C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Headers and Loudness

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 01:50 PM
  #1  
TOOGECKO's Avatar
TOOGECKO
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Default Headers and Loudness

I have a 2004 ZO6 with no engine mods other than a CAI. I am wanting to get headers installed but am concerned about how much louder it will be. Anybody have any comments on this? Anybody near Atlanta that could let me hear their car? I don't mind louder, I just don't want to not hear my radio, conversation, etc. Eventually, I would like to get a S/C and figured that this was the first step...

Feedback very much appreciated!

Reply
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 04:37 PM
  #2  
C5JONNY's Avatar
C5JONNY
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: central NJ
Default

They will definitely change the exhaust note, but will not make your car that much louder.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 04:54 PM
  #3  
Mitch C's Avatar
Mitch C
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Default

Originally Posted by C5JONNY
They will definitely change the exhaust note, but will not make your car that much louder.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 04:57 PM
  #4  
don527's Avatar
don527
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Default

my opinion... different designs will have different sound qualities. i've read that LGs are louder than Kooks in general. For some thats a plus or minus depending on what you want.

also, whatever LT you go with, if your goal is to keep noise increase to minimum... keep the stock Ti pipes. Aftermarkets sound different with various headers but I believe all sound much louder than the Ti pipes.

In my experience, the Kooks 1 3/4 with factory Ti pipes sound marginally louder than factory under normal conditions which i love. At WOT it sounds like a beast.

Good luck.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 05:22 PM
  #5  
'06 Quicksilver Z06's Avatar
'06 Quicksilver Z06
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Default

Originally Posted by don527
my opinion... different designs will have different sound qualities. i've read that LGs are louder than Kooks in general. For some thats a plus or minus depending on what you want.

also, whatever LT you go with, if your goal is to keep noise increase to minimum... keep the stock Ti pipes. Aftermarkets sound different with various headers but I believe all sound much louder than the Ti pipes.

In my experience, the Kooks 1 3/4 with factory Ti pipes sound marginally louder than factory under normal conditions which i love. At WOT it sounds like a beast.

Good luck.

I chose Kooks, and I can tell you from personal experience that my car has the same or actually less exhaust noise on cruising. I attribute this to the deeper tone. On cruising, it is barely audible.

Now if you put your foot into it, that is an entirely different story.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 07:13 PM
  #6  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

I installed a complete StainlessWorks system (SS headers to SS tips)on my 02 ZO6. I am very sensitive to TOO much noise and did not want a system that would rurin the interior quite!

Well, the Stainless Works 3" mid section with X pipe and the Stainless works mufflers sound wicked!!! They even impressed the wife and she WILL NOT drive in a loud car!!!


The system is not as loud as it is throaty and deep! It screams at WOT!

I am very happy with the sound and even more pleased with the new found HP/TQ!!!!

Bill C
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2004 | 01:21 AM
  #7  
BHP's Avatar
BHP
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,076
Likes: 26
From: Nevada and Florida
Default

Headers will change tone and resonance peaks.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2004 | 07:13 PM
  #8  
TOOGECKO's Avatar
TOOGECKO
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Default

Deeper sound is fine. More "Growl" at WOT is not a problem and will probably be enjoyed. I also plan on keeping my stock Ti exhaust.
I just don't want my exhaust note produced by the headers overpowering everything else going on with the car!!!
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 4, 2004 | 07:20 PM
  #9  
Patches's Avatar
Patches
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Default

I agree with the above comments. With intake, headers and one of the milder exhausts, my car was not much louder than stock. Once I added heads/cam, now that was a different story.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2004 | 09:38 PM
  #10  
NVTHIS's Avatar
NVTHIS
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,981
Likes: 37
From: Piedmont, SC Currently Own: 99 Nassau blue FRC. Previously Owned: 84,95,98 Indy Pace,01 Z06
Default

I guess I will find out how loud my vert will sound after I install TPIS Longtube headers with X-pipe, and no cats coupled up to the SLP Loudmouths!!
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2004 | 09:53 PM
  #11  
BigBlue's Avatar
BigBlue
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 31
From: Richmond Texas
Default

Originally Posted by J's 1998 Pace Car
I guess I will find out how loud my vert will sound after I install TPIS Longtube headers with X-pipe, and no cats coupled up to the SLP Loudmouths!!
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2004 | 10:21 PM
  #12  
NVTHIS's Avatar
NVTHIS
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,981
Likes: 37
From: Piedmont, SC Currently Own: 99 Nassau blue FRC. Previously Owned: 84,95,98 Indy Pace,01 Z06
Default

Maybe I will post sound clips!!! Get your earplugs ready,LOL!!
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2004 | 12:52 AM
  #13  
Face's Avatar
Face
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,294
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk, Long Island NY
Default

In my experience, long tube headers will make the car louder at WOT, but quieter at idle.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2004 | 11:14 AM
  #14  
C5X2C's Avatar
C5X2C
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Ca
Default

I have Corsa Indy Pro mufflers on before the LGM LTs and they sounded find. After the LTs, the sound was loud enough to effect the tides and attract way too much attention for my liking. I think they were around 98dbs at cold start and 120 at WOT.



Dumped the Corsas and installed stock Ti mufflers and the world once again let's me drive on without too much notice.

Reply
Old Nov 5, 2004 | 11:53 AM
  #15  
TOOGECKO's Avatar
TOOGECKO
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Default


I am not one to like extra attention!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Headers and Loudness





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:00 AM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE