Both!
Meth or headers?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
Meth or headers?
I know the headers will cost more up front but I won't have to maintain the system or buy any meth.
I have a 2011 super charged GS.
I can't wait to hear what you guys think.
Robin
I have a 2011 super charged GS.
I can't wait to hear what you guys think.
Robin
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
How much boost? How much timing? What kind of fuel?
They both are going to help more than likely, but it depends on what you want from the car.
Good points on headers is that there is nothing to re-fill. It is always there, and they always work. You don't have to worry about making sure the Meth is there, or if the meth pump is working. Helps reduce chamber temps by killing some back pressure in the exhaust making the car run more efficiently. Removes weight. Increases torque.
Good point about the meth, if it is timing limited then you can generally see good gains from it. You can generally run more boost with meth on pump than without. If you want to make your car meth dependent then you can typically really crank up the boost.
No real downside to a header other than it would make the car louder if you are wanting to keep it quiet. Will require a re-tune
Downsides to a meth kit, is keeping methanol around to fill it. Adds weight. Requires a more involved tune and someone familiar with how it works. Risk of pump failure (if tuned correctly this shouldn't be an issue). Adds weight. Typically you loose your windshield washer.
They both are going to help more than likely, but it depends on what you want from the car.
Good points on headers is that there is nothing to re-fill. It is always there, and they always work. You don't have to worry about making sure the Meth is there, or if the meth pump is working. Helps reduce chamber temps by killing some back pressure in the exhaust making the car run more efficiently. Removes weight. Increases torque.
Good point about the meth, if it is timing limited then you can generally see good gains from it. You can generally run more boost with meth on pump than without. If you want to make your car meth dependent then you can typically really crank up the boost.
No real downside to a header other than it would make the car louder if you are wanting to keep it quiet. Will require a re-tune
Downsides to a meth kit, is keeping methanol around to fill it. Adds weight. Requires a more involved tune and someone familiar with how it works. Risk of pump failure (if tuned correctly this shouldn't be an issue). Adds weight. Typically you loose your windshield washer.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
It's a Callaway. I think they are 7 lbs.
I use premium and I am sure their is methonal in it.
I can retune it and think I should regardless of which way I go.
Robin
I use premium and I am sure their is methonal in it.
I can retune it and think I should regardless of which way I go.
Robin
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 391
From: Martinez CA
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 20
From: Tennessee
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
I just want to be a little faster than the above poster.
ZO6Fl
I know think maybe the way to go is bump the psi up too 8 from 6 with a pulley.
Robin
ZO6Fl
I know think maybe the way to go is bump the psi up too 8 from 6 with a pulley.
Robin
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
+1. Headers will lower your PSI but not power. I would recommend this as a solid upgrade and a supporting mod for future power adders. And at some point consider meth to lower your IATs or equally as good, an E85 conversion for additional power, cooling and tuning/timing benefits.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
If I am understanding this. You are saying to do the headers and the pulley at the same time just to keep it around the same boost or bump it a little?
Thanks,
Robin
Thanks,
Robin
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
Your boost level is somewhat based upon restriction. The more free flowing your setup is the lower your PSI will potentially be utilizing the same size pulley. Example, I had a Vortech Si on my stock longblock LS7(stock exhaust too) and it made 5.2PSI with 4" pulley. When I added LT headers the boost was lowered about 1-2PSI but made more power(mostly due the ability to add more timing on the tune). Obviously, it's safer to run less PSI than more PSI. Anyways, the general rule of thumb is for every .2" decrease in pulley size you can expect a 2PSI increase. Bottom line, putting headers on would probably lower your PSI but allow you to make more power and it would be slightly safer. Meth or E85 would also add a layer of protection due to it's cooling ability. However, I think headers would be a better first mod(however, if you ask 10 of us you will get 10 different opinions LOL). I hope this helps!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
I forgot to fully answer your question LOL. If you want to keep your boost level the same you will need to buy a smaller pulley. However, that doesn't necessarily dictate your power level. What was mentioned by another, is that you could keep the same pulley, add headers which would slightly lower your PSI but increase your power level.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
Thanks for that information.
