Best Header for Supercharged LS3?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
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Best Header for Supercharged LS3?
I remember reading somewhere (I think in GM High Tech Performance magazine) that the stock LS9 header system makes more power with a P/D style blower on a LS3 vette than aftermarket long tubes. Is that the case? Is anyone on here running the stock LS9 or LS7 headers with a blower?
If not, which headers are you guys with E-force,TVS, etc running and how much did they pick you up?
I know that in theory long tubes and particularly, the Tri-Y headers (like the Pfadts) are designed to scavenge the exhaust gases in N/A applications, but obviously that's not needed with a positive displacement blower. I am therefore wondering if the LS9 header with its shorter primaries, isn't the better choice for a blower setup.
If not, which headers are you guys with E-force,TVS, etc running and how much did they pick you up?
I know that in theory long tubes and particularly, the Tri-Y headers (like the Pfadts) are designed to scavenge the exhaust gases in N/A applications, but obviously that's not needed with a positive displacement blower. I am therefore wondering if the LS9 header with its shorter primaries, isn't the better choice for a blower setup.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
Those are what i'm looking at. they look like the nicest headers out there and after I started this thread i did a search and saw someone reporting on the ZR1 forum that they're running those on a ZR1 and picked up power, so I guess that answers my question. If it improves the ZR1s power with the bigger X-pipe and all, it must be even better on a GS with going to the bigger X-pipe on the Pfadts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,375
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From: Somewhere in the Mid 9's TX
OBX. Worked great on my LS3. I'm going to buy another set when I buy a C6Z. Fit and finish was as good as any major brand header at 2 1/2 times the cost and I put them through a beating.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,375
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From: Somewhere in the Mid 9's TX
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Wilmington NC
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,984
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From: Amityville New York
Buy once and don't look back, I did the ARH 2" with my LS3 supercharged and I am restricting my power to 816RWHP. I understand its all about who can brag about a choice of headers more but I am also letting you know, cheap things are not always good and good things are not always cheap.
ARH are all American made, its made in my neighbourhood and its all about making jobs here, the man behind the products is genuine. Nick will do anything to help anyone who ask for his help.
ARH are all American made, its made in my neighbourhood and its all about making jobs here, the man behind the products is genuine. Nick will do anything to help anyone who ask for his help.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 407
Likes: 11
From: Mooresville North Carolina
We've had really good luck with 1 7/8's Kooks. We just did a magnacharger on a 2004 C5 with Kooks 2 inch headers. The car really made more power than it should and was really torquey and gutsy everywhere. I prefer a stainless header over non stainless.
http://pcmofnc.com/index.php/blog/42-builds/168-1324
http://pcmofnc.com/index.php/blog/42-builds/168-1324
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Last edited by Alvin@PCMofNC; Apr 18, 2013 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
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Sounds like most folks are running long tubes with larger primaries and making good power with them. I run the ARH 1 7/8" on my Sierra Denali. (I've run a 7.89 in the 1/8 on a 175hp shot of N2O). The quality is very good and the install was easy, even though its an AWD. The only complaint I had was that one of the primaries on the drivers side slightly rubbed the collapsible joint on the steering when the engine would torque a bit and I didn't discover it until after I bought a new steering rack because I thought that had gone bad. I've never run a S/C setup on the street before. All my street vehicles have been nitrous setups. But I think the principle is the same, bigger is better, although the nitrous setups can benefit more from scavenging from long tubes.
I think I' m going to wait a bit and see if Pfadt makes a set of headers with bigger primaries for the vettes, because I really like the look and quality they have.
I think I' m going to wait a bit and see if Pfadt makes a set of headers with bigger primaries for the vettes, because I really like the look and quality they have.
