Z06 headers on base
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 86
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From: East Tennessee
Z06 headers on base
I am toying with the idea of putting a Z06 exhaust on on my 2004 base convertible and that got me to wondering if there is any difference, or advantage, to also changing the headers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 257
From: Virginia
Adding long tube headers and getting a tune usually will add 20-30rwhp and will definitely make the Z06 titanium exhaust sound nice. If you are going to replace the stock manifolds definitely go with long tube headers. If you were talking about swapping for the stock Z06 manifolds then don’t waste your time.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 86
Likes: 15
From: East Tennessee
OK. thanks. I know long tube headers are an improvement, but wasn't sure about Z06 headers. I'm still trying to understand what each component, on it's own, brings to the table; i.e. cai, throttle body, maf, intake manifold, headers and the vast selection of exhaust systems. If finances allowed I would make improvements to all those areas, but it doesn't so I have learn more and make my selections later.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,333
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From: cruising between USA and Canada... SAVE THE WAVE!
OK. thanks. I know long tube headers are an improvement, but wasn't sure about Z06 headers. I'm still trying to understand what each component, on it's own, brings to the table; i.e. cai, throttle body, maf, intake manifold, headers and the vast selection of exhaust systems. If finances allowed I would make improvements to all those areas, but it doesn't so I have learn more and make my selections later.
if you mean exhaust manifolds that were on Ls6 cars, there's nothing to be gained by chaning to them.
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 86
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From: East Tennessee
Yep, I was referring to headers from a Z06. I thought they might be different. On Ebay I there is complete exhaust from a Z06, including the headers, that got me wondering about it. My first choice should probably be CAI followed by X-pipe and exhaust. At some point after that a larger throttle body and a tune.
bwillo3z and TGstring, thanks again for your help.
bwillo3z and TGstring, thanks again for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 257
From: Virginia
Yep, I was referring to headers from a Z06. I thought they might be different. On Ebay I there is complete exhaust from a Z06, including the headers, that got me wondering about it. My first choice should probably be CAI followed by X-pipe and exhaust. At some point after that a larger throttle body and a tune.
bwillo3z and TGstring, thanks again for your help.
bwillo3z and TGstring, thanks again for your help.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 599
Likes: 39
From: citrus heights ca
i wouldn't waste money on a throttle body.it's not going to make much improvement unless you have a bigger cam and ported heads.your car is an 04 so it has the ls6 intake manifold on it and again an aftermarket manifold won't make much difference until heads and cam
best mods to start is cai and full exhaust. you'll want these mods done before you do any other mods as these two areas are the bottleneck.if you do other mods before them you won't see the full gains of those mods until these two are done.
best mods to start is cai and full exhaust. you'll want these mods done before you do any other mods as these two areas are the bottleneck.if you do other mods before them you won't see the full gains of those mods until these two are done.
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 86
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From: East Tennessee
What do you guys think of the Blackwing CAI? I like what I've read about the Callaway Honker but it's twice the price. I gotta believe that a Blackwing sucking warm air is still better than the stock system.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 486
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
I'd do a zip tie mod or cut open the front of the airbox.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...p-tie-mod.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...p-tie-mod.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 355
From: Northville, MI
Here are a couple of things to remember, the stock TB flows about 750 cfm while a base C5 uses just a tad over 600 cfm at WOT. Your MAF has a sensor that measures the flow and temp of the air going to the engine and reports it to the PCM. The PCM makes decisions on how much fuel, timing, etc to add or subtract in the fueling maps from that information. If you have more air going to the MAF (problem with the dual cone cleaners) the air will actually slow down as it passes the sensor. Engine Bay air might lower by 10 degrees with a less restrictive air cleaner but it is 40-80 degrees warmer than the outside ambient air. True cold air is more dense, hence more oxygen per cubic inch. Finally a 5.7L engine will hold only about 43.25 c.i. of air/fuel per cylinder.
