Difference between TPIS, FLP, and Stainless Works Headers ??
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Difference between TPIS, FLP, Stainless Works, and Belanger Long Tube Headers ??
What is really the difference between TPIS Long Tube Ceramic Coated Headers ($890), FLP LT Ceramic Coated ($1600), Stainless Works LT Headers ($1000), and the Belanger LT's ($1195). The above prices are from one of our supporting vendors. Is there really much of a difference from one brand to another ? Any performance difference ? Are some easier to install / deinstall ? Please advise,
Thanks,
Mark
[Modified by mdhmi@yahoo.com, 7:54 PM 8/15/2003]
Thanks,
Mark
[Modified by mdhmi@yahoo.com, 7:54 PM 8/15/2003]
Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 45
From: Marquette MI
Re: Difference between TPIS, FLP, Stainless Works, and ...?? (mdhmi@yahoo.com)
Stainless Works are 304 stainless steel - it won't rust whether coated or not. I don't think that the others are 304 stainless at the prices indicated.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Re: Difference between TPIS, FLP, Stainless Works
The FLP's come with an X-pipe and the option to swap the cats in and out...I figure that's atleast part of the reason they are so much more than the others. Beyond that I'm pretty clueless about C5 headers.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Difference between headers ?? (mdhmi@yahoo.com)
The TPIS are ceramic-coated mild steel and include just the 2 headers. You will need to cut your stock midpide ahead of the cats to connect to them.
The Stainlessworks are 304SS, not coated, and again, just the headers. I believe SW can put together a full system with cats and midpipe, but not for that $1000.
The FLP headers are a complete system, mild steel and ceramic coated, and includes the headers, hi flow cats, off-road pipes (replaces the cats if you choose) and the X-pipe midsection. (complete to the rear axle flanges).
The Belangers are 304SS and are just the 2 headers also.
Stainless steel is more expensive material, which is why they are costlier for just the headers. The FLP is costlier because it is a complete system including cats.
LG motorsports also makes a 304SS complete system, comparable to the FLP system pricewise but not including cats. I believe they now have cats available, but with them the price climbs to about $2k. This is probably the best performing system out there at the moment due to the longer tubes used and definitely merits consideration.
:cheers:
The Stainlessworks are 304SS, not coated, and again, just the headers. I believe SW can put together a full system with cats and midpipe, but not for that $1000.
The FLP headers are a complete system, mild steel and ceramic coated, and includes the headers, hi flow cats, off-road pipes (replaces the cats if you choose) and the X-pipe midsection. (complete to the rear axle flanges).
The Belangers are 304SS and are just the 2 headers also.
Stainless steel is more expensive material, which is why they are costlier for just the headers. The FLP is costlier because it is a complete system including cats.
LG motorsports also makes a 304SS complete system, comparable to the FLP system pricewise but not including cats. I believe they now have cats available, but with them the price climbs to about $2k. This is probably the best performing system out there at the moment due to the longer tubes used and definitely merits consideration.
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
Re: Difference between TPIS, FLP, Stainless Works, and Belanger Long Tube Headers ?
FLP can be purchased for alot less than you quoted - I know Shawn @ LAPD just cut me a great deal (sorry I can't post the price) but siginificantly below $1600.
They were a 4 hour install with 45 minutes lost trying to figure out how to install the drivers side. My mechnically skilled buddy made the install look easy. The fit and finish are first rate.
But I'm sure they all are good.
Tom
They were a 4 hour install with 45 minutes lost trying to figure out how to install the drivers side. My mechnically skilled buddy made the install look easy. The fit and finish are first rate.
But I'm sure they all are good.
Tom
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Framingham MA
Re: Difference between headers ?? (Y2Kvert4me)
Great, concise explanation! :thumbs:
Can you comment further on long tube headers vs. shorties? For those of us who are "financially-challenged"... what are the best shorties and are they worth considering? Is the power gain worth the cost and effort? Or should we just save up until we can afford long tubes?
Monk :flag :flag :flag
Can you comment further on long tube headers vs. shorties? For those of us who are "financially-challenged"... what are the best shorties and are they worth considering? Is the power gain worth the cost and effort? Or should we just save up until we can afford long tubes?
Monk :flag :flag :flag
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 58,783
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From: D*ck ina Box
CI III & IV Vote Ho
CI II, III, IV & V Vet
CI IV Bracket Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Re: Difference between headers ?? (Monk)
Or should we just save up until we can afford long tubes?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,176
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From: highland village texas
Re: Difference between headers ?? (Monk)
save until you can afford LT...if you do a search on "shorties" i think you will find very few (if any) positive statements...most go with LT..good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 1
From: Irvine CA
Re: Difference between headers ?? (Monk)
Can you comment further on long tube headers vs. shorties? For those of us who are "financially-challenged"... what are the best shorties and are they worth considering? Is the power gain worth the cost and effort? Or should we just save up until we can afford long tubes?
Long tube headers have dyno-proven gains, you just gotta chose which one you gotta go with. I chose Stainlessworks since I want to keep my exhaust system a little more resistant to corrosion. Coating is not necessary for 304 stainless steel but if you want to keep them from turning brown, ceramic coating helps and keeps external heat a few degrees lower - good for under-the-hood temperature.
I had seen the TPIS/RK Sport headers, which looks like the most cost-effective of them all. They look great and give decent power gains. Andy (of A&A Corvettes) has mentioned emission-legal headers now too, which is even modular for easier install - which costs 300-500 bucks if you dont do it yourself. I would also have tuning done after a header install, you can get more power by leaning out your a/f ratio.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Framingham MA
Re: Difference between headers ?? (c5chris)
Shorties are not worth the money. If youre considering these, youre better off with your stock exhaust manifolds since they have no proven advantage over stock. The only positive note about them is that they are emissions legal since you dont have to cut your precats to install them, and they look stock enough to pass visual.
Long tube headers have dyno-proven gains, you just gotta chose which one you gotta go with. I chose Stainlessworks since I want to keep my exhaust system a little more resistant to corrosion. Coating is not necessary for 304 stainless steel but if you want to keep them from turning brown, ceramic coating helps and keeps external heat a few degrees lower - good for under-the-hood temperature.
I had seen the TPIS/RK Sport headers, which looks like the most cost-effective of them all. They look great and give decent power gains. Andy (of A&A Corvettes) has mentioned emission-legal headers now too, which is even modular for easier install - which costs 300-500 bucks if you dont do it yourself. I would also have tuning done after a header install, you can get more power by leaning out your a/f ratio.
Long tube headers have dyno-proven gains, you just gotta chose which one you gotta go with. I chose Stainlessworks since I want to keep my exhaust system a little more resistant to corrosion. Coating is not necessary for 304 stainless steel but if you want to keep them from turning brown, ceramic coating helps and keeps external heat a few degrees lower - good for under-the-hood temperature.
I had seen the TPIS/RK Sport headers, which looks like the most cost-effective of them all. They look great and give decent power gains. Andy (of A&A Corvettes) has mentioned emission-legal headers now too, which is even modular for easier install - which costs 300-500 bucks if you dont do it yourself. I would also have tuning done after a header install, you can get more power by leaning out your a/f ratio.
Monk :flag :flag :flag
