I am talking with ECS about the following on a 2006 Z51:

1. American Racing Headers 1 7/8 with High flow cats and x pipe into stock exhaust. Goal to avoid drone and increase torque

2. A tune and a 160 theromstat

3. CAI

4. I do maybe 4 or 5 track days per year.

Questions asked not sure about the answers:
1. I asked about Kool wraps for spark plug wires and boots. They said no needs as the way the wires are in the c6 there is no issue of melting
2. I asked about the jet coating to keep the engine cool they said only in a true race car would they consider that as the heat isn't an issue with the American Racing Headers
3. Concerned about a tune shorting life of engine. They felt this want and issue as they are not tuning to the limit and it was needed after the mod
4. I have the GMPP for another 2 years will this void the warranty or would they have to prove the mod or tune was the direct result of failure. I was told it depended on the dealership

I would really like to get headers for sound and torque but not at the cost of damaging my car. Advise?

 

I'm sure others will chime in here, but those mods are very basic to us, which we have performed 1000+ times. You would hear of horror stories all the time if they were a problem.

 

Is this Vette an M6 or an A6? Your profile doesn't say except you have an 07 base so I assume your talking about a different Vette since you say it's an 06 Z51.

I just had these same headers put on my 07 which is an A6 and I had drone with the OEM NPP exhaust even with the valves closed. There was no drone before the install. This can be an issue only with the A6 because of the gearing.

ARH welded in some resonators (no restriction-straight through) at the back part of the x pipe last Wednesday (at an extra expense) and this solved the drone issue. Their of course is drone when the valves are open but this was the case with the stock system before the install.

My only concern was that their be no drone when the valves are closed for those long cruises and ARH had a fix so all is well. Great looking headers, quality is second to none and customer service as well.

 

ARH are the best headers going! ECS will NOT steer you wrong! Trust me on that one! They do this type of mod dozens of times a day!

" Questions asked not sure about the answers:
1. I asked about Kool wraps for spark plug wires and boots. They said no needs as the way the wires are in the c6 there is no issue of melting.

ANSWER= I have never had any issues with those headers damaging the wires. I use the GMPP Performance Red Wires and the stock shields and they work 100% fine

2. I asked about the jet coating to keep the engine cool they said only in a true race car would they consider that as the heat isn't an issue with the American Racing Headers.

ANSWER" Those or any other header will NOT significantly increase the engine temp! They also cool off very quickly! I have never seen any heat issues.



3. Concerned about a tune shorting life of engine. They felt this want and issue as they are not tuning to the limit and it was needed after the mod

ANSWER= NOT and issue PERIOD! ECS Tunes are within safe operating limits. AFRs are very consertive! Your in GOOD HANDS!

4. I have the GMPP for another 2 years will this void the warranty or would they have to prove the mod or tune was the direct result of failure. I was told it depended on the dealership"

ANY and I repeat ANY tune that you do or aftermarket part that you add, can effect the warranty! If you add headers and you have a LIFTER issue, there should NOT be any reason that the dealer should have any issues with the headers. You void any exhaust warranties that you have!

As for the tune effecting warranty. YEP. But, most dealers will NOT know your PCM is tuned. MAKE SURE that they REFLASH the PCM! Unless you have some radical MODs, most dealers will not worry about the tune.



Your in good hands with ECS!

Bill

 

Bill is one of the smartest Vette guys on this forum. Has helped me with electrical problems in the past - so you're getting good advice there. And similarly though it was been all with C5s, ECS has done the same mods to at least two of my cars and I have never had a problem. Both cars are daily drivers and my last one saw its share of track time.

 

I will let you know how I make out. I have an 07 manual and think these guys know what they are taking about. I will report back

 

Doug and Chris and boys will do you right! Trust me on that!!!!

Your in good hands.


BC

 

I agree with your tuner with all counts. The AR headers are great quality. 5 years and 50k miles on mine and no problems. Bolt them on, tune, and enjoy your car. Nice and quiet through stock mufflers which is what I have. I also have cutouts for the times I feel like being loud.

 

Give us a call any time if you have further questions....

American Headers are simply the best on the market.

We install tons of them. We don't coat them, we don't feel the need to change plugs or wires

and there is NEVER, Never, NEVER a problem with the install, quality, or performance.

I think we're a short ride from you if you're thinking of coming down.

The whole job can easily be done in a day while you wait and watch.

Give us a call!
Chuck CoW

 

Not sure of the exact track days I have on my AR headers but I would guess over 30 and there have been no issues.

The basic mods you are looking to do will compliment your track time. If you decided to do more track time I would upgrade to a dewitts radiator to help keep temps down but for where you are now you should be fine.

 

Joe,

A couple questions any drone in 6th gear at hwy speeds? When you get on it you can hear the rumble correct? As far as cut outs how did you do it (manual / electronic / cut out inside muffler? I would like to do cutouts if I am able to not melt anything on the track. Any input would be great.

I have a manual transmission question asked above.

 

Doug and the crew at ECS have done quite a few install and tunes without any issues.
As far as the warranty it helps if you find a dealer that is open to the idea.
We have Stingray Chev in Plant city, they overlook a lot of normal mods, because they are involved in the Corvettes and understand their owners.

 

I just want to add my 2cents i have had American Racing Headers on 2 of my corvettes and this is a top quality product!!!!!! Nick is a class act and has a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to headers. I have been to the shop many times. I have picked his brain about the technical work and design that goes into producing the finest and most efficient header on the market. Nick keep up the good work it was nice talking to you a couple of weeks ago about a possible header build for my buddies 73 Road Runner. I may be in the neighborhood Monday the 27th if i am i will stop by and say hi

Montee

 

Plus, you're putting money back in the NY economy by keeping their business going...and from my understanding of Nick's rides, keeping the aftermarket parts business alive as it seems much of his money goes into souping up his cars!

 

ECS installed AR headers, CAI, 160 thermo...etc and tune on my 08 around 5xxx miles then their NA custom cam package around 13,xxx. Not one issue regarding plug wires or any other concerns as the car is approaching 30,000. As Doug mentioned "You would hear of horror stories all the time if they were a problem" and any issues of ECS on the forum...you are in good hands with ECS and ARH.

 

I see that all of your questions have been answered already by the members on here but I figured that I would add my 2 cents. I will say that a tune will not shorten the life of your motor unless it's done by someone who does not know what they are doing. You will have no problems with the tune from the guys over at ECS as they are one of the most recognized tuners on the east coast. Also you do not need coating with our headers, and I personally have had 4 sets of uncoated ARH headers on my own vehicles. I currently have a pair of headers on my 600rwhp C6 uncoated with the original plug wires and have no problems. I also didn't have any drone with the NPP mufflers closed which would be like having the stock exhaust.

Thank you for choosing our product.

Josh

 

Nick and George from American Racing Headers are two of the nicest

guys in the business. Add to that that they have the BEST HEADERS

on the MARKET!

I like what Joe_G says... "Keep it local"

You can buy the headers for US and have them installed and tuned as well!

Give us a call!
Chuck CoW

 

I'll go against the flow on one count. I'd coat the headers and the X pipe. It's not out of concern for the engine temp. The cabin and center console in these cars gets warm and coating would help reduce the heat transfer into the car.

As far as the warranty goes, you have to be prepared to have the powertrain warranty voided if you start modifying the engine tune. Bill may be right that most dealers may not care for certain problems, but most is not the same same as all. Even if you are in the right that the link between the mod and failure is tenuous, if the dealer denies the warranty you need to be prepared to fight it.

It's disappointing to see someone jump in and try to take work from another sponsor that is more than qualified to service the customer.
OP, continue to deal with ECS, they have an excellent reputation and will do it right for you.

 

Thanks!
Oddly enough, that vendor was promoting LG's just a short while ago?

We have always had our eggs in the ARH basket from day one, best headers out there!