First off what is the "best" set of headers for our C5 HP and TQ numbers?

Second how hard are headers to install and what can I expect to pay for the install?

Third does anyone on the forum have a good set of used headers they want to sell?

Fourth what is better short or long tube headers and why?

Thanks for the help. Now if I can just get someone to help me with this mod sickness. Anyone, anyone????? :confused: :flag

 

I have to preface this by saying that I am pretty much a rookie in this area but have been researching headers so this is fresh info.

<<First off what is the "best" set of headers for our C5 HP and TQ numbers?>>

I think you would get a lot of discussion on this. I have found that the best almost always are the most expensive. I like FLPs but they are having problems with them breaking but they may have that worked out by now. Other good ones are LGM, Stainless Works(Which rumor has it makes LGM's headers), TPIS are also a favorite, Belanger.>>

<<Second how hard are headers to install and what can I expect to pay for the install?>>

Some of the Headers mentioned above come as header "systems". FLP, LGM, and more recently TPIS have "systems. These include the headers, the X-pipe, and the Hi flo cats(many also come with off road pipes). When you buy these "systems", it is truly a bolt on operation which may take a good half day for a novice and a couple of hours for a shop. If you are just talking headers only, this would require cutting and welding which would complicate the install. You have to cut ahead of the stock cats and weld the headers to the OEM cats....a cheaper setup but a more costly install and usually takes it out of reach for the common DIYer. Install costs....no idea really. I wouldn't think it would be any more than a coupla hunerd bucks for the "system". Maybe more for just headers.

<<Third does anyone on the forum have a good set of used headers they want to sell?>>

Keep your eyes peeled in the for sale/parts section.

<<Fourth what is better short or long tube headers and why?>>

The longer the better. Dunno the physics of it but they will give you more power and more torque. You see "shorty" headers out there. I have NO idea why people put these on their cars since they offer no gain in performance....maybe looks or sound....who knows.

Thanks for the help. Now if I can just get someone to help me with this mod sickness. Anyone, anyone????? :confused: :flag>>

No chance. You're history.


[Modified by FLYNLO, 5:23 PM 4/30/2003]

 

I got the TPIS..took 2 of us 4 hours includes us doing all cutting welding necessary etc. Matched with the Borla Stingers..I am very happy....not hard work just takes a little time....if you don't have access to welding equipment you will have to pay for that part and I have heard like $400 for install...FLPS require no welding but cost twice as much.....as far as performance I have heard all kinds of different things but of course it all depends on other mods etc. Good luck :seeya

 

I will look into the TPIS. Thanks :cheers:

 

Well here is my 2 cents, since you asked. If your engine is bone stock, headers will not gain you all that much HP/TQ. I have a 2001 Coupe, with long tube headers ( Belangers) and my gain over stock was only 10 HP and 10 TQ. The FLPs and stainless steel works headers seem to do much better...17-20 Hp. However, these kits are expensive..$1500-1800 depending on the vendor. I'm not sure the $/ HP gain is worth it for long tube headers on a stock engine. I will agree that they look really cool, and the exhuast note from my car is alot meaner. If I had to do over again, I would have spent my money on a Z06 tranny, or upgraded the clutch/clutch master cylinder, then maybe forked out the bucks for headers when I had an extra $2000.00 grand laying around and I was out of mod ideas. If you do go for the headers, make sure you get your car tuned after the install. The headers may change the air/fuel mixture and tuning will get you the max gain out of the headers. Tuning will probably cost you another $500.00 bucks!

 

P.S. The install will probably cost another $300.00-500.00 bucks...

 

Dicecal,

I would definitely check the numbers again. I'm bone stock on the inside. I've got a blackwing, FLP's w/CATS and Corsa Indy's. Stock run prior to BW and FLP was 287. After BW and FLP's 312 - a gain of 25 ponies at the tires.

However, that was after a little tweaking with LS1 (but very little) had bad gas in the tank.

later,

 

Thrap42,

We were talking about headers only, not headers and a blackwing. It's been my experience to see 17-20 Hp gain with good long tubes like FLP and the stainless steel works headers. The blackwing is at least 5hp gain on your total of 25, so my numbers are pretty good. Nontheless, I still belive if your talking HP/$..long tubes don't pay!

 

I guess it really depends on the application. Headers offer the best hp gain for a single bolton for the ZO6 crowd. All of the other traditional boltons don't seem to yield much. And also if you are going to do other more serious mods(SC, H/C,etc.) the advantages of headers are magnified.
Another thing headers do that people seem to overlook is get more HP under the torque....not exactly unimportant. :cheers:

 

I purchased TPIS long tubes last fall and installed them myself. They gave me a definite SOTP's increase in power and acceleration, now the car just wants to keep accelerating and accelerating untill the rev limiter. The install goes was not to difficult. Although I was intimidated at first, there was no real reason to be. It was one of my favorite projects and I would do it again in a heart beat.

 

:iagree: !!!

look to "joecoool's" post about his LGM install...peak wasn't a HUGE increase but under the curve was amazing :D