Looking for header opinions
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Things are alot different than they were in 2003, which is when I bought my LG Pros, with O/R X pipe. They're still in the car, and even though I've had to remove them for other mods a few times, there are now, and have never been, any leaks. I did the install on jackstands, and only had problems with the bottom flange not lining up. I've heard LG has eliminated that flange, so that's no longer an issue. I personally DON'T believe that there's a huge difference, performance wise, in different brands of long tube headers, but the quality can vary greatly. I have had a great relationship with LG over the years, and they're always available to answer questions/deal with issues, an intangible thing you cannot put a value amount on. It almost impossible to avoid buying anything made in China, but some effort should be made, because we're cutting our own throats, slowly, by buying Chinese products. They steal others designs, and pay their laborers practically nothing, so can sell dirt cheap. Are made in USA Corvette products overpriced? Of course they are, just as are most products/services that're home grown. Go get a 20 minute procedure done in a hospital/clinic, such as a MRI, and tell me THAT's a fair price. I'll shut up now, since I've veered way OT.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 8
From: Madison Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '08
I just installed Stainless Works headers on my C5 about a month ago, so far so good. In fact the shop that installed them charged me less when I picked up the car because they said the headers installed really easy and it didn't take as long as they figured.
Regarding copying designs, there is only so much room to cram 4 tubes between the engine and the frame and everything else they have to clear, they all merge into a collector, how many designs can there be...
Regarding copying designs, there is only so much room to cram 4 tubes between the engine and the frame and everything else they have to clear, they all merge into a collector, how many designs can there be...
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 39
From: North Texas
I am trying to get some opinions on what you guys have installed for headers and full exhaust that you have had good luck with. I noticed the the texas speed headers are cheap but they have no egr fitting. How big of a problem is that? The price is right on them but not if it will create another headache or instal problem.
I have also looked at going with a no cat crossover pipe and a magnaflow cat back. I figured the magnaflow will not give me much for problems as they are typically pretty good quality.
Any thoughts? This is the first vette I have worked on (its my dads car) and the install seems straigtforward for a better than average garage warrior like myself, I just have no firsthand experience with these cars or parts. Any opinions would be appreciated.
I have also looked at going with a no cat crossover pipe and a magnaflow cat back. I figured the magnaflow will not give me much for problems as they are typically pretty good quality.
Any thoughts? This is the first vette I have worked on (its my dads car) and the install seems straigtforward for a better than average garage warrior like myself, I just have no firsthand experience with these cars or parts. Any opinions would be appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: Longmont CO
We have a really nice system thats available from header to tip. Headers are available with 1-3/4" or 1-7/8" primaries.
Take a look:
http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/i...th=475_387_395
Let me know if you have any questions what so ever : )
Take a look:
http://www.stainlessworks.net/cart/i...th=475_387_395
Let me know if you have any questions what so ever : )
Best regards,
...z
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,856
Likes: 242
From: Hillsboro OR
I have been running ARH for > 4 years. No issues and still solid. The issue is the quality of the steel being used. I have heard a number of mechanics state that off-shore steel quality is questionable at best.
Time will tell.
How long before we see a flood of "My headers are cracked/leaking" posts?
Time will tell.
How long before we see a flood of "My headers are cracked/leaking" posts?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: chandler az
This stuff always makes me laugh. My first experiences in hot rodding, was in the day when nobody made exhaust stuff out of stainless and nothing fit right without putting a few extra hours into it. Then again, headers for a small block chevy could be had for about a hundred bucks and intake manifolds went for about that as well. I guess that's the price of progress.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: Longmont CO
This stuff always makes me laugh. My first experiences in hot rodding, was in the day when nobody made exhaust stuff out of stainless and nothing fit right without putting a few extra hours into it. Then again, headers for a small block chevy could be had for about a hundred bucks and intake manifolds went for about that as well. I guess that's the price of progress.
But, I grew up in a time when if "Honest Charley's" didn't have it, nobody did and you made it yourself. There was instructions around on how to cut the flanges off stock headers and make your own primaries, dumping into a 4" pipe as a collector to which you welded the stock flange to connect your exhaust pipe. Or, leave them open...
Just trying to learn a few things here, every little bit helps.
Oh, and Small Block Chevy's didn't exist... There were a few OHV V8s around, but mostly flatheads. 
Best regards,
...z
Last edited by ZeekDuff; Jul 9, 2011 at 08:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
Thanks Bill for the review! Glad everything has worked great for you thus far 
Just a quick comment on the type of material we use - Our material is basically the best 304l stainless steel that we can find and it is made here in the US. We do all of our own laser cutting in house for every single one of our flanges. Flanges are 3/8" thick 304l stainless steel.
Just a quick comment on the type of material we use - Our material is basically the best 304l stainless steel that we can find and it is made here in the US. We do all of our own laser cutting in house for every single one of our flanges. Flanges are 3/8" thick 304l stainless steel.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Chagrin Falls Ohio
We do make nice headers for the 2001-04 C5 applications.
1 7/8" fit really well and are available with either a catted lead pipe or an off-road pipe
Part No. C5LS103CATBT
Part No. C5LS103ORBT
