How much louder are headers?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 1
From: Norwich CT
How much louder are headers?
I have a 01 Z06 that is stock except a GHL cat back system.
My questions is how much louder will it be if I add headers and an off road mid-pipe?
Thanks
My questions is how much louder will it be if I add headers and an off road mid-pipe?
Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The main reason for an engines exhaust note to be a LOT louder is the addition of a more aggressive cam and higher compression.
One thing that you will here more of is the sound of the exhaust valve and the initial pop of the exhaust gasses leaving the head. Its not loud but it will be a new sound that you will wonder what it is.
Your new headers will add a few more DB to mix but not a drastic amount. I have an 02 ZO6 and i have a complete stainless works system. Going from the stock Ti mufflers and manifolds, made a very nice improvement with NO DRONE. It wasn't too loud at idle and would grab your attention at WOT.
After I installed a big cam, ported heads with 11.5:1 compression, WOW,, the system got a LOT louder..
BC
One thing that you will here more of is the sound of the exhaust valve and the initial pop of the exhaust gasses leaving the head. Its not loud but it will be a new sound that you will wonder what it is.
Your new headers will add a few more DB to mix but not a drastic amount. I have an 02 ZO6 and i have a complete stainless works system. Going from the stock Ti mufflers and manifolds, made a very nice improvement with NO DRONE. It wasn't too loud at idle and would grab your attention at WOT.
After I installed a big cam, ported heads with 11.5:1 compression, WOW,, the system got a LOT louder..
BC
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 654
Likes: 1
From: chandler az
I put a catback exhaust on first and there was a pretty big difference. I added and x-pipe, headers and high flow cats. There was some difference, but it wasn't that obvious. Next was heads and cam and that was also a pretty big difference.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
i agree with bill, headers won't add a whole lot of volume by themselves... you will notice a "ticking" sound which is valve noise and is normal... the main thing that will add volume is removing the cats and the type of catback system you use... i replaced my titanium with corsa xtreme's to start and it was definitely louder than stock at wot and pretty tame at idle and while cruising with no drone... then i installed lg super pros and removed the cats... it is noticeably louder at idle, still pretty tame while cruising with no drone which is great, and anything 3k rpms and up is
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