headers or axle back
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 491
From: Grand Forks ND
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
headers or axle back
I am going to be doing a set of Longtubes and a corsa axle back, cant afford to do both at the same time tho. So which one should I do first?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
I tend to disagree. The axle back adds nothing as far as horsepower is concerned. The headers will definitely add horsepower and you will get a nicer (louder) exhaust tone regardless of which catback you have. You do not need to retune once you get the catback.
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
I was going to sellect headers first BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, After the OP stated that he "COULDNT AFFORD TO DO BOTH" ,, I had to drop to CAT BACK system. A CAT BACK System shouldnt change the cars tune.
REASON,,, YES you should do a tune when you do headers. Will the car run with out a tune after header installation?? YES it will BUT,,, you will most likely loose some fuel efficiency (fuel Mileage) and maybe have some mild driveability issues.
Do ALL the mods that you can at one time.. Headers, CAT Back, VARARAM, Ported TB LS6 or better intake manifold, 36 lb/hr injectors and then get your tune.
BC
REASON,,, YES you should do a tune when you do headers. Will the car run with out a tune after header installation?? YES it will BUT,,, you will most likely loose some fuel efficiency (fuel Mileage) and maybe have some mild driveability issues.
Do ALL the mods that you can at one time.. Headers, CAT Back, VARARAM, Ported TB LS6 or better intake manifold, 36 lb/hr injectors and then get your tune.
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I prefer my car to be running at its best at all times . Would never do a set of LT's and run around leaning my engine out, or fouling up the valves, spark plugs, and or cats, and or sensors, with richness. A tune certainly is needed for a (good) set of headers. And if you aren't going to take advantage of the full benefits, why do it?
If one, and only one was going to be done, ya, headers no doubt. If both will be done, sorry but you'd have to be a fool to put on the headers, tune it, then change the axle back again. Tune together because it does make a difference.
. Would never do a set of LT's and run around leaning my engine out, or fouling up the valves, spark plugs, and or cats, and or sensors, with richness. A tune certainly is needed for a (good) set of headers. And if you aren't going to take advantage of the full benefits, why do it? If one, and only one was going to be done, ya, headers no doubt. If both will be done, sorry but you'd have to be a fool to put on the headers, tune it, then change the axle back again. Tune together because it does make a difference.
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 12
From: Spring Hill Florida
I took off a aftermarket cat back and put a base Corvette( non Ti ) cat back on, and with the long tube headers and off road x pipe it sounds great! NO drone, loud on acceleration and quiet at cruise. I noticed no power loss. I vote headers first!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 408
Likes: 491
From: Grand Forks ND
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The other question I had is, is there any reason I can't use a 01+ intake (such as a halltech) on my 00? From what I understand is that the maf sensor is a little smaller.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California