How much louder are headers?

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Mar 11, 2012 | 07:44 PM

skeeters65

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 1,196

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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

Mar 11, 2012 | 07:53 PM

hardcore4sure

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2007

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From: San Francisco CA

Alot

Mar 11, 2012 | 07:55 PM

tstrobl1

Racer

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 450

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From: Ladysmith Wisconsin

I went from the stock exhaust with Magnaflow axle back to XS Power longtubes and off road x pipe with the same Magnaflow axle back. A little deeper tone but not much extra volume.

Mar 11, 2012 | 10:22 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

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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..

Mar 11, 2012 | 11:03 PM

chevylad

Pro

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 654

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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.

Mar 11, 2012 | 11:45 PM

StingrayRebel

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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)

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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