jrpedraza

I have finally awakened the beast that lies under the hood of my 07 – what a difference freer breathing makes. This week I installed a set of Kooks 1 3/4 headers with a catted X-pipe, Vararam, and an LAPD 3/8 Tunnel Plate, I amazed on all fronts at how much quicker acceleration and throttle response have increased; I wish I hadn’t waited so long to do these mods. As a side effect of the headers and X-pipe I think the drone from my Flowmasters has somewhat lessened. I took a short drive, ‘bout 100 miles or so today, and am happy to report that the tunnel plate has reduced the temps inside of the console, not to mention the increased rigidity, especially going into tight curves.

After the install I tuned her with the “header tune” in my diablosport Predator tuner. I should have taken her out for a ride before the tuning but I didn’t. All I can say for now is that she runs great, I can’t wait for DiabloSport to release the transmission tune for the predator.

Sorry no pictures, but I’m sure there are plenty of pics and ‘how-to’s on this forum already. I can give a couple pieces of advice though, first, if you can get the ‘vette two feet or so in the air, you’ll have a much easier time lining everything up. Second, do not seat the header bolts fully until the X-Pipe and remaining exhaust components are connected; it will be much easier to connect the exhaust with a little play at the headers. Next, I went with uncoated headers, my neighbor told me to spray them down completely and thoroughly with brake cleaner otherwise when the headers heat up you’ll end up with finger and hand prints burned into the headers.

JR

RRVettes

Great mods!!

GotVett?

Alway's interested in this kind of stuff.

RadarP3C

It does make a difference. I had Kooks headers and x-piped installed a couple of weeks ago. The headers changed the sound of the Xtremes also. Better sound and performance.....

DesertDog

What was the cost involved? (approx).

Thanks!

Desert Dog

jrpedraza

I think I was just under $2,500 for everything.

JR

Tom_Slick

I have a Magnaflo X pipe with Flowmasters. Can I just get the Kooks, high flow cats and hook them up to my current pieces?

jrpedraza

What I was really surprised at was that it seemed to reduce the resonance from the FlowMasters; I can't recommend these mods to eliminate it but, at least in my opinion the drone is now more tolerable.

Once summer hits us hard here in Austin I'll be in a better position to measure the heat reduction due to the tunnel plate, so far I am very satisfied. Thanks to some great forum vendors I received everything quickly, just as described, and at a great price.

JR

jrpedraza

The X-pipe I bought came with the cats welded on, so adding them would entail quite a bit of work. I'm not really sure if the Kooks will bolt up directly to the Magnaflo X-pipe, but I cannot see why not.

For a better and more accurate answer talk to Branden at Maryland Speed, he'll take care of you....

JR

HyperX

I totally agree. Headers on the vette is a must mod.

peter pan

Nice mod and headers do make a difference

jrpedraza

I wish I would have sprung for the coated headers though, but it's too late now. I'll just have to enjoy what I have. Even though it was a short trip yesterday, I averaged about 32 MPG between highway and a little city driving, not too bad...

JR

VETTAMOUS

did you get a tune, if not did it through any codes.

viny1954

Great mod, getting ready to do mine

jrpedraza

I used the Predator by Diablosport for a tune, they have a 93 octane header tune that seemed to work out pretty good. For now I'll leave it ias is, no codes, but I'll have to do some more research; Texas is an ODBII state, they plug into my ODB port to test the system, I'm not sure if the header tune disabled my rear O2's, if so I'll need them enabled with sufficient time to allow them to cycle for the test.

JR