S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed!
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S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed!
Hi Folks,
I'm a couple of weeks out from an appointment at LPE for a S/C install on my '02 Z06. I want to upgrade to a good set of headers and an X-Pipe at the same time the S/C install is done. (Looking to maximize performance.)
I really like my stock titanium Z06 exhaust and plan to keep it on my car.
LPE sells their own brand of header (Stainless Steel, Long Tube, 1 3/4", custom made for LPE by B&B) and they offer inside and out jet ceramic hot coat as an extra $ option.
I think they also sell a 1 7/8" long tube headers - but they run quite a bit more.
Currently, I'm leaning towards LPE's 1 3/4" long tubes with the full ceramic jet coat and a Corsa X-Pipe.
Would I be any better off going with Belangers, TTS, TPIS, or Xtreme's FLP package?
On a related note, would the "Vette Koolsox" that Xtreme Motorsports sells be a good idea for the plug wires since I'm having headers installed, or is it overkill? http://www.xmotorsports.com/electrical/
Finally, should I bother upgrading my spark plug wires to MSD's and/or get NGK TR6 plugs?
Ok, sorry about all the extra questions! Any advice would be much appreciated! :) Thanks!
[Modified by Johnno, 6:04 PM 6/4/2002]
I'm a couple of weeks out from an appointment at LPE for a S/C install on my '02 Z06. I want to upgrade to a good set of headers and an X-Pipe at the same time the S/C install is done. (Looking to maximize performance.)
I really like my stock titanium Z06 exhaust and plan to keep it on my car.
LPE sells their own brand of header (Stainless Steel, Long Tube, 1 3/4", custom made for LPE by B&B) and they offer inside and out jet ceramic hot coat as an extra $ option.
I think they also sell a 1 7/8" long tube headers - but they run quite a bit more.
Currently, I'm leaning towards LPE's 1 3/4" long tubes with the full ceramic jet coat and a Corsa X-Pipe.
Would I be any better off going with Belangers, TTS, TPIS, or Xtreme's FLP package?
On a related note, would the "Vette Koolsox" that Xtreme Motorsports sells be a good idea for the plug wires since I'm having headers installed, or is it overkill? http://www.xmotorsports.com/electrical/
Finally, should I bother upgrading my spark plug wires to MSD's and/or get NGK TR6 plugs?
Ok, sorry about all the extra questions! Any advice would be much appreciated! :) Thanks!
[Modified by Johnno, 6:04 PM 6/4/2002]
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Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (Johnno)
Here are my 2 cents. Buy a set of headers from http://www.stainlessworks.net and have them put in. They make many of the headers for well known aftermarket tuners (hint) yet at 2/3 of the cost. 1 3/4 " primaries and full 304L stainless construction for less than $1K.
They don't coat their headers but if you really wanted them coated then don't do Jet Hot. Go with http://www.swaintech.com. They utilize a true ceramic coating. They only coat the outside though. They cannot properly coat the inside, actually no one can , not even Jet Hott. While they may look good when you get them back the reality of it is they cannot properly prepare the surface inside all the tubes and bends. It will come off in time but you'll never see that happen as it's inside. Swaintech is a true ceramic coating and have done ceramic projects for Earnhardt and NASA so should be good enough for you.
Still the bottom line is that stainless headers don't benefit as much as mild steel headers from coatings. one because they hold more heat than mild stel and two because they don't require the corrosion resistance mild steel headers require.
I hope this helps and I posted a pic of my headers.
Joe
They don't coat their headers but if you really wanted them coated then don't do Jet Hot. Go with http://www.swaintech.com. They utilize a true ceramic coating. They only coat the outside though. They cannot properly coat the inside, actually no one can , not even Jet Hott. While they may look good when you get them back the reality of it is they cannot properly prepare the surface inside all the tubes and bends. It will come off in time but you'll never see that happen as it's inside. Swaintech is a true ceramic coating and have done ceramic projects for Earnhardt and NASA so should be good enough for you.
Still the bottom line is that stainless headers don't benefit as much as mild steel headers from coatings. one because they hold more heat than mild stel and two because they don't require the corrosion resistance mild steel headers require.
I hope this helps and I posted a pic of my headers.
Joe
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Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (CRUZMISL)
Thanks for the feedback Joe!
I really want to get the exhaust done at the same time the S/C goes in. I'm not so sure I could get the headers from stainlessworks, have them sent to swaintech for coating and then get them back in time for LPE to have them installed along with the S/C. Also, the price they quote for their headers doesn't include any mounting hardware or shipping costs. Once the shipping costs (twice) plus the coating costs get added in, it places them very close in price (within a couple hundred) of LPE's price. While I don't doubt they are good headers, is there any real performance advantage over LPE's? I would expect them to be nearly identical as far as performance goes judging on what they look like - both 1 3/4" and stainless steel.
If I had a bit more time, I might have gone this route... but I'd have to get a hold of a set and have them to LPE within 10 days, which would be cutting it pretty close.
I really want to get the exhaust done at the same time the S/C goes in. I'm not so sure I could get the headers from stainlessworks, have them sent to swaintech for coating and then get them back in time for LPE to have them installed along with the S/C. Also, the price they quote for their headers doesn't include any mounting hardware or shipping costs. Once the shipping costs (twice) plus the coating costs get added in, it places them very close in price (within a couple hundred) of LPE's price. While I don't doubt they are good headers, is there any real performance advantage over LPE's? I would expect them to be nearly identical as far as performance goes judging on what they look like - both 1 3/4" and stainless steel.
If I had a bit more time, I might have gone this route... but I'd have to get a hold of a set and have them to LPE within 10 days, which would be cutting it pretty close.
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Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (Johnno)
Well, since the SC install takes 3 weeks you may have a bit more time. You don't have to have them coated though. Also they don't use Swaintech either so that is another issue. Stainless may be able to get a set built for you pronto and Swaintech has a rush turnaround of less than a week. Give Al a call at Stainless and see what he can do for you. My shipping for my headers was $15via UPS ground. TRansit time for UPS ground is only 1 day from stainless to LPE or 1 day from stainless to Swain, then 2 days to LPE.....just a thought...
I have a link about header coatings at work. I'll post it when I get there.
Joe
I have a link about header coatings at work. I'll post it when I get there.
Joe
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Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (CRUZMISL)
Hi CRUZMISL,
Thanks again for the tips/info! I've decided to still go with LPE's long tube headers - LPE's price is a bit more, BUT it includes installation at the time of the S/C install, which REALLY brings their price in line with what the Stainlessworks headers go for.
I talked with LPE today and they are also going to send my headers to Swaintech for their coating! :cheers: I'm not sure if LPE has used Swaintech before - I had to give them their address/tel and then they checked into it and gave me a call back and told me that having them do the coating was no problem at all! :) I realize that coating them probably isn't going to buy me alot, but I figure it can't hurt. If anything, it'll keep the temps under the hood down a bit and help limit radiated heat. Their coating is a true ceramic layer like you said - much thicker than others and more effective at blocking heat.
As to LPE's headers, they are also 304 Stainless, long tubes, 1 3/4", with extra thick flanges to prevent cracking/leaks. I doubt there would be any performance differences between them and the StainlessWorks long tubes.
Thanks again for the tips/info! I've decided to still go with LPE's long tube headers - LPE's price is a bit more, BUT it includes installation at the time of the S/C install, which REALLY brings their price in line with what the Stainlessworks headers go for.
I talked with LPE today and they are also going to send my headers to Swaintech for their coating! :cheers: I'm not sure if LPE has used Swaintech before - I had to give them their address/tel and then they checked into it and gave me a call back and told me that having them do the coating was no problem at all! :) I realize that coating them probably isn't going to buy me alot, but I figure it can't hurt. If anything, it'll keep the temps under the hood down a bit and help limit radiated heat. Their coating is a true ceramic layer like you said - much thicker than others and more effective at blocking heat.
As to LPE's headers, they are also 304 Stainless, long tubes, 1 3/4", with extra thick flanges to prevent cracking/leaks. I doubt there would be any performance differences between them and the StainlessWorks long tubes.
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Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (C5North)
Hey buddy, I still think you should send my car to LPE in place of yours...... :yesnod:
Seriously, can't wait for a courtesy ride in that beast John. :yesnod: :eek:
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From: HOPE is the first step on the road to disappointment.
Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (Stingray1967)
No way dude. MY CAR!!! :smash: :smash:
Ya know, I don't think he will take either of us up on our offer. That selfish BASTARD!!! :jester :D
Ya know, I don't think he will take either of us up on our offer. That selfish BASTARD!!! :jester :D
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Re: S/C Install eminent - Header advice needed! (CRUZMISL)
Joe, looks like they just make one kind of header for the C5. Do they sell other types for the C5 not on thier site. In particular, do they sell a tuned length header like the LG motorsport headers? What about merged racing collectors and such.
thanks
thanks
