C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Matting headers to midpipe ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 07:33 PM
  #1  
Not4spd's Avatar
Not4spd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Default Matting headers to midpipe ?

In the process of installing BBK shorty headers on my 03 Z06. Got the headers bolted down and went underneath to mate the midpipe.

Unobservant me didn't notice the factory manifolds are a ball type:


And the shortys are flat:

So here's how they line up under the car:


Any issues with these sealing once they are tightened down?
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 07:57 PM
  #2  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

if the gasket will fit inside the recessed lip on the flange of your new headers I think you will be fine

nevermind I looked at the pics wrong... there is no lip on the midpipe for a gasket to fit onto, that lip/gasket is on the stock manifold... did they supply new gaskets?... looks like you might be able to jam an oem type gasket between the 2 pipes or you could try a new midpipe as well or have a different flange welded onto the stock midpipe... if you needed another midpipe you would think that would be mentioned by the manufacturer

Last edited by StingrayRebel; Jul 19, 2015 at 08:13 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 08:31 PM
  #3  
Not4spd's Avatar
Not4spd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Default

Originally Posted by neutron82
if the gasket will fit inside the recessed lip on the flange of your new headers I think you will be fine

nevermind I looked at the pics wrong... there is no lip on the midpipe for a gasket to fit onto, that lip/gasket is on the stock manifold... did they supply new gaskets?... looks like you might be able to jam an oem type gasket between the 2 pipes or you could try a new midpipe as well or have a different flange welded onto the stock midpipe... if you needed another midpipe you would think that would be mentioned by the manufacturer
No new gasket was supplied other than the manifold one. Looking over the directions it states to remove the donut from the factory manifolds and put them in the BBK headers. Guess I should have read the directions prior to installing. anyone know if the base C5 has a donut gasket from factory cause apparently the Z06's do not.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 08:31 PM
  #4  
Pounder's Avatar
Pounder
1/4 mile/AutoX
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
Default

They make gaskets that have a flat top with a lip to go inside the header and the bottom bevel to seal the pipe !!!
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 08:38 PM
  #5  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

look at your first pic, there is a gasket on that manifold it is just old and probably stuck on there... if that is from your car try reusing those, use a flathead screwdriver to pry them off
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 08:58 PM
  #6  
Not4spd's Avatar
Not4spd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Default

Originally Posted by neutron82
look at your first pic, there is a gasket on that manifold it is just old and probably stuck on there... if that is from your car try reusing those, use a flathead screwdriver to pry them off
God I'm a f#cking idiot.

Just realized you are in the same city as me. Do you head up to the Friday meets in Plano or meet up with NDCC on Sunday nights?

Last edited by Not4spd; Jul 19, 2015 at 09:02 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 09:00 PM
  #7  
Not4spd's Avatar
Not4spd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Default

Originally Posted by akapounder
They make gaskets that have a flat top with a lip to go inside the header and the bottom bevel to seal the pipe !!!
Thanks. I'll try reusing the old ones first. Got a part number handy by chance?
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 09:21 PM
  #8  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by Not4spd
God I'm a f#cking idiot.

Just realized you are in the same city as me. Do you head up to the Friday meets in Plano or meet up with NDCC on Sunday nights?
hey we all have our moments... no they meet up down the street from me but I've never gone
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 19, 2015 | 09:32 PM
  #9  
Not4spd's Avatar
Not4spd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Default

Originally Posted by neutron82
hey we all have our moments... no they meet up down the street from me but I've never gone
Got a good size group that meets up at Coit/190 in the Sams parking lot on Friday nights around 9:00 and goes till whenever. Swing by if you get a chance.

Lowered the midpipe and got the gaskets in. Just got to put the belt back on, reconnect battery, pray for no leaks, and it's back on the road again.

Last edited by Not4spd; Jul 19, 2015 at 09:35 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Matting headers to midpipe ?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:08 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE