I have an '02 with Corsa Indy's & a Bassani X-Pipe. Also I am considering long tube headers. What are the considerations? Will a set work with what I currently have? What brand would you suggest?

Thank you in advance.

 

I was going to recommend the FLP's but since you already have an X-pipe...

There are several excellant quality headers out there. TPIS and Stainlessworks are very good headers at an excellant price. Fit/finish of the hand built Belangers is hard to beat. All will give the same ballpark hp/tq figures. FLP and TPIS are our best sellers by far. Give us a call if you would like some more info :)


LG Motorsports sells their own line of "true" longtubes considered to be a top performer... and they are a Supporting Vendor that can be reached directly:yesnod:

:cheers:


[Modified by billreid1@***.net, 7:24 PM 10/29/2002]

 

I have an '01 C5 and have reviewed the available headers extensively. Depends on your budget and what you ultimately intend to do with the car.

1. B&B shorty headers - about $1000 and only add 10 rwhp + 10 torque. Not worth the money or the time IMHO. Look good, easy direct bolt-on but have problems with hot spot on plug wires. You will need a set of $80 kool sox to protect your wires.

2. SLP ceramic coated stainless steel headers - about $900 and add 15 rwhp + 15 torque. 1-3/4" long tubes which would support a car up to around 500 - 550 rwhp. Requires welding and an additional installation kits for another $300.

3. TPIS ceramic coated stainless steel headers - same as the SLP headers but claim to add in the neighborhood of 20 rwhp + 20 torque.

4. TTS ceramic coated stainless steel headers - about $1250 + welding required to install the 3" to 2-1/2" collector adapter. Same approximate rwhp & torque as the TPIS headers.

5. FLP ceramic coated stainless steel headers - only come as an engineered kit with the high flow cats, x-pipe, adaptors, installation kit and headers. Cost around $1600. Claim as much as 30 rwhp + 35 torque. I want the torque more than the rwhp. Probably the best overall setup on the market but I don't believe their claims of rwhp & torque.

The long tube headers offer a lot more low rpm torque with hp coming on in the mid rpm range (3000-3500 rpm). The shorty headers do not actually do much until you rev up above 4000 rpm and then the difference is minimal. That's why I think they are a waste of money when the cost is similar to long tube headers that actually offer something. Most everyone who gets the shorty headers eventually dump them for long tubes.

Don't believe a single word that any of the header manufacturers claim. They are all full of BS. Just remember that long tube headers offer much more low rpm torque and mid rpm hp than the shorty headers ever will. Also, there are advantages to having 1-5/8" diam tubes vs. 1-3/4" diam tubes but nothing really noticable between the two in a 500 rwhp or less engine. Either size tube will probably be good for a typical C5 setup. It would take me a full page to explain the tech issues of exhaust pulses vs tube length and size, etc. You can look it all up on the net if interested.

You will need to have your car tuned on a dyno to get the best bang out of your headers once they are installed. Figure in another $500 for that.

I'm going with the FLP headers since I intend to do heads & cam and a 100 shot of dry NoS to get me up to around 550 rwhp. Speed Demon in Houston will install them for me and Chris does great work. I will have to drop my stainless steel Corsa x-pipe but I figure I can sell that for around $150 since it's only a year old.

One truth that no one can dispute - Speed Costs! You will probably spend in the neighborhood of $1500 to $2500 after all is said and done.

Hope this helps.
Save the Wave :seeya :cheers: :cool: