OBX Headers?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
OBX Headers?
I've been toying at getting a set of headers. I know LG is the way to go, but what about OBX? I have read a bunch of posts, and a lot of people seem to run them without issues. I really don't care if I have to work a bit harder to make them fit right and tight. So once they are in and ready to go, are the gains all that different from lg's? Btw, do they come with an X-Pipe?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,356
Likes: 1,126
From: Dyer, IN
There is soo much reading on this subject, and I believe every thread has resulted in arguments/bickering, etc. Last I paid attention, it was about 50/50 like/dislike. The guys who demand quality, customer support on demand, complete kits(hardware, all gaskets, etc) ......won't buy them. The guys that don't mind "making" something work.....because they feel like they've thwarted the corvette tax....rave about them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
There is soo much reading on this subject, and I believe every thread has resulted in arguments/bickering, etc. Last I paid attention, it was about 50/50 like/dislike. The guys who demand quality, customer support on demand, complete kits(hardware, all gaskets, etc) ......won't buy them. The guys that don't mind "making" something work.....because they feel like they've thwarted the corvette tax....rave about them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Supposedly the OBX are 1.70 primaries while the LG, XS power, TSP are
1.75 so that may cost you a little. If you want good headers that drop right that are cheap just to tide you over until you get LGs, get the TSP headers. 1.75 primaries with a 3 inch X pipe for about the same price as OBX.
1.75 so that may cost you a little. If you want good headers that drop right that are cheap just to tide you over until you get LGs, get the TSP headers. 1.75 primaries with a 3 inch X pipe for about the same price as OBX.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 4
From: Dorr MI
I bought XSPower headers, but I seriously doubt there is a big power difference in any C5 long tube. There is only so much room to work with and only so much you can do with the design of them in that space.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 48
From: Nathalie VA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18
I had an OBX turbo manifold on my Honda. I had to keep getting it re-welded due to cracks (probably 9-10 times). I finally sucked it up and bought a good brand. Lessons Learned: Why do it twice? Save a little longer to get some LG's, Kooks (what I have), or ARH.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
I learned my lesson with OBX when I had a turbo eclipse. Dynoed at 350 whp at 15psi of boost. I wanted a LSD to replace the open wheel stock one. The OBX one was a knock off of a Quaife. The splines were not machined to the right size so the axles would not even go into the differential. Moral, I sent it back and spent 3 times as much for a quaife. For the same car I bought a -6 fuel rail. It was solid metal. The holes were not even drilled out to insert the injectors into it. OBX is fine for oil caps. but I wouldnt use them for anything important.
I paid 750 for a set of TSPs 6 months ago and they dropped right in and still look brand new.
I paid 750 for a set of TSPs 6 months ago and they dropped right in and still look brand new.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I'm still leaning for OBX, I would only have them for a couple years. I plan on a supercharger, torque converter, cam, intake manifold, and maybe heads. I want the swap done all at once. So i figured if I do the whole swap (including the OBX headers) and get the proper tune, would I be able to just swap to lg headers down the road without getting a re tune?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
Just get the XSPower for $150 more or so...or get used Kooks.
Why do headers twice? That is so silly. Just wait until you can afford something a little better. Newer version OBX have serious fitment issues. You may be paying more than the XSPower in the long run paying muffler shops to get them to fit right.
Why do headers twice? That is so silly. Just wait until you can afford something a little better. Newer version OBX have serious fitment issues. You may be paying more than the XSPower in the long run paying muffler shops to get them to fit right.
