Are headers worth it?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,904
Likes: 205
From: Kern County CA
Are headers worth it?
I want a more aggressive sound than the stock exhaust can provide. I currently have the baffles opened all the time with the switch, and that's not enough. Please chime in and let me know what your opinions are on the following choices:
[1] Electric cutouts: had them on my C5Z, great sound, convenient switch. Might do this again.
[2] Headers: seems like lots of $ for not much gain, maybe I'm wrong.
[3] Catback: my least favorite of the 3 choices, lowest return for the money spent. Seems like I can get better sound with the cutouts than the catback, for far less $.
Thanks,
[1] Electric cutouts: had them on my C5Z, great sound, convenient switch. Might do this again.
[2] Headers: seems like lots of $ for not much gain, maybe I'm wrong.
[3] Catback: my least favorite of the 3 choices, lowest return for the money spent. Seems like I can get better sound with the cutouts than the catback, for far less $.
Thanks,
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,887
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
1) I'm considering myself. Makes good sound and is controllable.
2) Headers are definitely worth the money for the gain. Typically 25-30RWHP and nearly that in torque. I won't do headers because of the emissions issues with CAT relocation.
3) CAT back systems are great noise makers and look cool but IMHO no bang for the buck in the HP dept.
2) Headers are definitely worth the money for the gain. Typically 25-30RWHP and nearly that in torque. I won't do headers because of the emissions issues with CAT relocation.
3) CAT back systems are great noise makers and look cool but IMHO no bang for the buck in the HP dept.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Headers sound like a great idea, but for a street car they are a waste of money. Racing/track use, is a different story.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Kentucky
I want a more aggressive sound than the stock exhaust can provide. I currently have the baffles opened all the time with the switch, and that's not enough. Please chime in and let me know what your opinions are on the following choices:
[1] Electric cutouts: had them on my C5Z, great sound, convenient switch. Might do this again.
[2] Headers: seems like lots of $ for not much gain, maybe I'm wrong.
[3] Catback: my least favorite of the 3 choices, lowest return for the money spent. Seems like I can get better sound with the cutouts than the catback, for far less $.
Thanks,
[1] Electric cutouts: had them on my C5Z, great sound, convenient switch. Might do this again.
[2] Headers: seems like lots of $ for not much gain, maybe I'm wrong.
[3] Catback: my least favorite of the 3 choices, lowest return for the money spent. Seems like I can get better sound with the cutouts than the catback, for far less $.
Thanks,
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,904
Likes: 205
From: Kern County CA
If I go the headers route, a CAI, then a tune is a must-do follow-up. I have what, 7 years?, until smog time in CA. Install cost is around $500, I'm willing to spend that to put the OEM stuff back for smog time.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,887
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
I want a more aggressive sound than the stock exhaust can provide. I currently have the baffles opened all the time with the switch, and that's not enough. Please chime in and let me know what your opinions are on the following choices:
[1] Electric cutouts: had them on my C5Z, great sound, convenient switch. Might do this again.
[2] Headers: seems like lots of $ for not much gain, maybe I'm wrong.
[3] Catback: my least favorite of the 3 choices, lowest return for the money spent. Seems like I can get better sound with the cutouts than the catback, for far less $.
Thanks,
[1] Electric cutouts: had them on my C5Z, great sound, convenient switch. Might do this again.
[2] Headers: seems like lots of $ for not much gain, maybe I'm wrong.
[3] Catback: my least favorite of the 3 choices, lowest return for the money spent. Seems like I can get better sound with the cutouts than the catback, for far less $.
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 3
From: Goleta California
I would have to disagree, search the forum or check with some of the header manufacturers. My car started at 350's rwhp and I ended up wtih 400 rehp and 393 rwtq with headers CAI, ported stock intake and a tune. I did everything but the tune. Total cost was just under 2500 bucks. The headers alone before the tune gave me about 25 rwhp increase. My dyno sheet is posted on Cory Harris's ls2portworks website if you want to look.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Some people don't want to modify their car while others do. There is no wrong or right. I enjoyed driving my stock C6 but I enjoy driving my modified C6 about a hundred times more. IMO headers (and modding my car) are well worth it.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Louisville Kentucky
I'm sliding down the slippery slope here. I know headers will give a great sound, along with power gain, how much gain I don't know for sure. I heard another Z with headers running alongside my car last night and it sounded awesome. I asked the driver how much HP/TQ gain, he said something and took off. Too loud for me to hear. If I go the headers route, a CAI, then a tune is a must-do follow-up. I have what, 7 years?, until smog time in CA. Install cost is around $500, I'm willing to spend that to put the OEM stuff back for smog time.
If I go the headers route, a CAI, then a tune is a must-do follow-up. I have what, 7 years?, until smog time in CA. Install cost is around $500, I'm willing to spend that to put the OEM stuff back for smog time.Last edited by VetteNo2; Aug 18, 2007 at 10:54 AM.