My research tells me I can expect 40ish from the headers and 40ish from the .2 minus pulley.
Let's say 80 total. As the psi will go down with the headers I assume that will drop my total increase by some percentage. Do I need a drilled intake or is that moot with the supercharger and not touching heads?
Back to the meth question. If I do,meth,pulley and headers at the same time. Can I add another 40 hp/tq for the meth?
My total around an additional 120?
Thanks,
Robin
My research tells me I can expect 40ish from the headers and 40ish from the .2 minus pulley.
Let's say 80 total. As the psi will go down with the headers I assume that will drop my total increase by some percentage. Do I need a drilled intake or is that moot with the supercharger and not touching heads?
Back to the meth question. If I do,meth,pulley and headers at the same time. Can I add another 40 hp/tq for the meth?
My total around an additional 120?
Thanks,
Robin
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
Thanks for that information.
My research tells me I can expect 40ish from the headers and 40ish from the .2 minus pulley.
Let's say 80 total. As the psi will go down with the headers I assume that will drop my total increase by some percentage. Do I need a drilled intake or is that moot with the supercharger and not touching heads?
Back to the meth question. If I do,meth,pulley and headers at the same time. Can I add another 40 hp/tq for the meth?
My total around an additional 120?
Thanks,
Robin
My research tells me I can expect 40ish from the headers and 40ish from the .2 minus pulley.
Let's say 80 total. As the psi will go down with the headers I assume that will drop my total increase by some percentage. Do I need a drilled intake or is that moot with the supercharger and not touching heads?
Back to the meth question. If I do,meth,pulley and headers at the same time. Can I add another 40 hp/tq for the meth?
My total around an additional 120?
Thanks,
Robin
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 721
Likes: 36
the way I like to remember it is boost in itself is not power. The engine is an air pump--right? what you get in --you have to get out. IMHO I would not have a sc kit without headers and port work.
meth is tricky--you will be running a triple fuel car---meth(and water), ethanol and gasoline and unless you can increase your timing you will lose a little power...but your valves will be very clean! Tuning can get very complicated and if you plan on just doing a methanol port in the intake you have to worry about equal distribution.
A street car with meth ( and I have had one) is a headache. But I am old and don't want to be bothered anyway.
meth is tricky--you will be running a triple fuel car---meth(and water), ethanol and gasoline and unless you can increase your timing you will lose a little power...but your valves will be very clean! Tuning can get very complicated and if you plan on just doing a methanol port in the intake you have to worry about equal distribution.
A street car with meth ( and I have had one) is a headache. But I am old and don't want to be bothered anyway.
Last edited by olddragger; Feb 17, 2016 at 02:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 194
From: palm harbor/murphy Fl/NC
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
Thanks for that info.
I have ruled out meth.
I am thinking the answer is headers and the next size down pulley and a tune. That should get me to about 690 at the crank. If..... I get 80 from the mods.
Thanks
Robin
I have ruled out meth.
I am thinking the answer is headers and the next size down pulley and a tune. That should get me to about 690 at the crank. If..... I get 80 from the mods.
Thanks
Robin
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 315
Likes: 14
Thanks for that information.
My research tells me I can expect 40ish from the headers and 40ish from the .2 minus pulley.
Let's say 80 total. As the psi will go down with the headers I assume that will drop my total increase by some percentage. Do I need a drilled intake or is that moot with the supercharger and not touching heads?
Back to the meth question. If I do,meth,pulley and headers at the same time. Can I add another 40 hp/tq for the meth?
My total around an additional 120?
Thanks,
Robin
My research tells me I can expect 40ish from the headers and 40ish from the .2 minus pulley.
Let's say 80 total. As the psi will go down with the headers I assume that will drop my total increase by some percentage. Do I need a drilled intake or is that moot with the supercharger and not touching heads?
Back to the meth question. If I do,meth,pulley and headers at the same time. Can I add another 40 hp/tq for the meth?
My total around an additional 120?
Thanks,
Robin
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I'm still on stock Z06 exhaust from front to back