XC6VETTE

I would appreciate any help regarding C6 Z06 aftermarket headers. Seems clear to me (from posts) is that if your gonna do a cam you'll need to do headers in order to realize the benefit (hp) of the cam. OK, I get it....assuming improved intake, along with more engine power (cam), you'll need better exhaust (including headers) to leverage or balance the system....right?

But, what/if any, is the benefit of adding (just) headers....over and above intake and tune? A respected Forum vendor has recently posted that headers are the next logical upgrade after intake and tune...even after stipulating that the stock headers are quite good and aftermarket only bring 5-8 additional hp.
So

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To be honest, the car is already wonderfully responsive and fast. I just find myself chasing the old school sound.....but don't want to break into the engine and risk my warranty....

Thanks in advance for any comments/thoughts/recommendations.

0Myhardtop

Mr. XC5Vette,

Your above insertion is correct, however, if your goal is to make 498 to 508rwhp with out getting inside the engine, then you will need headers.

None of our bolt-ons car made 500 to 510rwhp w/o headers, and the one cam car made 512 w/o headers (he lost 40rwhp w/cam and w/o the headers)

Thanks,
Carlos

GrillnZ

No lie? I wasn't planning on doing headers since most saw negligible gains. Did the car have stock exhaust?

tjwong

The last Z06 that I worked on that had headers, Corsas and a CAI and a dyno tune only netted 32hp gain over stock. Some of that was attributed to retuning the PCM and the rest was with the headers and mufflers. I don't know what the actual gain is if any was due to the rear Corsas. Jason at Katech says there is only 5hp or so to the wheels with a set of Corsas on a Z. Personally I would prefer to sacrifice the Hp and keep my car quiet and save $1k+ for the Corsas.

Installing a set of headers with high flow CATs will increase the noise level some but not much. I will be modifying my personal Z soon. I may just bolt on the headers first, then dyno it to see what gains I got from headers only. But I have been so busy lately that I can't seem to find the time to work on my own car. Not to mention installing the headers, and removing them again when I can just do the whole head and cam package all at once. Instead of installing each peice, testing and doing it again.

Mako7

headers make a noticeable difference in terms of torque, hp and sound even on a stock tuned motor. I have LGM headers & high flow cats, tune, K & N intake and stock exhaust and it is night and day difference in sound and power. Corsas add weigh and -0- power and run about $1500. They are a high quality product and may cut resonance, but you would add these only for sound. You will not need the car meaner sounding with headers and stock exhaust.

The people whinning about headers are those that do not want to drop the $2000 for the headers, high-flow cats and install. This is understandable.

You will get some low rpm drone on easy throttle roll-ons below 2000 rpms with headers. This is only really an issue with highway crusing as you will be in 5th rather than 6th to avoid the drone unless you are crusining at 85mph or above.

Good luck on your choices!

BobDVC8

Some of us are whining about the headers because we only saw minimal (very) gain. The Z06 already has outstanding flow. On my 06 Z51 I saw a 9 hp gain. On my 2007 Z06 I got 2 hp. Thats it. Thats all. The sound was great but not worth it on a stock (just tuning and airbox) motor.

427Z

hmmmm

2 completely conflicting accounts regarding headers.

vipervetteguy

I've repeatedly, on different dynos, put down over 490 (with my highest 496/471, corrected) I have LGs, no cats and Halltech tune. I don't recall seeing other's numbers, w/o headers, being close to that. (at least not within 2hp) The large torque gains in the midrange are even more important to me than those peak numbers. Longtubes (catless) yield an awesome shriek at WOT!

Still need to dyno now that we've installed the KB.

OOps.... also had F1.

427Z

i'd like to see catted LT cars compared to stock as the stock system obviously has cats. comparing cat-less LT numbers to catted stock seems kind of unfair

fperra

GrillnZ

vipervetteguy

I actually agree with you, but haven't seen that comparison. I'm thinking catless is only worth a few hp, though.

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

Nice work


Here is a LG Pro car WITH cats, K&N, and tune.


We are typically only seeing a 2-5rwhp loss with the cats.

vipervetteguy

What does he mean by "nice work'?

427Z

Anthony,

do you have a filter/tune car you could post a dyno sheet for or over lay it on the one already posted?

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

Good Dyno numbers...hitting almost 500rwhp with just headers and a tune.

0Myhardtop

No lie my friend....no lie!

Yes, we installed his original 2007 units back on the car and noticed the drop in performance. We are re-installing his headers/X-pipe combo as soon as he returns from a business trip.

My honest advise: do all the basic bolt-ons and mods FIRST (tuning, Killer Bee/Vette-Air, 160* stat, Ported Intake & TB and TR6 plugs...gapped between 0.32 and 0.40); leave the headers for last.

Thanks,
Carlos

6Speeder

I gained 4 peak rwhp. A friend with a different brand of headers saw 2 peak rwhp. On the flip side, both gained more than 10 ft lbs of mid range torque (below the peak). And the sound is better, deeper. But the drone is louder.

BobDVC8

I just got mine dyno'd by Carmen at Vette Doctors today. I have a tune with KB intake and am getting 490rwhp with 480 tq. And I dont have the headers. Tried in both ways. Today was very warm and extremely humid and I pulled these numbers twice.

4MuscleMachines

This is interesting, here is a post showing 509 peak HP and 484 TQ with a stock exhaust, no cam. Only bolt-ons (ported intake and TB as well) and a tune.

This is the way I want to go to achieve over 500rwhp.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1780523