Plus you can insulate your interior with Dynamat .
How loud are headers?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: PA
How loud are headers?
Hi all,
If you install headers, does it cause a distinguishable increase in engine noise coming from the engine bay, or is there no difference compared to the stock manifolds?
Thanks
Chris
If you install headers, does it cause a distinguishable increase in engine noise coming from the engine bay, or is there no difference compared to the stock manifolds?
Thanks
Chris
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 16,507
Likes: 84
From: Southern Indiana
Originally Posted by ProtoVette
Hi all,
If you install headers, does it cause a distinguishable increase in engine noise coming from the engine bay, or is there no difference compared to the stock manifolds?
Thanks
Chris
If you install headers, does it cause a distinguishable increase in engine noise coming from the engine bay, or is there no difference compared to the stock manifolds?
Thanks
Chris
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
'99 C5 coupe here and prior to the headers the only mods that changed the noise level were swapping the stock cat-backs for a Z06 system and swapping the airbox for a Blackwing. Adding the LGM longtubes on top of that gave it a throatier rumble at startup and a more aggressive exhaust note during heavy throttle but no seriously noticeable difference at part throttle or during highway cruising - and I'm particular about noise levels. Of course there's no denying that the change in the power curve tempts the driver to press the loud pedal more frequently but that's a different story. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I am running the QTP's. When I first started it in the garage, I actually thought it was quieter. It is very hard to describe, but the car sounds "cleaner". You can hear the pistons firing at idle, but it isn't real loud. At cruise, almost no difference. At full throttle, it is louder. I have the Z06 exhaust which I think is a great system. Expect some increase in sound at full throttle as a set of cats have been eliminated (that's if you run them at all). I don't think you wife will object to them at all unless you go with a loud cat back.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
From: Palm Bay FL
ECS just installed Kook's long-tubes/cats/x-pipe on my '04 Vert. I installed a Corsa Indy catback months ago. At cruise or idle, the headers produce little or no sound difference, as compared to the Corsa Indys and the stock manifolds. At WOT, however, it roars; and it's especially loud between 3000 and 4000 RPM. It's actually a little too loud for my taste.
ECS installed the headers at the same time as a 4.10 gear, so the car's acceleration is much improved. Since both were done together, I can't really say how much the headers contibuted to improved performance. I suspect it's mostly in the gears. If I had it to do again, I'd install the gears, and wait on the headers.
ECS installed the headers at the same time as a 4.10 gear, so the car's acceleration is much improved. Since both were done together, I can't really say how much the headers contibuted to improved performance. I suspect it's mostly in the gears. If I had it to do again, I'd install the gears, and wait on the headers.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks for all the posts.
I plan on putting a louder exhaust on, such as just a Z06 or maybe even a Borla. I want the louder exhaust. I am also thinking about doing a head/cam package, and would want the headers for the breathing, but I dont want extra 'noise' from the engine bay, just the exhaust.
I plan on putting a louder exhaust on, such as just a Z06 or maybe even a Borla. I want the louder exhaust. I am also thinking about doing a head/cam package, and would want the headers for the breathing, but I dont want extra 'noise' from the engine bay, just the exhaust.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
see my signature - running QTP with hiflo cats , X pipe and STOCK cat backs. It is a little louder at full throttle but cruiseing along they are quiet.The cat backs, not the headers, will primarily determine how much noise you make. I'm probibly giving up 4-7 hp but the quiet more than makes up for it.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Originally Posted by 99 vett babycar
The cat backs, not the headers, will primarily determine how much noise you make. I'm probibly giving up 4-7 hp but the quiet more than makes up for it.
a lot depends on what cat-back system you have...and if you run cat converters at all or are catless
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
I run B&B Bullets with MTI Racing long tube headers. Got the bullets first, which are loud then after the long tubes the volume increased slightly but the tone got much lower. Deep rumble before, now deeper rumble. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Helena, AL
I have Dynatech headers with cats. The pitch got deeper but just driving around town I have not noticed an increase in loudness. It is a little louder at WOT. My mechanic told me the cats determine if it will get louder or not.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,408
Likes: 0
I have my catless LGs and it is quite a bit noticable (maybe 15% louder). If you get it with high flow cats it'll be only a smidge louder from what I hear. Of course the cats also take the edge from the sound and act like mufflers so the sound isn't as crisp.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by EB20003
My Kooks headers are barely louder than stock at cruising in terms of exhaust noise.
However long tube headers because they are thinner than stock manifolds, will transmit more valvetrain noise.
However long tube headers because they are thinner than stock manifolds, will transmit more valvetrain noise.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
i just installed LG's a few weeks ago. maybe im the only one... but the engine bay def. is a little bit louder!! i think its pretty amazing how some people have the best of luck, no engine noise, no exhaust leaks. i dont mind the extra noise, but it def. doesnt sound like stock!
just got my Jan. 05 copy of "VETTE"... they had an install guide to the LG longtubes and then a dyno comparison...
dyno without cats - 388.8rwhp 378 lb-ft
dyno with cats - 388.1rwhp 377.9 lb-ft
looks as if the high-flow cats only took about 1 rwhp away.
Cats will leave 5 - 10 HP on the table
dyno without cats - 388.8rwhp 378 lb-ft
dyno with cats - 388.1rwhp 377.9 lb-ft
looks as if the high-flow cats only took about 1 rwhp away.