C5 headers
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 19
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C5 headers
Would headers enhance the performance of my stock C5 Coupe? I have an open cat-back exhaust on it now. I've been told that the stock exhaust manifolds are just as good as headers.
Last edited by chipsteak; Dec 14, 2012 at 11:03 PM. Reason: The "open exhaust" term was too vague.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City Missouri
To answer your questions, the stock manifolds are actually decent for what they are, but in comparison to actual long tube headers they are restrictive. I'm assuming you're wanting some more power, and long tubes will give you that, they flow so much better. I have LG long tubes, and they were an instant power increase just by feel. You can research them if you'd like, everyone seems really happy w/ them. But there are a lot of great brands out there, just look for long tube headers.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
There are dozens of threads about it, but long tube headers will give 20ish horsepower on an engine that's close to stock. Of course you'll probably get more gains if you're F/I, cammed 427 etc., but they're dyno proven to give 20-25hp on a stock motor with good catback.
Don't waste your time with shorty headers, there is little to no evidence that they'll give you many gains.
Don't forget to get a new air filter/intake as well
Don't waste your time with shorty headers, there is little to no evidence that they'll give you many gains.
Don't forget to get a new air filter/intake as well
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Depends on where you live and how strict the "smog police" are in your county---LT's are illegal in most states---But shortys are legal everywhere--Shortys are good for only 10 RWHP or so ---Still not a bad choice if that's all you can use--LT's can make 20-30 RWHP even on a stockish no hds/cam engine---But tuning is a MUST---Without tuning I've seen some cars make little or no HP gains--
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 959
Likes: 50
From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas
The sum of these actions should yield 30-35 rwhp and about the same amount of torque. These mods will satisfy your jones for about 2 months, after which time you will once again be looking for ways to step up your car's performance.
The Lizzard
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 959
Likes: 50
From: Peters Colony Republic of Texas
Chipsteak, fill out your member profile so we can see where you live. As another responder noted, different states have different laws governing the mods you do to the powertrain on your vehicle.
Kalifornia, for example, prohibits LT headers. Other states...maybe, maybe not.
It might save you some money if you first learn what is allowable in your state before you launch into an expensive series of parts purchases, installs, tune-ups, etc.
The Lizzard
Kalifornia, for example, prohibits LT headers. Other states...maybe, maybe not.
It might save you some money if you first learn what is allowable in your state before you launch into an expensive series of parts purchases, installs, tune-ups, etc.
The Lizzard
