my next investment is a procharger like you have...ive seen your video. i got some buxx to save up first though haha
Headers on a Corvette
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NC
on the LS3 dont go with 1 7/8...the 1 3/4 produce the best tq and hp. i live in NC as well...i have headers, no cats and npp exhaust with the mild to wild switch. but honestly...i leave the valves open 100% of the time. under normal driving its not very loud...under WOT it is but it sounds great. not raspy at all...just very mean and throaty sounding like it should be.
but my taste is different than some people...because i saw someone a few comments back on here say that they thought the headers were too loud and he even had high flow cats (which will quiet it down just a tad) and i wouldnt mind if mine was even louder lol its all personal preference.
but my taste is different than some people...because i saw someone a few comments back on here say that they thought the headers were too loud and he even had high flow cats (which will quiet it down just a tad) and i wouldnt mind if mine was even louder lol its all personal preference.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NC
If you like the racy/raspy sound then go with the headers. I had AR 1 7/8 coated headers with cats (with NPP exhaust) for around 1200 miles. There were just too noisy, smelly and there were idle/cruising issues. I ended up swapping out to LS9 manifolds and cats. I'm much happier now. It cost a pretty good chunk of $$$ to learn that I don't like headers on a Corvette. I guess I'm in the minority.
but everyone has their own taste and theres nothing wrong with that
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NC
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 379
From: Detroit
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,798
Likes: 2,229
From: Sammamish, WA
I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I wouldn't do it. It certainly increases the heat under the hood, and may even cook some of the wiring if not installed very well. I also don't like the stinky smell and the fact that a cop driving by me can easily know how much throttle % I'm pressing at the moment.
Those clunky hated heat shields on OEM headers work wonderfully. If I really wanted to install headers, I guess I'd install LS7 or LS9 OEM headers as another member also suggested.
Those clunky hated heat shields on OEM headers work wonderfully. If I really wanted to install headers, I guess I'd install LS7 or LS9 OEM headers as another member also suggested.
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Racer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
here in california, smog is a concern.
i'm also a bit reluctant to tune the car since it's my first LSx car.
but i know eventually i will give in, but will add a nice cam
who doesn't want a 500whp+ n/a car on pump gas?
i'm also a bit reluctant to tune the car since it's my first LSx car.
but i know eventually i will give in, but will add a nice cam
who doesn't want a 500whp+ n/a car on pump gas?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
If you like the racy/raspy sound then go with the headers. I had AR 1 7/8 coated headers with cats (with NPP exhaust) for around 1200 miles. There were just too noisy, smelly and there were idle/cruising issues. I ended up swapping out to LS9 manifolds and cats. I'm much happier now. It cost a pretty good chunk of $$$ to learn that I don't like headers on a Corvette. I guess I'm in the minority.
I have ARH 1 7/8" headers with NPP exhaust, a blast to drive around town but it has drone even with the valves closed which becomes annoying on long cruises. ARH welded in some resonators which helped but didn't eliminate the drone. I'm thinking of making the same move, putting on LS7 manifolds and x-pipe.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Warrenville IL
I have ARH 1 7/8" headers with NPP exhaust, a blast to drive around town but it has drone even with the valves closed which becomes annoying on long cruises. ARH welded in some resonators which helped but didn't eliminate the drone. I'm thinking of making the same move, putting on LS7 manifolds and x-pipe.Another thing worth mentioning - sometimes when I would be cruising at lower speeds (20-45mph) I noticed that the engines rpm would waver, like someone was ever so slightly tapping the gas pedal and then letting off. Probably not more that 25 or 50 rpm but enough for me to notice. It was really starting to bother me. I discussed it with both tuners that worked on the car plus a couple tuners on the forum here. The consensus was that it's just the nature of headers with the 02 sensor being relocated so far from the OEM location and that very few people notice or feel it, let alone care. I guess I'm in the minority again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,277
Likes: 72
From: Boston's south shore MA
Kooks 1 3/4 with a red 2,000 degree ceramic coating installed on '05 with hi-flow cats, x-pipe, Corsa Sports (soon to be Xtremes), and a Lingenfelter installed supercharger package.
BTW, FWIW, I'm 67.
BTW, FWIW, I'm 67.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 515
Likes: 1
From: Boca ARton FL
I went with 1 7/8" headers and a used zo6 exhaust on my 11 Grandsport because I knew I was either going to cam and supercharge it or go with a larger ci short block and better heads. I ended up with a cam and the super charger is sitting on the shelf awaiting install. The sound is so much better (and I hate loud cars) and when you get into the throttle the LS sounds great. If you are going to stay stockish go with the smaller headers, think you'll run nitrous or a blower then the 1 7/8" might be the way to go. Oh Im 44 and my car had 2,000 miles on it when the work was done, 4,400 now and getting blown on E85.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
FWIW I'm 71, I like loud but not drone, that is my only complaint about adding headers to my 07 Vette. The sound is awesome even with the valves closed but as I mentioned, the drone will wear on you on long drives.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
If you like the racy/raspy sound then go with the headers. I had AR 1 7/8 coated headers with cats (with NPP exhaust) for around 1200 miles. There were just too noisy, smelly and there were idle/cruising issues. I ended up swapping out to LS9 manifolds and cats. I'm much happier now. It cost a pretty good chunk of $$$ to learn that I don't like headers on a Corvette. I guess I'm in the minority.
Headers are not smelly! Unless you had install issues!Not noisey either with stock mufflers! Idle crusing issues????
Yes your in a small minority!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I wouldn't do it. It certainly increases the heat under the hood, and may even cook some of the wiring if not installed very well. I also don't like the stinky smell and the fact that a cop driving by me can easily know how much throttle % I'm pressing at the moment.
Those clunky hated heat shields on OEM headers work wonderfully. If I really wanted to install headers, I guess I'd install LS7 or LS9 OEM headers as another member also suggested.
Those clunky hated heat shields on OEM headers work wonderfully. If I really wanted to install headers, I guess I'd install LS7 or LS9 OEM headers as another member also suggested.
under the hood! The cast manifolds get just as hot. They have more radiant heat. Headers are not any hotter, cooler if anything thing!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 379
From: Detroit
That's weird cause mine with the valves closed has no drone. I run no cats and have none of that smell you would expect. To me LS7 or LS9 manifolds are your only option for a state like Cali fine but otherwise I thinks it's a waste. If I'm taking my stock manifolds of I'm not putting stock ones back on.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
headers are a must if you ask me. Just do it.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC