Is having headers installed professionally ever a bad idea ? Will I run hotter ? Leaks or emissions issues ? Is it a better idea to just leave the stock manifolds on ?

Also, how easy is it to swap out the cats for regular pipe and go for a run ? Can this be done in the garage for fun ?

 

headers are a good thing!!!! have had them on my 2000 for about 80,000 miles - a joy!!! - American Racing are super and/ or Kooks - don't forget the x-pipe!!!

 

Only down side is your state law and smog test. I live in b.s. cali where you can do crap to your car.but theres always ways.thus i got lg headers xpipe no cats.+ 30 hp.ohh got my smog cert.last month..wohoo

 

To answer some of the questions you asked.. Yes, headers run hotter. Not too big a deal, but you can use plug wire covers to protect the wires.
Only CARB exempt shorty headers are legal in places like California. As stated, you can get away with Long tubes if you know a cool test station and can pay them to pass. Shortys are typically not considered worth it.
Changing the mid-pipe would be pysically eassy, but would not function correctly because the O2 sensors would trip a problem when you removed the cats. You would requier tuning every time you change things out. Again, not worth it.
Hope that gives you an idea about what your looking into...

 

Shorties if you need to be smog compliant-- Tune not absolutely needed --good for about 10-14 RWHP
Long tubes --best--Not smog legal though--Also a tune IS greatly reccomended--often times without a tune it will make very little or no extra HP--can be worth up to 30-35 RWHP after tuned

 

There is nothing like the sound of a corvette with headers at wide open throttle !!!! The extra rwhp is not as much as i hoped for after tune , but american racing headers give great sound. Need more noise just add some exhaust cut-outs welded in . fun fun

 

American Racing Headers on mine with hi-flow cats. No problems passing SMOG annual tests.

 

headers, High flow cats, x-pipe and good free flowing mufflers. PLUS a good CAI and a great dyno tune. ONE of the best mod combinations to any corvette.

Unless your in KALF.

 

^^^^^^^^

 

Wow, I just cannot imagine ever living in a place where a goverment can tell me what headers I can put on my car. "No Water_Walker, you cannot put AR headers on your car, drink a 32oz Coke, and will be taxed if you don't buy this insurance"...just insane. Totally and completely insane!

Oh, sorry.

Yes, headers are good.

 

classic!!!! If you want to just toy around by taking off your cats and driving around you can do this in the garage and it will be just your headers you cant swap it easily for a pipe and will sound like a NASCAR....cool for about .0005 sec.... your neighbors will love you your car temp will be the about the same and the car as it is now is susceptible to leaks as any other component. if you do it right, you reduce these chances. if you are ok with swapping stuff in your garage just install the headers your self and buy the xpipe and catback to go with it. YOU WILL NOT REGRET THIS!!

 

WTF? You cant imagine the government having to make laws because people are too inconsiderate and corporations too greedy to care for the environment? You had a very dull childhood didnt you?

 

You ought to live here, than you wouldnt say that.

 

California is getting out of line.how about the law where u cant smoke in the whole city.if your smoking in your car the windows have to be up or its a ticket.if your smoking in your own back yard and a neighbor calls cops.yep tcket..yes thats in cali. So whats next

 

No, I would still say laws are needed to keep people in check. But disagree to the extent that the laws should go to.

 

Im with you! Ron Paul supporter here, too.

 

Forgive him. He lives in Maryland. 2nd most state Government controlled with indoctrinated ppl in the county.

 

and the Voting, Political activism, the 2nd Amendment, Guns and a Revolution if needed keep the Government in check.

 

You "CAN NOT" just remove the CATs on a C5!! You have to CUT them out!

The gain that you get isnt even worth the hastle Just run the High flow cats and be happy. IF,, you are running a blower or supercharger, CAT DELETE is something to consider as the CAT become an obstruction and sometimes destroy them selves and fall apart.







If you get a COMPLETE header system, it comes with Heades, CATs and X pipe.

 

I understand where you are coming from (Wyoming), but California, especially the L.A. basin, needs the smog laws. Having my B&B shorty headers is a small price to pay for being able to breathe without having my lungs burning with every breath and my eyes watering and burning all day long.

Little kids can run on the school grounds all day long nowadays without suffering constant lung pains and having to stop and wheeze.

Oh, by the way, I love every aspect of my B&B shorties with an x-pipe, cat-backs, and a tune. Anyone in CA that can afford shorties should definitely consider them. Don't listen to all the naysayers.


Health insurance? Geez, that's kinda off topic, but it's simple math that unless everyone is forced to be in the game, pre-existing conditions prevent millions of Americans from having affordable health care. Sometimes, they can't get insurance at any price. Maybe you and I are fortunate enough to have healthy families, but we shouldn't gleefully say "tough luck pal" to those not so blessed.

The laws of adverse mortality and adverse morbidity are not up for debate ... they are simple mathmatic truths. Please do feel free to find another overall healthcare solution, but the one thing that can't be changed is the necessity for everyone to be in the game. There is no other solution to that part of the equation. Anyone who says otherwise is simply uninformed or misinformed or making a living by pushing an ultra conservative agenda regardless of the realities involved.