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Old Jun 29, 2011 | 10:49 AM
  #1  
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Hey Guys,

Ok, so I got my double din out of the way and can actually hear music with the top down.

Now on to some performance mods. I have a 2003 Annv. Convertible 6 speed. I'm not going to be tracking her, this is more for fun seat of the pants thrills.

I already swapped out the stock exhaust for Ti exhaust - I love them and while the sound isn't hugely different, all I know is that now leaving the garage I set off my wife's alarm.

I plan on getting a Vararam intake and then I'm thinking LT Headers. I was looking at the LG. They have street and pro. For a casual performance junkie, is pro worth spending an extra 500 bucks?

Do these headers just bolt on? Will I have to change my cats? Is there a tube diameter that I should go with for max compatibility?

Does this sound like a decent plan of action?

Thanks,
Les
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Old Jun 29, 2011 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by ljorges
Hey Guys,

Ok, so I got my double din out of the way and can actually hear music with the top down.

Now on to some performance mods. I have a 2003 Annv. Convertible 6 speed. I'm not going to be tracking her, this is more for fun seat of the pants thrills.

I already swapped out the stock exhaust for Ti exhaust - I love them and while the sound isn't hugely different, all I know is that now leaving the garage I set off my wife's alarm.

I plan on getting a Vararam intake and then I'm thinking LT Headers. I was looking at the LG. They have street and pro. For a casual performance junkie, is pro worth spending an extra 500 bucks?

Do these headers just bolt on? Will I have to change my cats? Is there a tube diameter that I should go with for max compatibility?

Does this sound like a decent plan of action?

Thanks,
Les
Vararam is an awesome intake; definitely a good way to go. Long tube headers are another great mod and LG's are top-notch. Yes they "just bolt on" but it's not a fifteen minute job. Also, you'll need a tune after you get headers so make sure you work that into your budget. Dyno tune is best, but a mail order tune from ECS will work too. Best way to buy headers is cruising the parts for sale section of this forum for a good set of used ones... HUUUGE savings over new. Just look for a good quality set from an established member. Just FYI, your car will be quite a bit louder with LT's.

If your just looking for seat-of-the-pants improvement you should look into changing your rear gears... No actual power gain, but the perceived power gain is incredible. Makes the car a lot more fun to drive. Talk to member RKT56 or RPM transmissions about that...
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Old Jun 29, 2011 | 07:15 PM
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Is there a diameter that is the most common? I think I've seen 1 7/8???
Les
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Old Jun 29, 2011 | 10:25 PM
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1 3/4 is the most common. If your not going to do cam or heads I wouldnt go with LT's. Your only looking at probably 15-20 HP with JUST headers. I would just go with the streets if your set on LT's. They come with cats if you pay extra for them but the base price is with an offroad Xpipe that is catless.
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Old Jun 29, 2011 | 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Glen1978
1 3/4 is the most common. If your not going to do cam or heads I wouldnt go with LT's. Your only looking at probably 15-20 HP with JUST headers. I would just go with the streets if your set on LT's. They come with cats if you pay extra for them but the base price is with an offroad Xpipe that is catless.
Yeah, I don't think catless is an option for me. Why wouldn't you go with LG?

Les
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Old Jun 29, 2011 | 11:53 PM
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No you missunderstood. LG is great. I said LT as in long tube headers.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:06 AM
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Best bang for the buck would be headers. Your not going to pick up the same power with anything else for the price. You can find them in for for sale section for $500-$1000.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:11 AM
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If you just want seat of the pants then regear it. Not more power per se but it will dang sure feel like it.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:53 AM
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If you are looking at getting lgs then JW will hook you up, I just ordered the pro's from him on Monday night I believe and they will be here on Friday.
If you want to get 1 7/8 primaries then you can go with American racing or stainless works.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Glen1978
No you missunderstood. LG is great. I said LT as in long tube headers.

Opps. Misread that.
Les
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by m6 c5
If you are looking at getting lgs then JW will hook you up, I just ordered the pro's from him on Monday night I believe and they will be here on Friday.
If you want to get 1 7/8 primaries then you can go with American racing or stainless works.

Any reason that you didn't go with the street version?
Les
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:24 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Glen1978
1 3/4 is the most common. If your not going to do cam or heads I wouldnt go with LT's. Your only looking at probably 15-20 HP with JUST headers. I would just go with the streets if your set on LT's. They come with cats if you pay extra for them but the base price is with an offroad Xpipe that is catless.
Yeah, I'm not sure what I'm going to do down the road. I guess I'd like to make sure that whatever I do now keeps options available to me later on down the line.
Les
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:47 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by ljorges
Any reason that you didn't go with the street version?
Les
Well I decided that I wanted a 3 inch system which the streets dont have, given I dont have a 3 inch cat back yet but it all takes time. Another thing is that you get a better collector than the streets, and me personally there was nothing big that made me decide what I did I just know that I would regret not getting the pros later on because I wanted them.
Im hoping they come in early Friday so I can start putting them in, heck I might even throw it up on the lift before they even come in to take the factory manifolds off but thats probably not a good idea.
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Old Jun 30, 2011 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by m6 c5
Well I decided that I wanted a 3 inch system which the streets dont have, given I dont have a 3 inch cat back yet but it all takes time. Another thing is that you get a better collector than the streets, and me personally there was nothing big that made me decide what I did I just know that I would regret not getting the pros later on because I wanted them.
Im hoping they come in early Friday so I can start putting them in, heck I might even throw it up on the lift before they even come in to take the factory manifolds off but thats probably not a good idea.
Does getting the streets version limit what you can do later on? Do they make the car sound different?

Also, changing headers will still let you pass emissions, correct?

Les
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