Headers/Tune Worth It? 01 Auto
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Headers/Tune Worth It? 01 Auto
I recently picked up a MINT 2001 C5 Auto with 23k miles. I did all fluids (oil, PS, Coolant, Trans, Dif, Brake) and put on a fresh set of Micheline Pilot Super Sports. It has a recent battery as well. The car has a Corsa Exhaust, Corsa X-Pipe and Vararam.
My question: What kind of improvements will I pick up from putting on a set of long tube headers and doing a tune (mail order or otherwise)? I don't really want to sink a lot more into this car as its my daily, but if the HP gains and transmission tweaks are worth it, I would gladly do them. It has the 3.15 rear.
Thanks!
My question: What kind of improvements will I pick up from putting on a set of long tube headers and doing a tune (mail order or otherwise)? I don't really want to sink a lot more into this car as its my daily, but if the HP gains and transmission tweaks are worth it, I would gladly do them. It has the 3.15 rear.
Thanks!
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 8
From: Winterville, North Carolina
I think I've read up here headers and a tune will get you around 30 whp. The real joy of headers and a tune isn't in the peak horsepower number in my opinion. This is my second car with an LS engine (1999 base corvette) previous car was a 2013 Camaro SS. On my Camaro I only did headers and the difference it made was amazing, sound and performance wise.
From my understanding when doing the tune alone you will pick up more power in the tuner just redoing torque management and freeing up more torque through the power band.
In my corvette, I did a cam and headers along with several other supporting mods at the same time. Base dyno was 299 whp. Afterwards was 377 whp. If I had to pick only one mod to do bolt on wise, it would probably be headers.
You probably need to consider your long term goals too. A lot of people will do headers to help their engine breathe better for future mods such as heads/cam or supercharger.
I've never had experience with a mail order tune, but from what I gather from different forums and the opinions of most, a dyno tune is the best way to go if you have a tuner in your area.
From my understanding when doing the tune alone you will pick up more power in the tuner just redoing torque management and freeing up more torque through the power band.
In my corvette, I did a cam and headers along with several other supporting mods at the same time. Base dyno was 299 whp. Afterwards was 377 whp. If I had to pick only one mod to do bolt on wise, it would probably be headers.
You probably need to consider your long term goals too. A lot of people will do headers to help their engine breathe better for future mods such as heads/cam or supercharger.
I've never had experience with a mail order tune, but from what I gather from different forums and the opinions of most, a dyno tune is the best way to go if you have a tuner in your area.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 540
From: Kelowna BC
I've installed headers on almost every V8 car. Noticably more power, better sound... all good.
Only other option I'd consider (would be second to headers for me), depending on your driving needs, would be 3.90 gears.
Only other option I'd consider (would be second to headers for me), depending on your driving needs, would be 3.90 gears.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
My long term goals are pretty basic. I'm going to commute in the vehicle over the next few years and then upgrade to an LS3 C6 once prices come down a little. This car, and the great deal I got, fell into my lap. If I wanted to go the supercharged route, or similar, and drop a pile of cash on modifications, I would have picked up an LS3 C6 instead. I also have a faster garage queen I never drive that scratches the go faster itch.
If headers and a tune can give me a decent bump in power and enhance the automatic experience, then that wold be worth it. I'd stop at that point.
I have to imagine there are some on this board that have the same setup I desire and would love to hear the overall HP gain and improvement for the auto.
Thanks!
If headers and a tune can give me a decent bump in power and enhance the automatic experience, then that wold be worth it. I'd stop at that point.
I have to imagine there are some on this board that have the same setup I desire and would love to hear the overall HP gain and improvement for the auto.
Thanks!
