And yes, do it.
LT Headers, yes or no??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
LT Headers, yes or no??
I know this has been debated over and over again but wanted to get some thoughts on whether LT headers would really be worth it for my 01 Coupe.
Here's the bottom line. Heads and cam work are not in my plans at all. Car currently has a blackwing intake and i will be installing a set of Z06 Ti mufflers. The intake was on the car when i bought it and i just like the sound of the Z06 mufflers and was able to pick them up for $150 locally. Also have a Predator programmer that i am purchasing from a forum member. This will be the extent of HP modifications for me.
For a guy that is never going to see a track or run a 1/4 mile, do LT's really give a lot of benefit? Im not debating that they will make more power, just curious if that power is worth it knowing i will never line it up anywhere and race. Right now i am thinking i will pass but wanted to see what everybody else thought.
Sorry for beating the dead horse here but i tried to make this specific to my goals, not whether headers are great or not. Thanks!!
Here's the bottom line. Heads and cam work are not in my plans at all. Car currently has a blackwing intake and i will be installing a set of Z06 Ti mufflers. The intake was on the car when i bought it and i just like the sound of the Z06 mufflers and was able to pick them up for $150 locally. Also have a Predator programmer that i am purchasing from a forum member. This will be the extent of HP modifications for me.
For a guy that is never going to see a track or run a 1/4 mile, do LT's really give a lot of benefit? Im not debating that they will make more power, just curious if that power is worth it knowing i will never line it up anywhere and race. Right now i am thinking i will pass but wanted to see what everybody else thought.
Sorry for beating the dead horse here but i tried to make this specific to my goals, not whether headers are great or not. Thanks!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Lol I hear ya. It's jut going to be a daily driver type car to enjoy. I have never been one to tear in to the engine. Just not something that interests me. Hence the reason I didn't really think headers were a good fit for me.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
If sticking with the stock cam, the LS7 manifolds are just as good of an option and retain a more factory look without the dreaded header ticking noise. Even with an aftermarket cam, they are a good option. LTs will pump the mid range torque up more than the manifolds, but the peak will be the same.
My set might be for sale soon. LS7 manifolds, LS7 high flow cats, adapted to a full 3" exhaust. The flange still bolts to the factory 2.5" catback flange.
Here is my set on a 3" xspower catback.
My set might be for sale soon. LS7 manifolds, LS7 high flow cats, adapted to a full 3" exhaust. The flange still bolts to the factory 2.5" catback flange.
Here is my set on a 3" xspower catback.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Columbia TN
Um simply put, YES! Headers will wake the LS1 up quite a bit. You'll love the sound coming from the Ti exhaust. If you enjoy driving the car now you will love it with headers. You don't have to go bonkers on cost either. XSPower makes a decent set of headers and the quality is good too. Not to mention they won't break the bank.
My Vette will be fairly heavily modded by Turkey Day and in the meantime I've been driving a LS2 GTO with stock exhaust. I don't like it. It's too tame and I know there is seat of the pants improvements that can be made with just headers alone.
Like the other guys here have said....you can tell yourself headers will be the end of it, but it won't be. Modding is a sickness that you enjoy.
Good luck with your decision and please post up once you put headers on. All of us will be smiling with you because we'll remember when we did it for the first time.
My Vette will be fairly heavily modded by Turkey Day and in the meantime I've been driving a LS2 GTO with stock exhaust. I don't like it. It's too tame and I know there is seat of the pants improvements that can be made with just headers alone.
Like the other guys here have said....you can tell yourself headers will be the end of it, but it won't be. Modding is a sickness that you enjoy.
Good luck with your decision and please post up once you put headers on. All of us will be smiling with you because we'll remember when we did it for the first time.
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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
Unless you have an A4 Automatic, that preditor really isnt worth the money in my opinion.
YES, headers will give you a real nice increase in power. The torque is what your are really interested in.
If it were me, I would get a set of long tubes and have the car professionally tuned. If they do a street tune, you will get better performance AND better fuel efficiency!
A buddy of mine was getting a LOT more power and 33mpg highway in a 99 FRC crusing in 6th at 65-70 mpg with a tune and headers.
