Headers vs. Catbacks?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
When I tried it, I found that headers with the stock catback sound pretty close to stock. You get more noise inside the cabin because the thin header metal doesn't dampen the mechanical noises as much as the stock cast manifolds did, but the exhaust note out the back of the car is almost stock.
If you want sound, get a catback. If you want to add power, get headers. Neither one will accomplish both goals to any degree you can feel.
Right now, I'm running the Magnaflow catback system with headers, and I like it. Great deep sound with very low drone, and improved power. My second favorite was the RT66 system without headers (with headers is drones too much for me). The Corsa with headers was very loud and high pitched, but low drone. Yes, I've been through a few exhausts....
If you want sound, get a catback. If you want to add power, get headers. Neither one will accomplish both goals to any degree you can feel.
Right now, I'm running the Magnaflow catback system with headers, and I like it. Great deep sound with very low drone, and improved power. My second favorite was the RT66 system without headers (with headers is drones too much for me). The Corsa with headers was very loud and high pitched, but low drone. Yes, I've been through a few exhausts....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
I went with the following:
LPE CAI
Ported Intake by Charris85vette
AHR 1.75 inch headers
Tune by A&A corvette
Stock mufflers
Resulted in 400 rwhp and 394 rwt. The exhaust is louder than stock, but not to loud and there is no drone. So I have a lot of bite without to much bark. My 2 cents worth is to skip the catback it isn't worth the money for just the sound. I did all the above for about 2500 bucks.
LPE CAI
Ported Intake by Charris85vette
AHR 1.75 inch headers
Tune by A&A corvette
Stock mufflers
Resulted in 400 rwhp and 394 rwt. The exhaust is louder than stock, but not to loud and there is no drone. So I have a lot of bite without to much bark. My 2 cents worth is to skip the catback it isn't worth the money for just the sound. I did all the above for about 2500 bucks.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Hermosa Beach CA
You've described exactly what I have. Magnaflow 15884's, Halltech Stinger on a Z51.
Nice sound (I can hear them start my car 50 yards away) and no drone. I think the tips look good too.
If I had it to do over I would do exactly the same thing.
Nice sound (I can hear them start my car 50 yards away) and no drone. I think the tips look good too.
If I had it to do over I would do exactly the same thing.
