Headers with stock LS3 Intake...Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: Miami Lakes FL
Headers with stock LS3 Intake...Thoughts?
About to pull the trigger on some LG Street Series headers. I ran a search and have found that the LS3 stock intake is pretty efficient. Is it worth changing it out for an aftermarket one? As of now, I'm just planning on keeping the stock intake and adding the headers and a tune. Is this a good idea? Wanted to get some input first...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,375
Likes: 97
From: Somewhere in the Mid 9's TX
About to pull the trigger on some LG Street Series headers. I ran a search and have found that the LS3 stock intake is pretty efficient. Is it worth changing it out for an aftermarket one? As of now, I'm just planning on keeping the stock intake and adding the headers and a tune. Is this a good idea? Wanted to get some input first...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Also, if he just opens up his shroud he'll get PLENTY of cool air.
The LS3 intake design is great. The LS2 intake design, on the other hand, leaves a LOT to be desired
My recommendation to an LS3 owner is spend the money elsewhere and just find a way to get cool air to your stock filter setup (easiest way being propping the shroud open).
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,404
From: Bethesda MD
Just to cover all the bases for the OP, if the "stock intake", means the intake manifold, then yes keep the stock one. The LS2 intake manifold is restrictive, but the factory LS3 is pretty good for a stock cam motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: Virginia beach va
with a vararam headers and a tune I made 420 at the wheels no numbers as I didn't take it to the track. but it sounds better and pulls harder. I went with kooks 1 3/4 a buddy of mine went with 1 7/8 don't know the manufacture but he got 440 at the wheels form his
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Go for the headers. There is still a lot of debate on what good a CAI is. I've yet to see a thread doubting the added performance of adding headers. Good Luck.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: Miami Lakes FL
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
don't wanna pee on anyones parade..but no way someone is picking up 50+RWHP on just headers and a tune
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: OH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 6
From: NCCO Oklahoma
People can say what they want, but there is some power left over from the stock tune. Dan Maslic has a great book regarding EFI tuning, especially GM EFI systems.
In his book Master EFI Tuner - GM EFI he has an example of a typical 2007 C6 that has an increase from 335 HP/ 336 ft/lbs torque to 372 HP and 376 ft/lbs of torque. (Measured at the rear wheels, obviously... Mustang Dyno from what I read in the book.)
That's 37 HP and 40 ft/lbs of torque on a stock C6 with a CAI and a cat-back exhaust... no headers or other mods, as far as the book reflects.
While I'm no expert... I wonder just how much a set of headers would push that number closer to 50 HP??
I doubt it will be 440+ RWHP... but I guess that depends on which dyno you use and all of that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 26
From: Oxnard CA
30-35RWHP is average for a headers and tune only MN6 car.
But... but... but...
People can say what they want, but there is some power left over from the stock tune. Dan Maslic has a great book regarding EFI tuning, especially GM EFI systems.
In his book Master EFI Tuner - GM EFI he has an example of a typical 2007 C6 that has an increase from 335 HP/ 336 ft/lbs torque to 372 HP and 376 ft/lbs of torque. (Measured at the rear wheels, obviously... Mustang Dyno from what I read in the book.)
That's 37 HP and 40 ft/lbs of torque on a stock C6 with a CAI and a cat-back exhaust... no headers or other mods, as far as the book reflects.
While I'm no expert... I wonder just how much a set of headers would push that number closer to 50 HP??
I doubt it will be 440+ RWHP... but I guess that depends on which dyno you use and all of that.
People can say what they want, but there is some power left over from the stock tune. Dan Maslic has a great book regarding EFI tuning, especially GM EFI systems.
In his book Master EFI Tuner - GM EFI he has an example of a typical 2007 C6 that has an increase from 335 HP/ 336 ft/lbs torque to 372 HP and 376 ft/lbs of torque. (Measured at the rear wheels, obviously... Mustang Dyno from what I read in the book.)
That's 37 HP and 40 ft/lbs of torque on a stock C6 with a CAI and a cat-back exhaust... no headers or other mods, as far as the book reflects.
While I'm no expert... I wonder just how much a set of headers would push that number closer to 50 HP??
I doubt it will be 440+ RWHP... but I guess that depends on which dyno you use and all of that.
Last edited by Tom's_03SVT; Feb 17, 2011 at 01:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Tumwater, WA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Virginia beach va
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
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From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I see no reason for a 1 7/8" header on a LS2 or LS3...especially a stock one. No point in it at all.
Now as far as the cold air intakes. From what I have seen on a bone stock car they are worth 5-8 hp at the tires. Not a big gain for the money spent. Now the VaraRam's have made a bigger difference on track given the ablity to be a ram air setup on the car, but I don't use them in all setups.
If you are going to leave it a bolt on car, you will get more bang for your buck with the Street Series, which can, and do support over 450 rwhp.
Now as far as the cold air intakes. From what I have seen on a bone stock car they are worth 5-8 hp at the tires. Not a big gain for the money spent. Now the VaraRam's have made a bigger difference on track given the ablity to be a ram air setup on the car, but I don't use them in all setups.
If you are going to leave it a bolt on car, you will get more bang for your buck with the Street Series, which can, and do support over 450 rwhp.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: Miami Lakes FL
I see no reason for a 1 7/8" header on a LS2 or LS3...especially a stock one. No point in it at all.
Now as far as the cold air intakes. From what I have seen on a bone stock car they are worth 5-8 hp at the tires. Not a big gain for the money spent. Now the VaraRam's have made a bigger difference on track given the ablity to be a ram air setup on the car, but I don't use them in all setups.
If you are going to leave it a bolt on car, you will get more bang for your buck with the Street Series, which can, and do support over 450 rwhp.
Now as far as the cold air intakes. From what I have seen on a bone stock car they are worth 5-8 hp at the tires. Not a big gain for the money spent. Now the VaraRam's have made a bigger difference on track given the ablity to be a ram air setup on the car, but I don't use them in all setups.
If you are going to leave it a bolt on car, you will get more bang for your buck with the Street Series, which can, and do support over 450 rwhp.
