Looking for header opinions
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 5
From: MN
Looking for header opinions
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 5
From: San Diego CA
magnaflow is a good catback ( a lil on the heavy side) you could get a Z06 Ti catback much cheaper and it flows just as well most would say. Headers I have the xspower long tubes with the catted xpipe they are nice looking with a nice price and they do have the AIR fittings
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Best way to put it. I have the old XSPower headers and X-pipe on mine(3 years and still going). I got them off that site people dont like to talk about on here. No problems with putting them on and they still look great. The money I saved bought me my CAI, ported TB, and B&M shifter. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I'm running the Dynatech system. Well built fairly simple install. Bought it used on the for sale section. Woke the car up a little bit more.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,425
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
From their website:
ATTENTION: Corvette Enthusiast
Once again ARH products have been copied. This time it’s our C5 system. We’ve included a link with photo’s (below) to show you just how blatantly obvious it is. These knock offs are 100% Made In China using inferior quality materials that will (over time) crack. Their sales pitch claims they’re made in the US but don’t buy the lie. You’ll notice these pictures circulating on various Corvette websites. We respectfully request that anyone who’s in the market for C5 headers call us and ask us what the real difference is between ARH and these inferior Chinese knock offs
http://www.americanracingheaders.com/
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
Hmmm....ARH seems to feel differently.......
From their website:
ATTENTION: Corvette Enthusiast
Once again ARH products have been copied. This time it’s our C5 system. We’ve included a link with photo’s (below) to show you just how blatantly obvious it is. These knock offs are 100% Made In China using inferior quality materials that will (over time) crack. Their sales pitch claims they’re made in the US but don’t buy the lie. You’ll notice these pictures circulating on various Corvette websites. We respectfully request that anyone who’s in the market for C5 headers call us and ask us what the real difference is between ARH and these inferior Chinese knock offs
http://www.americanracingheaders.com/
From their website:
ATTENTION: Corvette Enthusiast
Once again ARH products have been copied. This time it’s our C5 system. We’ve included a link with photo’s (below) to show you just how blatantly obvious it is. These knock offs are 100% Made In China using inferior quality materials that will (over time) crack. Their sales pitch claims they’re made in the US but don’t buy the lie. You’ll notice these pictures circulating on various Corvette websites. We respectfully request that anyone who’s in the market for C5 headers call us and ask us what the real difference is between ARH and these inferior Chinese knock offs
http://www.americanracingheaders.com/
Hmmm and if you call XS they say different it's a he said she said. I really don't care, all I know is I'm not getting bent over in price for some bent metal.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Hmmm....ARH seems to feel differently.......
From their website:
ATTENTION: Corvette Enthusiast
Once again ARH products have been copied. This time it’s our C5 system. We’ve included a link with photo’s (below) to show you just how blatantly obvious it is. These knock offs are 100% Made In China using inferior quality materials that will (over time) crack. Their sales pitch claims they’re made in the US but don’t buy the lie. You’ll notice these pictures circulating on various Corvette websites. We respectfully request that anyone who’s in the market for C5 headers call us and ask us what the real difference is between ARH and these inferior Chinese knock offs
http://www.americanracingheaders.com/
From their website:
ATTENTION: Corvette Enthusiast
Once again ARH products have been copied. This time it’s our C5 system. We’ve included a link with photo’s (below) to show you just how blatantly obvious it is. These knock offs are 100% Made In China using inferior quality materials that will (over time) crack. Their sales pitch claims they’re made in the US but don’t buy the lie. You’ll notice these pictures circulating on various Corvette websites. We respectfully request that anyone who’s in the market for C5 headers call us and ask us what the real difference is between ARH and these inferior Chinese knock offs
http://www.americanracingheaders.com/
Interesting in that during a recent visit to my tuner he mentioned they have been seeing cars with cracked pipes from parts made overseas that can't be repaired so in the end you buy twice.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 122
From: Vetteville Tennessee
call it what you want...but if all things are created equal...(material used, craftsmanship, fitment)... the real answer in headers is the collector. More to it than just bending tubes!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
On my home made ramp system, back in 04, I installed LG ,long tube Pro's , X pipe through stock Ti c/back. No problems over these years. Stock motor dyno's @ 389.9 RWHP,Mustang Dyno. 11.9 sec et. in the 1/4 mi, w/3:42 rear diff. Good luck w/your choice.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,425
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
I suppose you're right, when some offshore company copies a header that was designed in the U.S. , it just becomes nothing more than "bent metal". The original designer absorbs all the cost related to R&D, materials/structural evaluation, and subsequent testing. The offshore company duplicates the design(using whatever materials), and can produce similar(if not the same performance results)..again, capitalizing on the original testing from the original designer.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
I wonder why when it comes to corvette headers, they are always more expensive. The company came make a header for another GM vehicle and it's cheaper. I guess corvette headers require a ton more R&D for their headers...
Actually, seems to be a trend. For example, borla stingers for a mustang cobra and borla stingers for a corvette. Big price gap. I guess corvette exhausts take a ton more R&D.
Or, I suppose, we could be getting the shaft. I think the main reason the big companies are getting mad is because they may actually had to produce a normal competitive price if they want to keep their sales up. I could be wrong, but it seems that they feel they should charge a premium just because a corvette owner must have money.
Actually, seems to be a trend. For example, borla stingers for a mustang cobra and borla stingers for a corvette. Big price gap. I guess corvette exhausts take a ton more R&D.
Or, I suppose, we could be getting the shaft. I think the main reason the big companies are getting mad is because they may actually had to produce a normal competitive price if they want to keep their sales up. I could be wrong, but it seems that they feel they should charge a premium just because a corvette owner must have money.
