Will adding headers increase sound?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 847
Likes: 9
From: Beaumont Tx
Will adding headers increase sound?
Forgive me guys for droning on, but I know that you all have either done it before or know how so I'm asking regarding my exhaust. OK, currently I have the following pic installed and I want it louder. It's the flowmaster 17416 american thunder and I love the dual look and really don't want to bother with removing/replacing them so now I'm looking into headers. I'm not interested so much in an increase in HP, but more with a louder, throatier sounding exhaust. Will the headers make it louder?
thanks
John
thanks
John
Last edited by Prodago; Mar 18, 2008 at 04:12 PM. Reason: forgot to add pic
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 573
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Yes it will increase in sound. The stock cast iron manifolds "keep the sound in" if you will...and the new stainless headers will flow better. Bigger when talking about exhaust usually means more power and more sound.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
It will get a lot louder, especially at WOT. If all you want is the sound, then just get whichever headers you can get the best price on...the tone and volume wont change much regardless of which headers you use.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 57,804
Likes: 1
From: Portrichey FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: DFW Texas
Headers will make the car louder... but headers are a very expensive mod for sound only...
IMHO, headers are great and improve the performance of the car, but for sound only it's a little bit much to pay.
Keep in mind that headers aren't cheap (around 1500-1800 depending on flavor) to have them installed won't be cheap (usually around 500 bucks) unless you do it yourself and it's not an easy job for somebody who is not familiar with it or has at least moderate mechanical experience. In addition, there is a good chance (maybe 50/50 from what I've read here) that you'll get a check engine light form the rear O2 sensors. This means that you'll be running rich, the light will be on and you won't pass inspection until you get a tune. A good tune will cost another 300-600 depending on where you go. And on top of it all, there is a decent chance that some if not a good portion of dealers will void your powertrain warranty due to the mods. All of this for more sound. If you ask me, it's not worth it and that your car probably sounds find the way it is.
IMHO, headers are great and improve the performance of the car, but for sound only it's a little bit much to pay.
Keep in mind that headers aren't cheap (around 1500-1800 depending on flavor) to have them installed won't be cheap (usually around 500 bucks) unless you do it yourself and it's not an easy job for somebody who is not familiar with it or has at least moderate mechanical experience. In addition, there is a good chance (maybe 50/50 from what I've read here) that you'll get a check engine light form the rear O2 sensors. This means that you'll be running rich, the light will be on and you won't pass inspection until you get a tune. A good tune will cost another 300-600 depending on where you go. And on top of it all, there is a decent chance that some if not a good portion of dealers will void your powertrain warranty due to the mods. All of this for more sound. If you ask me, it's not worth it and that your car probably sounds find the way it is.
Last edited by MaxOctane; Mar 18, 2008 at 04:45 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield Michigan
If all you want is loud then get some BB bullets. They'll be all the "loud" you need. Much cheaper and much less "bother" than headers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 847
Likes: 9
From: Beaumont Tx
you're probably right. However I did find some slp coated long tube headers for $753 shipped. But then the install etc. That's why I'm probing everyone on here about what to do. I really like the dual look and the Flows that I have already are about the only ones I've seen that offer them. All the others are quad, which IMHO are sooooo dated looking. I agree with your post....except the part that "my car probably sounds fine the way it is"...Kinda presumptuous isn't it? But I do thank you for your opinion as it was what I asked for. 
I've just install my flows and so it will probably be awhile before I do anything else. I always exhaust all resources before making a purchase and I was very disappointed when I first cranked it after the install as I was thinking that I could "check" that off my things to do list. thanks to all for you input.
John
I've just install my flows and so it will probably be awhile before I do anything else. I always exhaust all resources before making a purchase and I was very disappointed when I first cranked it after the install as I was thinking that I could "check" that off my things to do list. thanks to all for you input.
John
Last edited by Prodago; Mar 18, 2008 at 04:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 847
Likes: 9
From: Beaumont Tx
point taken as I was replying to the guy who posted before you but I forgot to "quote" him. I think you're both right. Stay away from headers.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
Currently it makes 525rwhp/500rwtq. So I don't think cats are a bad thing at all. I also think they quiet your exhaust a little. To be honest I don't remember if the headers increased exhaust noise at all. So I'm no help there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 847
Likes: 9
From: Beaumont Tx
thanks
John
Last edited by Prodago; Mar 20, 2008 at 06:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
ok, new to this whole "cut-out thing" but Thats the sound the I'm looking for. The car in that youtube video has to have more to it that just the muffler cut outs huh? If not, then Can someone educated me on how to do it. It looks like they are dumping the exhaust before it reaches the mufflers. If so, wouldn't that mess with the computer somehow?
thanks
John
thanks
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
Here's a link so you can see how they are setup....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1628234
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1628234
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Frankfurt, Germany
Headers will make the car louder... but headers are a very expensive mod for sound only...
IMHO, headers are great and improve the performance of the car, but for sound only it's a little bit much to pay.
Keep in mind that headers aren't cheap (around 1500-1800 depending on flavor) to have them installed won't be cheap (usually around 500 bucks) unless you do it yourself and it's not an easy job for somebody who is not familiar with it or has at least moderate mechanical experience. In addition, there is a good chance (maybe 50/50 from what I've read here) that you'll get a check engine light form the rear O2 sensors. This means that you'll be running rich, the light will be on and you won't pass inspection until you get a tune. A good tune will cost another 300-600 depending on where you go. And on top of it all, there is a decent chance that some if not a good portion of dealers will void your powertrain warranty due to the mods. All of this for more sound. If you ask me, it's not worth it and that your car probably sounds find the way it is.
IMHO, headers are great and improve the performance of the car, but for sound only it's a little bit much to pay.
Keep in mind that headers aren't cheap (around 1500-1800 depending on flavor) to have them installed won't be cheap (usually around 500 bucks) unless you do it yourself and it's not an easy job for somebody who is not familiar with it or has at least moderate mechanical experience. In addition, there is a good chance (maybe 50/50 from what I've read here) that you'll get a check engine light form the rear O2 sensors. This means that you'll be running rich, the light will be on and you won't pass inspection until you get a tune. A good tune will cost another 300-600 depending on where you go. And on top of it all, there is a decent chance that some if not a good portion of dealers will void your powertrain warranty due to the mods. All of this for more sound. If you ask me, it's not worth it and that your car probably sounds find the way it is.
