Poll: Headers or no Headers
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,093
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
In virginia there are hassles with emissions? I know the headers dont change jack as far as actual emissions and they pass smog tests anywhere so do you mean there is a visual inspection they fail? They dont make a car run dirty.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 1
From: TORONTO
Headers
My dealer installed my American Racing Headers and said if a problem arises that is not related to the headers NOT TO WORRY. I have read it before on here, get to know your friendly tech at your dealership.
HE is your warranty in most cases.
HE is your warranty in most cases.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 75
From: Maryland
Headers don't impact warranty if you have a reasonable dealer interested in you as a repeat customer. Headers also have no functional impact on emission results; in Maryland cars are tested to a Federal IM240 specification which is an dyno load test.
They also use mirrors to check under your car looking for cats. I have Random Technology bullet cats on 2 different corvettes and both have passed visual and load testing with no problems for the last 7 years. My cars with headers, bullet cats, and dyno tunes are actually cleaner (<CO2) now than when dealer delivered.
I'm not too worried about the visual test either; at least not until they start using a GUI to show the technician what the cats should look like and where they should be located.
As far as reliability, with Jet Hot coating and plug wire shield the headers look nice, stay clean and cool, and have never been a problem. With stock mufflers they sound just a bit loader than stock. With Corsa's they sound nice.
They also use mirrors to check under your car looking for cats. I have Random Technology bullet cats on 2 different corvettes and both have passed visual and load testing with no problems for the last 7 years. My cars with headers, bullet cats, and dyno tunes are actually cleaner (<CO2) now than when dealer delivered.
I'm not too worried about the visual test either; at least not until they start using a GUI to show the technician what the cats should look like and where they should be located.
As far as reliability, with Jet Hot coating and plug wire shield the headers look nice, stay clean and cool, and have never been a problem. With stock mufflers they sound just a bit loader than stock. With Corsa's they sound nice.
