Headers and horsepower question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 390
Headers and horsepower question
How much additional horsepower can I expect from stock by just adding aftermarket headers? I have a stock 2004 coupe with Borla cat-back stingers and a modified CAI already in place. I would assume the cats will need to be replaced as well for better exhaust flow.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I think you would likely see a 30-40 whp gain from stock to tuned with a set of long tube headers. Especially if its a manual trans.
Stock cars pick up 15-20 whp from a tune a lot of times. And Long tubes are worth 20+ whp usually. Even in an automatic. I had a baseline of 305whp and ended with 325 when I got my first tune. That was with a CAI and LS6 intake and axleback exhaust, no headers. You should see quite a bit more with the long tubes.
Stock cars pick up 15-20 whp from a tune a lot of times. And Long tubes are worth 20+ whp usually. Even in an automatic. I had a baseline of 305whp and ended with 325 when I got my first tune. That was with a CAI and LS6 intake and axleback exhaust, no headers. You should see quite a bit more with the long tubes.
Last edited by NukeC5; Dec 6, 2013 at 12:13 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Pfadt racing just came out with probably the best designed production headers ever made. The tri-y design scavenges best and gives the most torque of any headers you can get for these cars short of a full custom made and tuned exhaust. The others like ARH etc. are good too, but they are the old 4-2-1 design thats simply been outdone now.
Look at what people are seeing from the dyno and you'll be sold. I have a set of 1-3/4 catless on the way.
Look at what people are seeing from the dyno and you'll be sold. I have a set of 1-3/4 catless on the way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
20-30 HP/TQ with LT headers and a tune is nomal. Most brands are going to perform the same or simmilar to one another. LG, American Racing Headers (ARH), Kooks, Stainless Works, ect... all are gonig to be simmilar in fit and function. on a nearly stock motor you done need to run the larger Primaries.. 1 3/4" iirc are what you will look for. 1 7/8 will be more then you need unless you are doing heads/cam. Pfdat are sweet if you are gunna pony up the $$ for them. few guys here have them ordered, waiting to see what kind of power gains comparied to 4-1 comp headers. Tri-Y should make more TQ and smother HP in mind range.
S
S
Last edited by RedZMonte; Dec 6, 2013 at 04:03 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 1
From: Twin Falls Idaho
I didn't see much said about Kooks Headers and X-pipe which is what I was hoping for as I am thinking about Headers and X-pipe for my C-5. This leads me to ask basied on the Forum expertise which headers are the best for the money, open question I know !
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
I think you would likely see a 30-40 whp gain from stock to tuned with a set of long tube headers. Especially if its a manual trans.
Stock cars pick up 15-20 whp from a tune a lot of times. And Long tubes are worth 20+ whp usually. Even in an automatic. I had a baseline of 305whp and ended with 325 when I got my first tune. That was with a CAI and LS6 intake and axleback exhaust, no headers. You should see quite a bit more with the long tubes.
Stock cars pick up 15-20 whp from a tune a lot of times. And Long tubes are worth 20+ whp usually. Even in an automatic. I had a baseline of 305whp and ended with 325 when I got my first tune. That was with a CAI and LS6 intake and axleback exhaust, no headers. You should see quite a bit more with the long tubes.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
I have Kooks LTs and X pipe. Put down 408, 400 to the wheels. Given it's a Z06 but I still hear it's rare to break 400 with exhaust and CAI. Kooks has my vote.
BUT installing the LTs is a HUGE bitch. You will want to light your car on fire.
BUT installing the LTs is a HUGE bitch. You will want to light your car on fire.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Kooks redesigned their C5 headers about a year ago to eliminate this very thing.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Loxahatchee FL
Kooks are great, they fit well, line up great.
The install required the old way on mine as they advertised the new style when i bought mine a few months ago but sent the old. When questioned they said sorry they wouldn't be released until 3 weeks or so after Carlise.
Most importantly, I'm glad i switched from another brand to the Kooks!!
The install required the old way on mine as they advertised the new style when i bought mine a few months ago but sent the old. When questioned they said sorry they wouldn't be released until 3 weeks or so after Carlise.
Most importantly, I'm glad i switched from another brand to the Kooks!!