[Z06] Headers, Headers, Headers
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Headers, Headers, Headers
NOT ANOTHER HEADER WAR....PLEASE
Considering how good our exhaust manifolds are with their individual runners, kinda like shorty headers now, has anyone kept them and just replaced the cats with off-road pipes?
I know, equal length, long primary, merge collectors "should" outperform them, but really.... $1500 to $2000 systems are showing what, 10 to 15 hp increase on top of a tune and CAI?
If I can get 2/3 of that gain with two pieces of 3" pipe I'd consider that a worthwhile gain.
Has anybody tried this, or will I be the first?
Considering how good our exhaust manifolds are with their individual runners, kinda like shorty headers now, has anyone kept them and just replaced the cats with off-road pipes?
I know, equal length, long primary, merge collectors "should" outperform them, but really.... $1500 to $2000 systems are showing what, 10 to 15 hp increase on top of a tune and CAI?
If I can get 2/3 of that gain with two pieces of 3" pipe I'd consider that a worthwhile gain.
Has anybody tried this, or will I be the first?
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13,975
Likes: 980
From: Clinton Township MI
C7 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
NOT ANOTHER HEADER WAR....PLEASE
Considering how good our exhaust manifolds are with their individual runners, kinda like shorty headers now, has anyone kept them and just replaced the cats with off-road pipes?
I know, equal length, long primary, merge collectors "should" outperform them, but really.... $1500 to $2000 systems are showing what, 10 to 15 hp increase on top of a tune and CAI?
If I can get 2/3 of that gain with two pieces of 3" pipe I'd consider that a worthwhile gain.
Has anybody tried this, or will I be the first?
Considering how good our exhaust manifolds are with their individual runners, kinda like shorty headers now, has anyone kept them and just replaced the cats with off-road pipes?
I know, equal length, long primary, merge collectors "should" outperform them, but really.... $1500 to $2000 systems are showing what, 10 to 15 hp increase on top of a tune and CAI?
If I can get 2/3 of that gain with two pieces of 3" pipe I'd consider that a worthwhile gain.
Has anybody tried this, or will I be the first?
We saw 40rwhp with headers and a tune on our Mustang dyno and we are conservative.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
I believe there is another reason to consider buying headers, aside from the horsepower gain and that has to do with the benefits of better air flow from the exhaust. No doubt this can only add to overall engine longevity
...as long as there's no added NOS, cam, heads, supercharger, turbos....
...as long as there's no added NOS, cam, heads, supercharger, turbos....
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 8,392
Likes: 573
From: Dallas Tx
St. Jude Vendor Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
BINGO. This was on our Dynojet Dyno, but regardless of the dyno it is about the increase over stock baseline.
The header wars are nothing but an argument over personal preference and bias.
I am biased.
LG
(The header photo shown in my sig are for a C5.)
The header wars are nothing but an argument over personal preference and bias.
I am biased.
LG
(The header photo shown in my sig are for a C5.)
Last edited by LG Motorsports; Apr 8, 2007 at 01:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 125
From: NY-South Florida
I agree with Lou.
We have installed all three of the "players" headers on ZO6's. They all perform about the same. 35-45 is about an average with either set and a good tune.
Where the headers seem to shine is more torque in the mid range with a tune!
Howard
We have installed all three of the "players" headers on ZO6's. They all perform about the same. 35-45 is about an average with either set and a good tune.
Where the headers seem to shine is more torque in the mid range with a tune!
Howard
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Maybe I didn't state it correctly. It seems people are getting about 30 rwhp (+/-) with a tune and a CAI. Add headers to the mix and you are seeing 40 to 45 over stock. So.... seeing that gains aren't cumulative, 25 from a tune and 15 from an intake don't add to 40, more like 30, then adding headers to that mix doesn't add very much, mabye 10 to 15 more.
As so, maybe just cutting the restrictive cats off will give nearly the same results.
Has anybody tried it?
As so, maybe just cutting the restrictive cats off will give nearly the same results.
Has anybody tried it?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,064
Likes: 769
From: Kick "A" then takin' a nap
If your going go through the trouble just put on headers
You have a shorty header that goes into the exhaust piece that holds the cats that then goes into the H-pipe.
Talk someone into making a exhaust piece without the cat or with a high flow cat and be the first to report back with your findings.
You have a shorty header that goes into the exhaust piece that holds the cats that then goes into the H-pipe.
Talk someone into making a exhaust piece without the cat or with a high flow cat and be the first to report back with your findings.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: South TX
Maybe I didn't state it correctly. It seems people are getting about 30 rwhp (+/-) with a tune and a CAI. Add headers to the mix and you are seeing 40 to 45 over stock. So.... seeing that gains aren't cumulative, 25 from a tune and 15 from an intake don't add to 40, more like 30, then adding headers to that mix doesn't add very much, mabye 10 to 15 more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 125
From: NY-South Florida
Don't loose site of "power under the curve". Peak numbers don't always tell the tale. The headers bring power up in areas that street cars live in. This is what makes a street car feel strong. Believe it or not but 10-15 FTlbs is quite noticeable. If it is throughout most of the usuable power band its worth it!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 47
From: Gibsonton FL.
This is just one instance. Probably other stories out there with much different outcome.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
jbp: Your response is exactly what I am talking about. Although rocks can be thrown at your results (different cars, different days, etc.) to summarize: adding headers to a modded Z only adds a small amount of HP. Thanks for posting.
My plan is to run some more miles with my tune, make sure it is happy: low negative LTFT's, zero KR. Dyno it, then chop those buggers off and retune, then dyno again.
My plan is to run some more miles with my tune, make sure it is happy: low negative LTFT's, zero KR. Dyno it, then chop those buggers off and retune, then dyno again.