Ok so 2002 was a good year and thanks to that I had a healthy Christmas bonus. Which of course $$$$ = mods. So I was looking at getting some headers. Checking out the FLP's vs. the Bellangers. The FLP package Nate is offering looks tempting but someone mentioned to me that there was a discussionon this forum stating that headers did nothing for the performance f the vehicle. Tried doing a search but came up empty handed. Anyone have opinions on either two or are getting headers a waste of my time and money. :confused:

 

Can't comment on the Belangers, heard nothing but good about them, but the FLP's, or any long tube header for that matter will provide a VERY noticible performance increase.

I have the FLP's and would get them again in a heartbeat, but I can't tell you they are the absolute best in performance. It seemed like the best overall value when I bought them, since it's a complete package, not just headers.

Whatever you decide, you'll find the headers well worth it. :yesnod:

:cheers:

 

Thats what I noticed and like about the FLP's is like you said they offer the complete. Did you install them yourself or have someone else do it for you. How much of an increase did you notice? Did you have your car dynoed after having them installed?

 

I'm not far from FLP, so I let them do the dirty work. :D

I haven't had it dyno'd ever, so I can't give you #'s, but rest assured it is an impressive gain you will feel instantly. It didn't take me but 5 miles down the road after the install for the car to scare the crap out of me. Of course that was the first time ever I broke the rear end loose at 60mph, but I was smiling all the way home.
Even at that, if you ever get into bigger mods, ie: heads/cam, S/C, etc...headers should be considered a prerequisite. Since you have the intake done, it's basically your next stage to increased horsepower.

:cheers:

 

I have the FLPs and would probably buy them again because I like the option of being able to put hiflo cats in and take them out (without a torch).

However, they are not perfect. The tabs that go to the bellhousing don't always line up. You will need some spark plug wire heat sleeves. The rear O2 bung holes are not staggered like they should be and it wouldn't hurt to move them forward a couple of inches. The clearance between the front O2s and the body/firewall is real small.

Also, if you try to use the Corsa titatnium street with the FLP's hiflo cats, you have to modify the Corsa to make it work. Reason, the location of the FLP hiflo cats is farther back than the stock location.

As for power, everybody said I would make 20 to 40 hp. I made 9 rwhp when I added the FLPs. However, I was alread kind of maxed out. And, after I programmed the PCM, I made another 14 hp.

Hope that helps. :jester

 

I am eager to go dyno the car, just been too busy lately. The sotp increase is VERY NOTICEABLE. I did the install myself in the garage. In my case there were a few fitment issues, but nothing that couldn't be resolved with minimal cost in time and cuss words. :D There are other members who have installed FLPs and everything fit perfectly. I highly recommend these headers. Since you're in Fullerton, we can meet up if you wanna see what they're like.

RT :cheers:

 

I hope to dyno mine again next month after the FLP install.
Definite SOTP increase, at least 10hp gain. I knew I would have a good increase because we also had pup cats on our car :eek:
Run flats don't stand a chance now:D
Any good LTH will give you similar gains just like the ever lasting cold air intake wars........ All in what you want IMHO :yesnod:
Check out my reviews
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/30s..._EXHAUST.shtml
https://www.corvetteforum.com/review...529&TopicID=14

 

FLP's here also. Definite hp/tq improvement but I didn't dyno after install (which I did with the help of a buddy in my garage, thanks Wt99C5). I've since installed h/c and the FLP's no doubt helped the entire setup breathe as it should. FLP has revised the setup since I bought these so the fit is better and mine fit just fine with no leaks. I definitely would buy them again.

 

Couple of dissenting comments:

1. Consider headers in light of your long term goals. Installed alone, they offer modest gains (for variable amounts of money). The stock manifolds aren't bad unless you get into engine building. If the latter is your plan, you should pick your headers based on what you're going to do. If you're going to go with a strong H/C setup plus LS6 Intake and so forth, well designed Long Tubes become a must. If you're going on to a big block, or H/C FI engine, and so forth, your choices become even more important.

