Headers on a Corvette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Headers on a Corvette
Hey guys! I'm debating on whether or not to do headers (Kooks, 1 3/4 w/ cats) and a couple people can't believe I want to do that to a Corvette. Anyone else go through this decision?
I have the GCA exhaust, which is the Borla Touring. How would mine sound with headers?
TIA
I have the GCA exhaust, which is the Borla Touring. How would mine sound with headers?
TIA
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: NC
absolutely do it. i have a 2012 Grand Sport and within 2 weeks of having it i did kooks 1 3/4 headers with offroad x pipe into my stock npp mufflers, k&n CAI and tuned by ECS. My car sounds a million times better and meaner now. I couldnt be happier! Its much more fun to drive the car now...it gets many looks because its pretty loud haha but nothing crazy
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
I'll give you quick example...when I purchased the car back in March, a salesman came up to me excited for me saying, "Nice car! I hope you aren't going to mess it up and put headers on it."
Do headers fit nicer than they did on the LS1 Camaro's? My C6 is a Automatic if it makes a difference.
Do headers fit nicer than they did on the LS1 Camaro's? My C6 is a Automatic if it makes a difference.
Team Owner
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I'll give you quick example...when I purchased the car back in March, a salesman came up to me excited for me saying, "Nice car! I hope you aren't going to mess it up and put headers on it."
Do headers fit nicer than they did on the LS1 Camaro's? My C6 is a Automatic if it makes a difference.
Do headers fit nicer than they did on the LS1 Camaro's? My C6 is a Automatic if it makes a difference.
My point is it's your car and there is no downside to doing headers and exhaust....of course you may need a tune to take full advantage of the mods...
besides WTF does a salesman know about cars
as far as fit etc....I would get opinions on what others have done, results etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort Illinois
absolutely do it. i have a 2012 Grand Sport and within 2 weeks of having it i did kooks 1 3/4 headers with offroad x pipe into my stock npp mufflers, k&n CAI and tuned by ECS. My car sounds a million times better and meaner now. I couldnt be happier! Its much more fun to drive the car now...it gets many looks because its pretty loud haha but nothing crazy
Same here, same car, done at 250 miles
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,214
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I'll give you quick example...when I purchased the car back in March, a salesman came up to me excited for me saying, "Nice car! I hope you aren't going to mess it up and put headers on it."
Do headers fit nicer than they did on the LS1 Camaro's? My C6 is a Automatic if it makes a difference.
Do headers fit nicer than they did on the LS1 Camaro's? My C6 is a Automatic if it makes a difference.
ITS A CHEVY
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Warrenville IL
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.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 4
From: Tampa, FL
Hey guys! I'm debating on whether or not to do headers (Kooks, 1 3/4 w/ cats) and a couple people can't believe I want to do that to a Corvette. Anyone else go through this decision?
I have the GCA exhaust, which is the Borla Touring. How would mine sound with headers?
TIA
I have the GCA exhaust, which is the Borla Touring. How would mine sound with headers?
TIA
LOL
Dude, throw some headers on there and get a tune and enjoy it! Your car will sound good, run good and scare old women...Whats not to like?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: hudson florida
i just finished doing this i put on LG 1 7/8 inch headers, had my throttle body ported, and custom tune by one of the best tuners in the country, also had 160 degree thermostat and Tr6 plugs, i put my fuse back in my NPP exhaust. you will love your car more than you ever have, my car drives like a "normal corvette" until you give it some gas and let me tell you the car is Z06 quick. i honestly can't believe how well these cars respond to headers and a tune, i was worried about the 1 7/8 inch headers being overkill but my tuner who knows these cars quit well said he has seen no power loss with going to the 1 7/8 inch over the 1 3/4 inch headers. trust me get the headers
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
The down side would be a tune would be necessary and that as well as the headers might cause a fail in emission testing.
Regulations are getting tougher not easier to meet with said mods.
Regulations are getting tougher not easier to meet with said mods.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Don't know where you live, but here in CA the first smog test is when the car is 6 years old. That's when you you might have problems. But between now and then put them on and enjoy. $2000 is a reasonable installed and tuned price, and Kooks are one of the top three makes. I'm running American Racing Headers and love them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Don't know where you live, but here in CA the first smog test is when the car is 6 years old. That's when you you might have problems. But between now and then put them on and enjoy. $2000 is a reasonable installed and tuned price, and Kooks are one of the top three makes. I'm running American Racing Headers and love them.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Johnson City TN
I just had the Borla headers installed with the Borla Touring exhaust on my 2012. It certainly sounds better than stock and does sound better than the Touring exhaust alone. I'm still wondering if I should have gone with the Type II exhaust for just a little more rumble. I also used the o2 extenders and have no codes - so far.