YES, headers will give you a real nice increase in power. The torque is what your are really interested in.
If it were me, I would get a set of long tubes and have the car professionally tuned. If they do a street tune, you will get better performance AND better fuel efficiency!
A buddy of mine was getting a LOT more power and 33mpg highway in a 99 FRC crusing in 6th at 65-70 mpg with a tune and headers.
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
Yes, very well worth the money. One of the biggest things you can do to increase the torque on the car as well as pick up a bit of fuel mileage (at least highway).
If you are interested in any of our headers, I would suggest looking at our Street Series given you don't plan on many more mods later on down the road.
Be sure to ask for the CF discount!
By the way, excellent deal and choice on the stock Ti system!
If you are interested in any of our headers, I would suggest looking at our Street Series given you don't plan on many more mods later on down the road.
Be sure to ask for the CF discount!
By the way, excellent deal and choice on the stock Ti system!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
Long tubes may give you more heat in the passenger compartment console area due to the larger surface area of having 4 hot tubes of exhaust running through the front of the drive tunnel.
Try adding 3 degrees of advance across the board with the Predator tuner for a crisper throttle response.
Try adding 3 degrees of advance across the board with the Predator tuner for a crisper throttle response.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Oct 29, 2013 at 04:38 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
I know this has been debated over and over again but wanted to get some thoughts on whether LT headers would really be worth it for my 01 Coupe.
Here's the bottom line. Heads and cam work are not in my plans at all. Car currently has a blackwing intake and i will be installing a set of Z06 Ti mufflers. The intake was on the car when i bought it and i just like the sound of the Z06 mufflers and was able to pick them up for $150 locally. Also have a Predator programmer that i am purchasing from a forum member. This will be the extent of HP modifications for me.
For a guy that is never going to see a track or run a 1/4 mile, do LT's really give a lot of benefit? Im not debating that they will make more power, just curious if that power is worth it knowing i will never line it up anywhere and race. Right now i am thinking i will pass but wanted to see what everybody else thought.
Sorry for beating the dead horse here but i tried to make this specific to my goals, not whether headers are great or not. Thanks!!
Here's the bottom line. Heads and cam work are not in my plans at all. Car currently has a blackwing intake and i will be installing a set of Z06 Ti mufflers. The intake was on the car when i bought it and i just like the sound of the Z06 mufflers and was able to pick them up for $150 locally. Also have a Predator programmer that i am purchasing from a forum member. This will be the extent of HP modifications for me.
For a guy that is never going to see a track or run a 1/4 mile, do LT's really give a lot of benefit? Im not debating that they will make more power, just curious if that power is worth it knowing i will never line it up anywhere and race. Right now i am thinking i will pass but wanted to see what everybody else thought.
Sorry for beating the dead horse here but i tried to make this specific to my goals, not whether headers are great or not. Thanks!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 338
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Thanks for the input guys. I will give it some more thought. Agree that the extra power would be nice, just not sure if I really need it if that makes sense. Just torn on whether to overhaul the interior and audio or to go the headers route
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
You will want more I promise you. I added headers and exhaust but the extra hp didn't cut it for me. Headers are great for when you want a blower or more...and you will want more so do it. If you plan to go bigger down the road I would just start with the 1 7/8" headers and be done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
For a guy that is never going to see a track or run a 1/4 mile, do LT's really give a lot of benefit? Im not debating that they will make more power, just curious if that power is worth it knowing i will never line it up anywhere and race. Right now i am thinking i will pass but wanted to see what everybody else thought.
If you like doing a "Blast" booting the car through the gears then you will enjoy greater power.
If you're going to drive it like an appliance and hardly let it go then maybe not.
I've never raced my car but really enjoy driving it.
I put shorties in but decided not to waste money time and effort otherwise and had an A&A Vortech Supercharger installed.
I even recirculated the BOV into the filter because I didn't like hearing tshing f@rting noises on every shift.
The car has a Corsa catback and X pipe but is very quiet with stock drivability and now has an awesome stomach dropping vertigo inducing 540 rwhp and 500 ft/lb of torque.
The shorties certainly sound better when I let it go
than the stock manifolds plus the interior is no hotter.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Oct 30, 2013 at 05:10 AM.