Last edited by VTCrom; Jul 6, 2018 at 07:41 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 8
From: Winterville, North Carolina
There was a guy that just posted on the "true hp of ls" thread in c5 general that his 2000 A4 with air intake and exhaust baselined at 293 whp. After headers and tune it made 315 whp. This was on a mustang dyno. So he had a gain of 22 whp. I believe the 2001+ came with the better intake, so you could be looking at a few more hp than that.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,421
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
In the interest of "improved performance", I installed headers on a couple of previously owned "daily drivers". I'll readily admit that this was before the days of ceramic coatings and/or really good, high quality header gaskets. My feelings? For a street driven car, the hassle of headers isn't worth the performance gain, IMHO. Why? Primarily because you seldom have the opportunity to "enjoy" the benefits of that performance enhancing modification, ESPECIALLY with a car such as an LS1 powered, relatively light weight, Corvette. The car is already pretty quick, quicker than 99.9% of your driving conditions will allow, and quite reliable, which a DD needs to be.
Yeah, I know that the "critics" will all bash me, and say that a car can never be "too fast", and believe me, I do understand that viewpoint. Maybe it's just because I've had questionable past experiences with headers, and when backed up by a street legal exhaust system, some of the benefits of the headers are neutralized.
Yeah, I know that the "critics" will all bash me, and say that a car can never be "too fast", and believe me, I do understand that viewpoint. Maybe it's just because I've had questionable past experiences with headers, and when backed up by a street legal exhaust system, some of the benefits of the headers are neutralized.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,098
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Get a set of Kooks or Stainless Works and a good tune. Should see 25-30rwhp. Be careful with rear end gears. My 3.45's will send the tires up in smoke in a heartbeat. Your 3.15's are fine for street use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
In the interest of "improved performance", I installed headers on a couple of previously owned "daily drivers". I'll readily admit that this was before the days of ceramic coatings and/or really good, high quality header gaskets. My feelings? For a street driven car, the hassle of headers isn't worth the performance gain, IMHO. Why? Primarily because you seldom have the opportunity to "enjoy" the benefits of that performance enhancing modification, ESPECIALLY with a car such as an LS1 powered, relatively light weight, Corvette. The car is already pretty quick, quicker than 99.9% of your driving conditions will allow, and quite reliable, which a DD needs to be.
Yeah, I know that the "critics" will all bash me, and say that a car can never be "too fast", and believe me, I do understand that viewpoint. Maybe it's just because I've had questionable past experiences with headers, and when backed up by a street legal exhaust system, some of the benefits of the headers are neutralized.
Yeah, I know that the "critics" will all bash me, and say that a car can never be "too fast", and believe me, I do understand that viewpoint. Maybe it's just because I've had questionable past experiences with headers, and when backed up by a street legal exhaust system, some of the benefits of the headers are neutralized.
Lots of $$ for not much in return. Plus there’s always the potential for problems associated with the install. Since this is your driver, why use the money for creature comforts, like stereo upgrades, nicer seat covers, or other interior upgrades?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 359
From: Northville, MI
Since yours is an automatic, you would greatly appreciate the results of a tune. If you are going the header route, air intake route, etc, wait until they are done, then get a good tune. A base C5 auto benefits from tuning the trans shift points, delay, rpm levels, etc. Do not get too hung up on horsepower, the real benefits of a good tune are when you are running in the low to mid rpm band--that is running on the street.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 234
From: Round Rock Texas
I only wanted basic mods on my car(98auto) different air intake headers. That was it. This is my daily driver so did not want to keep dumping money into it. So the last thing I did was get a tune by Aikman tuning here in Austin. One of the best $500. I spent so far. Car drives better sounds better totaly please with results. He did street tune, dyno tune followed by street tune again. 100% better daily driver
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 231
Likes: 156
Since yours is an automatic, you would greatly appreciate the results of a tune. If you are going the header route, air intake route, etc, wait until they are done, then get a good tune. A base C5 auto benefits from tuning the trans shift points, delay, rpm levels, etc. Do not get too hung up on horsepower, the real benefits of a good tune are when you are running in the low to mid rpm band--that is running on the street.
