I'm thinking of having AR Headers installed on my '05/M6 at Carlisle. Anyone have experience with these headers? Ease of fit; any cutting or grinding required; noticable power increase? Also, I'm running Corsa Sports with X-Pipe.....any thoughts on how much louder the exhaust would be? Finally, if you had them installed, was a tune necessary, i.e. did they throw any codes?

 

Get the tune, cats are moved if you run with them. I have the same system and am told that 1500 rpm drones present. Not bad for me alone but will bother a sensitive ear on a longer rides.

 

Just use a different gear when you get drone.

 

I have ARH headers. I was going to have mine installed at Carlisle last year but I got almost the same deal by going to ECS and they really know their stuff when it comes to these headers and tuning of LSx engines. I believe they did cut a really small piece out under my car. Since you are in NJ I'd suggest giving them a call to see if they can match the Carlisle price. Having them done at Carlisle may be a bit cheaper but from what I saw last year it would be a PITA (just due to the crowds and heat). Plus, IMO ECS is one of the best tuners in the area and I wanted their dyno tune over a canned tune that was available at Carlisle. We are lucky in the NE to have so many great shops to choose from.

After a year I have had no issues with my headers or my tune and when I added a ported TB ECS verified that my tune did not need modifying. Doug actually spent a good bit of time with my car when I asked him to check out the tune after my TB install and he didn't charge me. Good guys at ECS and I would not hesitate to give them my highest recomendation.

Oh and yes, you need a tune to get the most out of a LT header install IMHO. You are also likely to get a CEL without a tune as having the rear O2's moved further back keeps them from getting as hot as they are suppose to and may set the CEL with a "rear O2 sensor not ready" code. The headers did make my car a lot louder with the NPP open but as was said, if you get a lot of drone just use a different gear. Mine tends to drone around 1800 RPM with the NPP open. With the NPP closed I don't notice any drone.

 

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this, Well says the Doctor then don't do this anymore and you won't have any problems"
I would have solved the problem a bit differently. You will get a drone with headers in my experiance. I was able to negate the loud drone by using a different muffler system. I shut down the lound noise while the top is up and open it up with the top down. I'm sure with a coupe you'll want to run with it closed on long road trips. Just seems to be a small down side with installing headers. I installed them myself and had to trim a small fold of metal for the passenger side to allow for clearance. It was a pretty easy job to do. Yes you should get a tune to get better performance out of your new headers.

 

Thanks for the notes....I do know the reputation of ECS & it wouldn't be too much of a drive for me to get to their shop. I also know exactly what you mean about having work done at Carlisle.....can be a zoo sometimes. Still have to give it some thought....

 

We run AR Headers on our C5 as well as our C6 Z06. They are the best hands down!!!!

 

Yup!! - Pfadt guys are good people to deal with!!

 

I would get drone at 55-60 with a MaganFlow and B&B headers in 6th gear. If I put it in 5th, the RPMs are at around 2,200 and the drone goes away. I don't see 2,200 as hurting the car and I still get the sound I like at other speeds.

I have a friend with AR and has similar issue and solved the same way. With all the combinations of headers and cat back systems out there, it is going to be tough to say what will and won't have drone. Just my 2 cents.

 

We just recently started carrying ARH exhaust components and have been extremely pleased with their products. Fitment is excellent!

 

The Better Header................

 

AR Headers will have their own X-Pipe, so you could keep the your current one in case you switch back to OEM, or sell it here in the C6 parts forum. As far as drone, I have none. It's not usually the headers that could cause drone, it's the exhaust chambers.

 

The BEST Header, and the BEST customer service as well!

 

I installed my AR headers, and no issues at all. I can't comment on the drone because I installed BB bullets at the same time.

I do have cats, but I still got a CEL. But got a tune and the rear 02's were turned off.

 

great customer service, no drone with my setup, NPP's and X pipe.

 

Great combination!
I had American Racing headers and Corsa Sport mufflers on my 05. No drone anywhere. It is quite loud if you put your foot into it, but very mild when just cruising. Also, it is loud for the first few seconds when you start it in the morning and then quiets right down.

Like one of the other posters said, your headers will come with a new X pipe and you have a choice with or without cats (I recommend with cats).

 

I have ARH on my '05. If had three different mufflers. I started out with the stock mufflers, then went to GM Performance and now I have Z06 NPP mufflers. They all have a little drone but I love the sound of the Z mufflers with MTW. I had mine installed by Tom Wong. He didn't have to cut anything on the car and they fit like a glove.