2. As with everything in this hobby, you pay for what you get, with sometimes large costs for incremental gain. My sig reflects my choice: LGM's race style LT's with merge Collectors, and whose ORP's and High Flow Cats, gave me great flexibility. Cartek and LPE to name a few have similarly expensive, race style, hand fabricated choices. I think all are aimed at squeezing the most out of the exhaust side of a high output setup. The downside, of course, is cost. For somewhat less money, SW, FLP and so forth provide nice setups which make some compromises here and there.

3. Consider the technology. Belangers are "tri-y" headers, LGM's are true Long Tubes with merge collectors, etc. There have been lots of threads on this and other forums detailing the benefits, and deficits, of various designs. You should take a look at those and see how they meet your needs. Again, you should chose your pipes with your whole plan in mind.

Hope this helps. Best of luck as you pursue the addiciton!!

 

Everyone thanks for the advice. Think I am gonna go with the FLP's. The only other major mod I forsee doing in the future is possibly h/c so this would be a good move. ALL THROTTLE thanks for your reviews and helpful pics. They will come in handy when the time comes to install these. RT when you got the time I would like to check out the install and ask you a few more questions. One more quick question do you guys have stock or aftermarket exhaust. And if so how did this play into the fit of the new header system. Thanks again :cheers: :cheers:

 

Makes no difference which exhaust you're runnung since the FLP x-pipe hooks up to the flanges of the over-axle pipes.




[Modified by Patches, 9:23 PM 1/3/2003]

 

Patches,

Makes no difference if you are running any rear exhaust EXCEPT the Corsa Titanium Street. The Corsa Ti Street comes with resonators and titanium pipes that go all the way up to the cats. You do not want to use the FLP intermediate pipes because they are heavy and not light like titanium. Further, if you do use the FLP intermediate pipes, you cannot use the Corsa resonators. Given the design of the Corsas (straight through), I think your car would almost sound uncorked without the resonators.

So, as a general rule, it doesn't matter. However, if you bought the Corsa titanium (probably for the weight savings), you will have to modify it some to make it work with the FLPs because the hiflo cats on the FLPs are located farther back than the stock cats.

:D

 

I just had the Belangers installed - I dynoed before installation , drove for "relearn", then dyno'ed again - I picked up 17 RWHP on the installation of these headers alone .. I'm very satisfied - the craftmanship is very very good - I believe that any long tube header will provide a VERY noticible performance increase.

Good luck with your decision ...

:cool: :cheers: :smash: :seeya

 

Both set of mentioned headers are very popular and put out descent #s - but gentlemen - lets try and be realistic here.. You gain (on average) about 10-20 RWHP on a stock motor unless you do a few more mods in addition to the headers..

But claims like this I seriously doubt that headers alone will create such an experience..

Best Regards, and good luck with your choice as I am sure that you will not be disappointed with which ever header you choose.. In fact try and find a negative post on ANY of the header systems other than TPIS.. :D Meaning that just about everyone has been happy with thier purchase no matter what brand they have gone with..

 

That was just my experience. I don't lie to people, and while you may used to much more power over a longer period of time, I wasn't. I bought my "stock" car, had gotten fairly used to the power, a little over a month later, had the headers put on, and for the first time ever, broke it loose on the freeway, not really trying.
Again, with your experience, you might laugh at that, but my car didn't do that stock, I wasn't expecting it, and when it happened, hell yeah it scared me for a split second!

I only wanted to indicate that it is a noticible increae in power and wanted to illustrate that with my experience. I'm not a drag racer, and not used to 500 hp cars, so others may not think this is signifigant.


:cheers:

 

I totaly understand what you are saying and I am happy for your sucess at heart 100% - however I didnt want the "audience" that are on the fence about purchasing a set of headers to expect your same experience.. Thats all I mean - as the experience you had is "most likely" not the norm....

Again - just trying to keep people from expecting too much from a 10-20 RWHP gain.. Now if you were talking about a 150 shot of N20 - then heck ya that will scare ya!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:cheers:

 

bparker,

I agree with you - best for people not to expect too much from the headers. I think 10-20 horse is about right.

You can definately feel the difference, but it's nothing like the feeling you get when you activate nitrous or hit boost on a blower/turbo.

 

Rhynos99: email or PM me anytime and we'll hook up.

RT