If used, then it makes it more reasonable. For seat of the pants effect, changing the differential is a great gain for many including me. Lots of opinions out there, and you'll be getting more of them shortly I am certain.

 

Brandon......the LG Street Series longtubes may be an option for you. They are a bargain compared to some of the more expensive longtube headers out there. I made 346 RWHP and 356 RWTQ on a 98 C5 with just a LS6 intake, 88 mm TB and the Street Series LG's. The car was tuned via HP Tuners as well. One of the best HP values out there for sure.

As Bill Curlee stated....it should be one of the basic building blocks if you are going to do any further mods.

 

buying LTs alone the HP gains are marginal. But in combination with CAI, LTs, high flow or no cats, 3" mid, x-pipe and free flowing exhaust with a great tune, then yes quite a bit extra HP

 

You will gain far more"seat of the pants" HP with a gear change!

 

I noted a SOTP loss in power down low when putting on my Corsa catback, but track results showed my gains up top......... will longtubes help get that low end grunt back that I lost when freeing up the catback?

 

In an word... yes!

 

AWESOME advice y'all! I thank you for the help. I may be looking to add some headers to my combo soon. I'd really like heads and a cam, but that's way more than I can afford right now.