picking the right header
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
picking the right header
Wth all of the header GPs going on right now, I'm having a hard time deciding which one to buy. Seems to me the stainless ones are the best, and of this bunch, the HP gains are very similar. So, my deciding factors will be:
Which one has the best ground clearance?
Which is the easiest to install?
And a general question: Any disadvantage to not having the rear O2 sensors?
Anything else you can think of to help sway the decision?
Which one has the best ground clearance?
Which is the easiest to install?
And a general question: Any disadvantage to not having the rear O2 sensors?
Anything else you can think of to help sway the decision?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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They are all very similar, the quality ones. They all make similar power. It will come down to whats important to you.
Customer support, whether you need the entire system to the catbacks to be 304 stainless, how much extra you are willing to spend for that.
Considering how tight the engine compartment is and all the stuff you have to remove, none of them is easy to install. Either raising the engine or raising the car nearly 2 ft off the ground and crawling under it, or both may be necessary with some of them. And if you do it at home without a lift it will be tougher on jackstands and rampst.
While uncommon, there are people here with both of the most popular brands who have reported clearance problems.
Customer support, whether you need the entire system to the catbacks to be 304 stainless, how much extra you are willing to spend for that.
Considering how tight the engine compartment is and all the stuff you have to remove, none of them is easy to install. Either raising the engine or raising the car nearly 2 ft off the ground and crawling under it, or both may be necessary with some of them. And if you do it at home without a lift it will be tougher on jackstands and rampst.
While uncommon, there are people here with both of the most popular brands who have reported clearance problems.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Oct 22, 2004 at 07:42 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
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Originally Posted by eamador11
I have Kooks LTs, and mine is lowered. no problems here...
Get Kooks!
Get Kooks!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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I re read his post, and I think he said that he had not had any problems.
He made no mention of the frame rails.
There have been reports from some OWNERS and VENDORS of the two most popular brands that they both hang slightly below the tunnel.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=930624
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=876202
One forum member says that Lou, who sells LGs headers, informed him that the lowest point, at the collector, in the LG system is about 1/2" below the frame rails.
Nick, who sells Kooks headers says that the cats they use hang approximately 1/2" lower than factory.
He made no mention of the frame rails.
There have been reports from some OWNERS and VENDORS of the two most popular brands that they both hang slightly below the tunnel.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=930624
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=876202
One forum member says that Lou, who sells LGs headers, informed him that the lowest point, at the collector, in the LG system is about 1/2" below the frame rails.
Nick, who sells Kooks headers says that the cats they use hang approximately 1/2" lower than factory.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Oct 24, 2004 at 04:24 PM.
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From: Indianapolis Indiana
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1/2" down is the friendliest LG estimate I've heard. Most sat 1" to 1.5", and a bit less for the Kooks.
I read the post just as you did. I was questioning whether or not he'd actually looked at the clearance, since "no problems" could mean your headers hang down 3", but you only drive on smooth roads.
I read the post just as you did. I was questioning whether or not he'd actually looked at the clearance, since "no problems" could mean your headers hang down 3", but you only drive on smooth roads.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
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Originally Posted by BQuicksilver
1/2" down is the friendliest LG estimate I've heard. Most sat 1" to 1.5", and a bit less for the Kooks.
I read the post just as you did. I was questioning whether or not he'd actually looked at the clearance, since "no problems" could mean your headers hang down 3", but you only drive on smooth roads.
I read the post just as you did. I was questioning whether or not he'd actually looked at the clearance, since "no problems" could mean your headers hang down 3", but you only drive on smooth roads.
1/2" down is the friendliest LG estimate I've heard. Most sat 1" to 1.5", and a bit less for the Kooks.
The clearance issue is certainly one which has to be considered. Especially with a lowered car. I don't recall him (eamador11) saying that he had "looked at" or physically "measured" the clearance. But he did mention that his car was lowered. He reported that he had "no problems." This, despite the fact that his car was lowered.
The likelihood of having headers hanging 3" down on a lowered car and in addition to that, having the incredibly "good fortune" of only driving on "smooth roads" in such a significantly clearance challenged automobile, designed for street use, is well beyond the realm of reasonable assumption. He even shows a photo of his car on an incline. Or do you believe thats his car?
The worst I have seen described on this board in terms of ground clearance are the LGs.
In http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=857593 Sweetcharity stated: "My clearances are: bottom weld of collector (pass. side) to ground
3 7/8" and it hangs 1 7/16" from bottom of car. Drivers side is 4 3/16 from collector weld to ground.
Last edited by '06 Quicksilver Z06; Oct 24, 2004 at 11:13 PM.
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