Thinking about Buying Headers
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 576
Likes: 56
From: Placitas, New Mexico
Thinking about Buying Headers
Hi folks. I have a 2004 Corvette coupe with 6 speed manual transmission. The previous owner installed the stock ZO6 titanium back axle exhaust system to save weight. I'm thinking about buying headers. I've been looking at LG Motorsports long-tube headers with Cats for the street. But it looks like there's a bewildering array of options out there. Short-tubes, X-pipes, long pipes.....the list goes on. What is the best option? I'm not going to be doing any drag races or "off-road" things, but am looking for performance, great sound, and fuel efficiency. Any suggestions??...........Steve Snider
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 167
From: Youngsville North Carolina
Check ot XSPower headers, forum member Superman09 sells them...
Less expensive than the name brands (get ready for the "ya get what ya pay for crowd"), I've had them on for going on 3yrs now and no complaints.
Another option is to monitor this for sale section for some used ones, usually come up all the time....
Might as well look at doing a CAI as well and then a tune...should pick ya up 30-40 rwhp...
Less expensive than the name brands (get ready for the "ya get what ya pay for crowd"), I've had them on for going on 3yrs now and no complaints.
Another option is to monitor this for sale section for some used ones, usually come up all the time....
Might as well look at doing a CAI as well and then a tune...should pick ya up 30-40 rwhp...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 576
Likes: 56
From: Placitas, New Mexico
Thanks much. I'll check it out. Please forgive my ignorance - I'm new to the Corvette world. What is a "CAI?" I'm assuming that I would have to get a tune after header installation and make sure intake airflow matches outflow....
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
If you have any specific questions on our parts, give us a ring, email, or PM any time....
Now I will say this about ours.
They are all stainless from the Street Series to the Super Pro's. They cover a full life time guarantee to the original owner. We have a number of choices to pick from as far as size and style depending on what you want to do with the car.
Now for all around use....long tubes are going to be the best bet for sound, and performance. A long tube header will make much more torque than a short tube design. Which for performance is what it is all about.
Again, feel free to hit any of us up with any questions. Always happy to help!
Now I will say this about ours.
They are all stainless from the Street Series to the Super Pro's. They cover a full life time guarantee to the original owner. We have a number of choices to pick from as far as size and style depending on what you want to do with the car.
Now for all around use....long tubes are going to be the best bet for sound, and performance. A long tube header will make much more torque than a short tube design. Which for performance is what it is all about.
Again, feel free to hit any of us up with any questions. Always happy to help!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Keep in mind if you order direct, make sure you say you are a memeber of the forum.
We have tons of dealers that offer specials on them on a daily basis as well.
We have tons of dealers that offer specials on them on a daily basis as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 906
Likes: 2
From: Cornwall ON
I know XS Power headers aren't the most expensive option out there - but they sure do the trick. I've been a happy customer since 2012 
Last edited by timmmmay; May 29, 2013 at 04:54 PM. Reason: Edited Youtube link
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Team Owner
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From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 576
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From: Placitas, New Mexico
Thanks leadfoot4 for the info. And thanks to everyone else for your input. One question - do headers significantly increase engine bay temperatures? Does it make sense to get the ceramic coatings on headers, or does it make that much of a difference?
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
Headers don't require an IMMEDIATE Re Tune but, to get the most efficiency and max power out of any Mod, it will require tuning.
Tuning is expensive. For a professional "at the shop tune", you are looking at $400-$500..
SO,,,,,, that being said.. It would be to you're advantage to add every bolt on that you can all at once and then get it tuned.
Some recommendations
- New Rocker Trunions and New Aftermarket Valve Springs ( More reliability than performance)
- New O2 Sensors if yours are high mileage Over 60K miles
- 1.8:1 Rockers
- Ported Throttle Body
- VARARAM Cold Air Intake
-2001-2004 Intake Manifold (If your car is pre 2001)
Unless you start tearing into the engine, there really isn't any more power to be had with bolt-ons.
Next round of mods would be Heads, Cam, new lifters, new push rods, new injectors, new oil pump timing chain and dampener.
Bill
Tuning is expensive. For a professional "at the shop tune", you are looking at $400-$500..
SO,,,,,, that being said.. It would be to you're advantage to add every bolt on that you can all at once and then get it tuned.
Some recommendations
- New Rocker Trunions and New Aftermarket Valve Springs ( More reliability than performance)
- New O2 Sensors if yours are high mileage Over 60K miles
- 1.8:1 Rockers
- Ported Throttle Body
- VARARAM Cold Air Intake
-2001-2004 Intake Manifold (If your car is pre 2001)
Unless you start tearing into the engine, there really isn't any more power to be had with bolt-ons.
Next round of mods would be Heads, Cam, new lifters, new push rods, new injectors, new oil pump timing chain and dampener.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; May 29, 2013 at 08:22 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Van Buren Arkansas
I put some JBA longtubes on my car, for $599 shipped I couldn't argue, helped my 99' lay down 353rwhp and 363rwtq with bolt ons only. The LG's are really nice too, but at the time I had other parts to buy and couldn't put down the cash for the LG's. Mine's mated to a catless x-pipe and titaniums as well and it sounds perfect, could be a tad bit louder but sounds great nonetheless
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 394
Likes: 58
From: lancaster MA
Bill - First, I want to say thanks for all the help that you've contributed to the forum. However, I have a question about the cold air intakes: has anyone ever done any research on the amount of particles that the aftermarket intakes allow the engine to ingest compared to the stock set-up/filters? I hear all these claims about how "free" the airflow is on, say, K&N's but doesn't "free" also imply that more dust/particles/etc. are being liberated into the engine? I've always be skeptical about these kinds of mod's, especially when the cost/hp increase is considered - exactly what is the difference between a CAI and stock set-up, hp-wise?
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
When ever I check and clean my air bridge and TB,, they are clean It must be doing something right. If its in good shape and properly oiled (if it an oiled gauze type) it shouldn't pass much if any particles.
I'm very happy with my VARARAM Green filter.
Bill
I'm very happy with my VARARAM Green filter.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
and for the LS engines, shorties don't really help much for the trouble. the stock manifolds flow almost as good, so if you're doing headers get LTs. a bit spendier than the XS, but i'm running ARH with cats & they've been awesome. and don't worry too much about a lower-priced set. the stainless LTs & y-pipe on my truck were under $300 new to my door & have been great for over 2yrs now.
as for the tune, it's okay to wait a little. i drove mine for a couple months untuned while i waited on my blower to come in. it just runs a touch leaner (meaning you can get a little better gas mileage on road trips - i averaged 31 from FL->VA & back)
as for the tune, it's okay to wait a little. i drove mine for a couple months untuned while i waited on my blower to come in. it just runs a touch leaner (meaning you can get a little better gas mileage on road trips - i averaged 31 from FL->VA & back)
Last edited by _zebra; May 31, 2013 at 12:25 AM.
