C5 Headers
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
My advice, do it, headers sound great and you can select the catback of your choice to suit the sound you like. HP gains can't hurt either. I have TIs and for me it is the perfect balance of tame on light throttle and exotic when you slam it. They are also easy to install, you can do it in a day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
What are your goals...? do you want more power, better acceleration, different sound. I would assume if you want headers that all of the above may be what you want.. they are a good way to gain 20-30 RWHP/RWTQ.. I did LS7/9 manifolds/downpipes and Hpipe because i didnt want some of the things that come with headers (heat, install issues, serviceability for other parts in the future, COST (got mine free).. ARH are awesome if you want headers. Stock manifolds are not very great for performance.
If you do headers be sure you budget for a good tune as well, makes all the difference in how it drives/performs. the Tune will also make adjustments to the Auto trans and will make the drive that much better.
S
If you do headers be sure you budget for a good tune as well, makes all the difference in how it drives/performs. the Tune will also make adjustments to the Auto trans and will make the drive that much better.
S
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 786
Likes: 46
From: Tucson, AZ
What are your goals...? do you want more power, better acceleration, different sound. I would assume if you want headers that all of the above may be what you want.. they are a good way to gain 20-30 RWHP/RWTQ.. I did LS7/9 manifolds/downpipes and Hpipe because i didnt want some of the things that come with headers (heat, install issues, serviceability for other parts in the future, COST (got mine free).. ARH are awesome if you want headers. Stock manifolds are not very great for performance.
If you do headers be sure you budget for a good tune as well, makes all the difference in how it drives/performs. the Tune will also make adjustments to the Auto trans and will make the drive that much better.
S
If you do headers be sure you budget for a good tune as well, makes all the difference in how it drives/performs. the Tune will also make adjustments to the Auto trans and will make the drive that much better.
S
Basically use LS7 manifolds, DPs, and mid-pipe and cut stock c5 mid-pipe around hanger location and reduce/weld? So hybrid mid-pipe bolted to cat-back?
I do have oil cooler block and lines above the oil filter... potential clearance issues?
They are a little hard to find at reasonable price now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
There is no benefit to LS7 exhaust over aftermarket LT's. I looked into it myself, and found them to be rather expensive because they're a bolt-on upgrade for base C6's, so a lot of people want them. You can pick these up brand new for just a hundred more or so, and you wouldn't have to do a thing to make them fit...they just bolt right in, and likely give more performance gain.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hase-sale.html
That's the route I'm going to go. Making the car breathe better is a win no matter how you look at it. I think headers are a great upgrade.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...hase-sale.html
That's the route I'm going to go. Making the car breathe better is a win no matter how you look at it. I think headers are a great upgrade.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 786
Likes: 46
From: Tucson, AZ
Yeah, I'm thinking XS also. I like the ls7 for track use (less heat) and the sleeper look with hood popped. But price is factor and you really need mannies to mid-pipe for simple install.
You could have issues with the XS though... the design maybe good, but quality/consistency is not the most steady. It would suck to be one of the unlucky ones. I will definitely go XS if I go LTs.
You could have issues with the XS though... the design maybe good, but quality/consistency is not the most steady. It would suck to be one of the unlucky ones. I will definitely go XS if I go LTs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Yeah, I'm thinking XS also. I like the ls7 for track use (less heat) and the sleeper look with hood popped. But price is factor and you really need mannies to mid-pipe for simple install.
You could have issues with the XS though... the design maybe good, but quality/consistency is not the most steady. It would suck to be one of the unlucky ones. I will definitely go XS if I go LTs.
You could have issues with the XS though... the design maybe good, but quality/consistency is not the most steady. It would suck to be one of the unlucky ones. I will definitely go XS if I go LTs.
I'm really disappointed that the LS7 exhaust is so expensive. I like it for the same reasons you do, but I just can't justify the cost.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 786
Likes: 46
From: Tucson, AZ
Really? I haven't heard a single bad thing about XS, and I've done quite a bit of research. Seems like the chances of being unlucky is extremely low, so it's worth the risk to me.
I'm really disappointed that the LS7 exhaust is so expensive. I like it for the same reasons you do, but I just can't justify the cost.
I'm really disappointed that the LS7 exhaust is so expensive. I like it for the same reasons you do, but I just can't justify the cost.
I read the long thread on the first batches and there seemed to be some variation in experiences. This is due to either vette or header tolerances... I bet the latter. The way headers are made, no 2 are exactly the same.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 905
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Here in Kali, many of us do the LS7 because of the "stealth" factor while netting hp gains that are surprisingly good compared to LT headers. A few have dynoed this setup and recorded rwhp gains that verify the benefits. If you think about it, this setup with the factory X is used in the ZR1 to produce 638 crank hp so it must flow well.
I bought an LS7 system and had it fitted to my C5 (no dyno, though). I had an x-pipe welded in place of the stock H. Here's what it looks like:
I bought an LS7 system and had it fitted to my C5 (no dyno, though). I had an x-pipe welded in place of the stock H. Here's what it looks like:
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
I went with the XS power headers. They worked well for me and I am very happy with the install, sound, and performance. The only issue was that I had to beat a dent in one of the pipes to clear the steering shaft - no big deal. I heard the new design eliminates this issue. The price is right, the only issue I have really heard is the claims they are not made in the US. I don't really care much about that since I am Canadian. 
