Headers w/ or w/o cats?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Headers w/ or w/o cats?
Hey all,
I was pondering getting headers for my 07' Z51 and was wondering about the Cats? Do you need them to pass emissions testing? What are the benefits of having them or not having them?
Also, I was wondering what the headers sound like with stock exhaust, are they noticably louder?
I would love to have my c6 sound better (a little louder, more throaty, but not obnoxiously loud and not much drone), and was wondering what a good header exhaust combo is, if keeping the stock exhaust does not show much improvement in sound with the aftermarket headers.
Please let me know. Thank you.
I was pondering getting headers for my 07' Z51 and was wondering about the Cats? Do you need them to pass emissions testing? What are the benefits of having them or not having them?
Also, I was wondering what the headers sound like with stock exhaust, are they noticably louder?
I would love to have my c6 sound better (a little louder, more throaty, but not obnoxiously loud and not much drone), and was wondering what a good header exhaust combo is, if keeping the stock exhaust does not show much improvement in sound with the aftermarket headers.
Please let me know. Thank you.
Last edited by jdenny21; Jan 29, 2007 at 05:16 PM. Reason: typo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 1
From: DFW
techinically, yes you do need cats to pass inspection. However I have passed twice with out cats.
It you go with out cats, yes you will notice a good difference in the sound. If you go w/ cats then you will not notice enough to make you smile.
It you go with out cats, yes you will notice a good difference in the sound. If you go w/ cats then you will not notice enough to make you smile.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Hey all,
I was pondering getting headers for my 07' Z51 and was wondering about the Cats? Do you need them to pass emissions testing? What are the benefits of having them or not having them?
Also, I was wondering what the headers sound like with stock exhaust, are they noticably louder?
I would love to have my c6 sound better (a little louder, more throaty, but not obnoxiously loud and not much drone), and was wondering what a good header exhaust combo is, if keeping the stock exhaust does not show much improvement in sound with the aftermarket headers.
Please let me know. Thank you.
I was pondering getting headers for my 07' Z51 and was wondering about the Cats? Do you need them to pass emissions testing? What are the benefits of having them or not having them?
Also, I was wondering what the headers sound like with stock exhaust, are they noticably louder?
I would love to have my c6 sound better (a little louder, more throaty, but not obnoxiously loud and not much drone), and was wondering what a good header exhaust combo is, if keeping the stock exhaust does not show much improvement in sound with the aftermarket headers.
Please let me know. Thank you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton OR
Hey all,
I was pondering getting headers for my 07' Z51 and was wondering about the Cats? Do you need them to pass emissions testing?
... and was wondering what a good header exhaust combo is, if keeping the stock exhaust does not show much improvement in sound with the aftermarket headers.
Please let me know. Thank you.
I was pondering getting headers for my 07' Z51 and was wondering about the Cats? Do you need them to pass emissions testing?
... and was wondering what a good header exhaust combo is, if keeping the stock exhaust does not show much improvement in sound with the aftermarket headers.
Please let me know. Thank you.
1. Yes, they are required by Federal Law.
2. IMO, a great exhaust to add to your headers is the Corsa Sport. Not obnoxious, no drone, but loud when you want it to be.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Winter Springs FL
The headers and Corsa Sports are a good combo. I like exhast with a deeper tone, but trying to find one that doesn't kill you with headers is hard to find. I tried the Bullets with my American Racing headers, x-pipe, and high-flow cats and it sounded like a NASCAR. It was so lound inside the car, you could yell and not hear yourself at 1600rpm.
I am going back to Corsa's.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 7
From: Winfield IL
High Flow Cats
You will pass emissions as far as i know in illinois... as long as your not throwing a code (check engine light). I had headers no cats on my trans am with a tune, and i passed with no problem. BTW, they did not do a visual inspection for cats.
Personally for me i would go with high flow cats, with no cats its louder and you may pick up a few more ponies (not that much) but as far as the smell and the black soot that gets all over your back bumper... IMO its not worth it... Now that i have a vette i dont want it to be as loud as my trans am was... vettes to me are classy very nice looking sports cars, that dont need the added attention of being extra loud.
Right now i have the LG LT's with high flows going out of corsa sports... and i couldnt be happier!
Personally for me i would go with high flow cats, with no cats its louder and you may pick up a few more ponies (not that much) but as far as the smell and the black soot that gets all over your back bumper... IMO its not worth it... Now that i have a vette i dont want it to be as loud as my trans am was... vettes to me are classy very nice looking sports cars, that dont need the added attention of being extra loud.
Right now i have the LG LT's with high flows going out of corsa sports... and i couldnt be happier!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
