C5Joe559

Ok so here's the deal. My friend has a 1999 Chevrolet Corvette and I have 2 Corvettes at the moment (2000 and 2003). The 2003 I'm keeping as stock as possible but the 2000 is going under the knife this summer. Anyways he's selling his TPIS headers, but I'm nervous to know whether these would fit my car. I've been on google all day and most places seem to advertise that the TPIS headers fit all 1997-2004 Corvettes. But I've also read various topics saying that the automatic transmission gets in the way or that there were changes to the Corvette at certain years. I really want these, but he lives in Florida and I'm in California. Would hate to buy these just to find out they don't fit. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

AU N EGL

dont think LTs will pass CAFE standards in Calif.

Y2Kvert4me

Transmission is in the rear of the car, nothing ado with header fitment.

Concerning header fitment, they are usually made in 2 flavors, 97-00 years, and 01-04 years. The only differences between the two are the pass side AIR tube flange location, and dipstick mounting, both of which changed in 2001.

If you are buying headers that fit a 99, and your car is a 2000, then they should be a direct swap and fit fine, no problem.

Y2Kvert4me

CAFE = Corporate Average Fuel Economy. This is a standard set by the EPA for Automakers to insure they are building fuel-efficient vehicles.

You are probably thinking of CARB - California Air Research Board, which sets the emissions standards for vehicles registered in CA.

AU N EGL

doh

Right CARB

C5Joe559

No headers in California pass smog. At least that's what I've been told. They may pass the sniffer test, but will never pass the visual. My car just went through this test so my re-test isn't for another 2 years.

I don't get the transmission thing. I know it's in the rear, but thought I heard somewhere that the 6 speed and Auto vary in regards to clearance. Meh, I don't know...lol.

Thanks Y2K for the help!

AU N EGL what are you, a cop? LOL jk jk.

C5Joe559

My friend is saying that I might have to lengthen some air tube. How hard is that to do? I've never had aftermarket headers so I don't know what he's talking about. I wouldn't be asking soo many questions if I wasn't serious, he's just giving me a hell of a deal. LOL.

tstar

You probably read about clearence issues with the Auto Tranny's cooling lines, you'll have to see where they are running in relation to how the Headers sit in the engine bay. Are the Headers still installed?

I lengthened my passenger side AIR tube with a hunk of rubber hose, I did it right where it comes from behind the valve cover and you can't see it at all. I used a Dremel to cut the pipe...

C5Joe559

He just took his headers off. He only had them on for about 6 months. I sure hope there's only 2 "flavors" to these headers...lol. Even if I need the extensions, at least it's something that can be done. That's what I was worried about.

TN Vette

I am picking up a complete exhaust from a 03 Z06 with TPIS headers, etc and am not sure if I want to defeat the AIR system yet. I am thinking about buying an 01-04 AIR tube to make it look factory.

Anyone else try this or know if it will bolt up?

C5Joe559

I have no clue, but wouldn't see why it wouldn't. Like you said just get the right air tubes and you should be good to go.

C5Joe559

Well here are some pictures. Can anyone tell what year these will fit just by looking at the air holes?







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tstar

97 - 00 Direct bolt up. Later model C5s would need to bend the AIR tube to move it back towards the rear of the engine... Or install an early C5 AIR tube or remove the whole AIR system and have it tuned out.

Those are some strange looking AIR flanges too!

Tim

PS Any obvious marks where they have been rubbing on the frame or anything??

C5Joe559

He didn't mention any marks. I bought these off him for $100. Hopefully it was a good buy.

Another stupid question. Do these connect to my cat? Or do I need to buy an x-pipe or anything?

tstar

I'm not overly familiar with TPIS but those certainly come very close to the area that the stock Cats are in. Here's a shot of the stock system, look at where the bellhousing bolt mounts are in relation to yours on the TPIS to give you an idea of how close to the Cats they'll be;



it'll be close... the pipes leading into the Cats are double walled too, so some fancy fabrication/welding may be called for if you don't use an X Pipe that mates up to them corretly.

HTH

Tim
PS I thought the Smog ***** had you Cali guys locked out of LTs???

81c3

I have TPIS headers on my 02 Z06. I used an X pipe. You got a good deal on those headers. I paid $700. for my headers, X pipe & hi-flow cats (used)


** and yea, how are you getting away with headers in Communist Kalifornia?**

C5Joe559

Thanks guys I really appreciate the feedback. Well in California we have to go through a smog test every other year. I just did mine in March, so I don't have to do it again for another 2 years. There's 2 tests that take place. A "sniffer" test to see how much pollution you're putting out and a "visual" test to make sure everything is street legal. I'm pretty sure the car will still pass the sniffer, and I have friends who have a smog shop that really don't give 2 sh*ts about the visual. As long as the car isn't a mass polluter they said they can sleep well at night. Either way I have 2 years to figure it out.

Can anyone recommend a direct fix X Pipe? I found a brand new Borla one for $233 that sounds like a steal. Funny thing is I'm probably going to be paying more for the x-pipe than I did the actuall headers...lol.

MGorman

When new they come with a very short “H” pipe adaptor. You have to cut the stock pipes just in front of the main cats and the adaptor goes between the headers and the cats. It’s probably 3”- 4” long. You’re probably better off buying a full x-pipe and cats so you can swap back to stock if need be for emissions inspection.

If you want the TPIS “H” pipe I have one that I never used. You can have it if you decide to go that route.

C5Joe559

I really really appreciate the offer MGorman, but I think I want to try to find an x-pipe that wouldn't require any cutting/welding. I really don't need cats since I only drive this car on the weekends. Can anyone recommend an x-pipe that would go from the end of these headers to my Z06 TI exhaust? Thanks again M, that's really nice of you!

81c3

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