Feb 23, 2015, 02:40 PM
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OBX Headers yes or no....
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 134
From: Short Hills, NJ
Anything can be made/fabricated to fit, but most people that have lots of experience installing the many various types of C5 & C6 headers/X-pipes/exhaust systems will tell you that the big name header offerings usually require far less effort/manipulation to install.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 134
From: Short Hills, NJ
Unless of course they actually meant that if you were to upgrade to the FULL C6 Z06 exhaust manifolds/cats/mid pipes set up etc. That system has proven to perform very well over the standard C6 set up but in my opinion true tubular long headers with the accompanying X-pipe are still best.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Not meaning to change the subject but you dont' get these issues with the higher quality American made headers. There might be a small issue (mine was missing an 02 ext but was overnighted to me) I have always purcashed name brand quality stuff and I couldn't buy Chinese Knock offs. Glad those that do havent had too may issues.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Not meaning to change the subject but you dont' get these issues with the higher quality American made headers. There might be a small issue (mine was missing an 02 ext but was overnighted to me) I have always purcashed name brand quality stuff and I couldn't buy Chinese Knock offs. Glad those that do havent had too may issues.
30 minutes to straighten out an X-pipe is well worth the savings I got.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
also i think the pm was refering to full z06 exhaust.....but wont my auto trans make the z06 not fit in the rear...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I cut the x-pipe on my longtubes to fit on my 2007 because they were slightly out of line.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,502
Likes: 82
The take-away here is that these headers are not going to be a direct bolt-on to his 2009.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I mentioned it because more people have access to a welder than they do a bender.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,749
Likes: 4
From: Valencia Ca
We've installed several sets and though I understand the economics of the original purchase, I don't see the overall value.
When you add the cost of O2 extensions, high-flow cats, real clamps and gaskets, the cost goes up much closer to a complete, better fitting system from ARH.
Plus, ARH has a great customer service and they are easy to find should you have a warranty issue.
Just my two cents on this...
When you add the cost of O2 extensions, high-flow cats, real clamps and gaskets, the cost goes up much closer to a complete, better fitting system from ARH.
Plus, ARH has a great customer service and they are easy to find should you have a warranty issue.
Just my two cents on this...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
so which one would be better idea..... i was almost thinking of going with the Z06 setup because i imagine it wouldnt void my warranty....or throw engine codes.... without a tune but let me get your opinion as i dont even know if the Z06 will work on my car with an auto trans...
OBX headers (modded) w/ stock mufflers
OBX headers (modded) w/ NPP mufflers
Stock Z06 exhaust (maybe modded for auto trans)
OBX headers (modded) w/ stock mufflers
OBX headers (modded) w/ NPP mufflers
Stock Z06 exhaust (maybe modded for auto trans)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
We've installed several sets and though I understand the economics of the original purchase, I don't see the overall value.
When you add the cost of O2 extensions, high-flow cats, real clamps and gaskets, the cost goes up much closer to a complete, better fitting system from ARH.
Plus, ARH has a great customer service and they are easy to find should you have a warranty issue.
Just my two cents on this...
When you add the cost of O2 extensions, high-flow cats, real clamps and gaskets, the cost goes up much closer to a complete, better fitting system from ARH.
Plus, ARH has a great customer service and they are easy to find should you have a warranty issue.
Just my two cents on this...
Two O2 extensions, clamps and gaskets don't cost very much.
What a ridiculous statement to claim the cost gets much closer to a complete ARH setup.You have to buy better gaskets with ARH as well.
I'm not sure what clamps they come with, but the band clamps that my ebay headers came with were awesome. All I did was buy two O2 extensions and re-used the stock gaskets. No issues in 30k miles.
So you have a 1500 dollar catless ARH setup vs 650 dollar catless obx setup. You can't tell me that the price becomes similar after buying clamps and 2 extensions.
Personally I bought the $450 dollar mirage headers, but got them when they were $350.
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; May 18, 2011 at 10:42 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
Two O2 extensions, clamps and gaskets don't cost very much. What a ridiculous statement to claim the cost gets much closer to a complete ARH setup.
You have to buy better gaskets with ARH as well.
I'm not sure what clamps they come with, but the band clamps that my ebay headers came with were awesome. All I did was buy two O2 extensions and re-used the stock gaskets. No issues in 30k miles.
So you have a 1500 dollar catless ARH setup vs 650 dollar catless obx setup. You can't tell me that the price becomes similar after buying clamps and 2 extensions.
Personally I bought the $450 dollar mirage headers, but got them when they were $350.
What a ridiculous statement to claim the cost gets much closer to a complete ARH setup.You have to buy better gaskets with ARH as well.
I'm not sure what clamps they come with, but the band clamps that my ebay headers came with were awesome. All I did was buy two O2 extensions and re-used the stock gaskets. No issues in 30k miles.
So you have a 1500 dollar catless ARH setup vs 650 dollar catless obx setup. You can't tell me that the price becomes similar after buying clamps and 2 extensions.
Personally I bought the $450 dollar mirage headers, but got them when they were $350.
Example:
Say you purchase a catless OBX system for $650.
Then you add cats...say $200
Then you add gaskets, O2 extensions, better clamps, etc...say $100-$150.
Now add the labor to have a muffler shop fit and weld in the new cats...IDK how much this would be but guessing around $100
That's $950 for a catted system. Now take into consideration that some places might charge more for the extra labor of welding in the cats and other crap.
Now just have someone install it and you're done.
I went with the cheaper headers...Fleebay.
Paid $375 for headers, X-pipe and no cats
Bought a pair of Magnaflow Spun cats off fleebay for $160
Extended my own O2 harness. FREE
Welded and fabbed everything myself.
Gaskets...$15
Total invested....$550 for a complete catted system.
2 years later and they're still going.
Last edited by Sparo2; May 18, 2011 at 11:47 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Well, the cost does go up closer to the more expensive headers but still not as much.
Example:
Say you purchase a catless OBX system for $650.
Then you add cats...say $200
Then you add gaskets, O2 extensions, better clamps, etc...say $100.
Now add the labor to have a muffler shop fit and weld in the new cats...IDK how much this would be but guessing around $100
That's $950 for a catted system. Now take into consideration that some places might charge more for the extra labor of welding in the cats and other crap.
I went with the cheaper headers...OBX I think.
Paid $375 for headers, X-pipe and no cats
Bought a pair of Magnaflow Spun cats off flebay for $160
Extended my own O2 harness. FREE
Welded and fabbed everything myself.
Gaskets...$15
Total invested....$550 for a complete catted system.
2 years later and they're still going.
Example:
Say you purchase a catless OBX system for $650.
Then you add cats...say $200
Then you add gaskets, O2 extensions, better clamps, etc...say $100.
Now add the labor to have a muffler shop fit and weld in the new cats...IDK how much this would be but guessing around $100
That's $950 for a catted system. Now take into consideration that some places might charge more for the extra labor of welding in the cats and other crap.
I went with the cheaper headers...OBX I think.
Paid $375 for headers, X-pipe and no cats
Bought a pair of Magnaflow Spun cats off flebay for $160
Extended my own O2 harness. FREE
Welded and fabbed everything myself.
Gaskets...$15
Total invested....$550 for a complete catted system.
2 years later and they're still going.
A catted OBX system is 800.
After the extra work to MAYBE straighten out the pipe and picking up 2 O2s and some new clamps you're still saving 700 bucks (800 if they fit right). Not what I consider "in the ballpark"
I'm right with you, only my setup is catless. Total invested for me was 450 for the headers, extensions and straightening out the pipe. 2 years and 30k miles later and good to go
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
Well then you have to compare the price to a catted ARH setup which is closer to 1700+.
A catted OBX system is 800.
After the extra work to MAYBE straighten out the pipe and picking up 2 O2s and some new clamps you're still saving 700 bucks (800 if they fit right). Not what I consider "in the ballpark"
I'm right with you, only my setup is catless. Total invested for me was 450 for the headers, extensions and straightening out the pipe. 2 years and 30k miles later and good to go
A catted OBX system is 800.
After the extra work to MAYBE straighten out the pipe and picking up 2 O2s and some new clamps you're still saving 700 bucks (800 if they fit right). Not what I consider "in the ballpark"
I'm right with you, only my setup is catless. Total invested for me was 450 for the headers, extensions and straightening out the pipe. 2 years and 30k miles later and good to go
I've installed a few of the OBX headers with cats on a few C6s. Each guy paid less than $1000 for everything including installation. They were so happy about saving the $700+ they each had me install other goodies.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 134
From: Short Hills, NJ
An easy fix yes but still.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
The clamps that come with some of these cheapie systems really are pretty bad. Not even so much the clamps themselves but the bolts/washers/nuts can easily snap (the phrase: cheap crap from China comes to mind here) once any sort of force is applied to them while attempting to tighten the clamps down harder.
An easy fix yes but still.
An easy fix yes but still.