Long tube headers on an LS2
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Long tube headers on an LS2
I just joined the forum today and this is my first post. I just bought my first vette, 07 LS2 Z51. I put on a CAI and B&B Bullet exhaust on the car and noticed a little increase in power. From what I have heard, LS2's benefit fairly well from long tube headers and hi flow cats. Can anybody verify that and if so , is the performance gain worth the cost? Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
lt headers and a fast 102 intake are the 2 best bang for the buck mods for an ls2. unless you plan to go forced induction eventually...then save your money and just boost the car being as a set of headers and a fast 102 will run you $2500 +/- plus installation! that is a good down payment on a supercharger. definately plan for the future before you start modding. good luck!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 265
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
Welcome to the Forum & Vette Ownership!
Headers are indeed the best mod after the CAI.
I've prepared the linked thread tracking my results in modding my LS2 over the last 7 years. Hopefully you'll find some tidbits of useful information in this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ast-heads.html
Here's the first post with my dyno sheet, with all mods overlaid:
I've prepared the linked thread tracking my results in modding my LS2 over the last 7 years. Hopefully you'll find some tidbits of useful information in this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ast-heads.html
Here's the first post with my dyno sheet, with all mods overlaid:
Decided yesterday to overlay all my mods since I've self tuned and dyno'ed each time I did major mods.
I found it interesting and thought I'd share.
See below. Each line represents progressive mods:
1. stock;
2. headers & tune (3.90 gears at same time);
3. G5x3 cam & .040 gaskets (11.4 compression);
4. FAST, and
5. used AFR 205 heads.
What strikes me is how dramatic the gains from headers and a tune were. Combined with the gears, it felt like a different car, and I got a full second + 10 mph in the 1/4 from those mods, from 12.9@108 to 11.8@118. The car was dead nuts reliable at this level.
The second take away is how all the remaining mods really only mattered from 4500 on. Thus I very seldom notice them on the street, only on the track. Not counting the cool sound of the cam.
Mods 3-5 did take off another second and added 10 mph - to 10.8@128. But it cost a lot more and I broke a diff and two transmissions on my way.
This graph shows what I've been saying for while; headers, tune and gears give you by far the best bang for the buck from idle to redline, the remaining mods only matter from 4500 on. Most street driving is below 3000 rpm...you do feel gears and headers even at that level.
Hope someone finds this useful as they decide upon mods.
I found it interesting and thought I'd share.
See below. Each line represents progressive mods:
1. stock;
2. headers & tune (3.90 gears at same time);
3. G5x3 cam & .040 gaskets (11.4 compression);
4. FAST, and
5. used AFR 205 heads.
What strikes me is how dramatic the gains from headers and a tune were. Combined with the gears, it felt like a different car, and I got a full second + 10 mph in the 1/4 from those mods, from 12.9@108 to 11.8@118. The car was dead nuts reliable at this level.
The second take away is how all the remaining mods really only mattered from 4500 on. Thus I very seldom notice them on the street, only on the track. Not counting the cool sound of the cam.
Mods 3-5 did take off another second and added 10 mph - to 10.8@128. But it cost a lot more and I broke a diff and two transmissions on my way.
This graph shows what I've been saying for while; headers, tune and gears give you by far the best bang for the buck from idle to redline, the remaining mods only matter from 4500 on. Most street driving is below 3000 rpm...you do feel gears and headers even at that level.
Hope someone finds this useful as they decide upon mods.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Very interesting Joe. Thanks for sharing that. Reliability is huge for me so I think I'll go ahead with the headers and a tune and just call it good. I don't race the car and its rarely turning 5K rpm. If the headers and tune will help out the mid range, I'm all for it. Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 265
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I don't know where you are located but if I was in your shoes of look really hard at three pfadt tri y headers. They have solid gains over typical 4 into 1 headers.
My shop in FL has an installed special on them now including a professional tune.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...l-special.html
Given your use of the car, assuming its a manual, I'd look into a set of 4.10 gears as well. Headers, tune and gears really wake up the car.
My shop in FL has an installed special on them now including a professional tune.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...l-special.html
Given your use of the car, assuming its a manual, I'd look into a set of 4.10 gears as well. Headers, tune and gears really wake up the car.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 458
Likes: 22
From: OK
I just joined the forum today and this is my first post. I just bought my first vette, 07 LS2 Z51. I put on a CAI and B&B Bullet exhaust on the car and noticed a little increase in power. From what I have heard, LS2's benefit fairly well from long tube headers and hi flow cats. Can anybody verify that and if so , is the performance gain worth the cost? Thanks!
Mods
Texas Speed 1 7/8 with catless X
Fast 102
Vararam
Nxt Step Performance axle back
Sound
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Let me give you another idea.
Headers, LS3 heads and intake. Fast intakes are like $900, if you shop, you could get LS3 heads and intake for not much more, but it is more work.
LS2 factory intakes do not flow very good, but LS3 ones do. Just another opinion.
Headers, LS3 heads and intake. Fast intakes are like $900, if you shop, you could get LS3 heads and intake for not much more, but it is more work.
LS2 factory intakes do not flow very good, but LS3 ones do. Just another opinion.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
OP: Headers and a FAST 102 intake will give you a nice increase in low end HP/TQ. Here is a thread that I made - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...st-intake.html
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Keep in mind that long tube headers and high flow or relocated OEM cats are not legal in any state. It's an EPA rule. In CA (my state) we would fail the visual test at our bi-annual smog test.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
That being said, my car passed WI emission testing this morning!
Actually, all 4 cars passed!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
A lot of valid inputs and I appreciate them all. Thanks! Joe, the car is a manual and I live up in the Florida panhandle. I was going to ask if there is a big difference between header types. I have the B&B bullet system in the back and I'm assuming no matter what header I went with, it would match up? One of the guys brought up a good point about not being legal in some areas with headers and no or high flow cats. I registered the car fine here in Florida where there doesn't seem to be any emissions laws but know that some states do equipment checks looking for cats. This may be a foolish question but if I put headers on the car, do I need to swap out the mid pipe and stock cats or could it be retained and used with the headers and the bullet system? Is the flow on the stock mid pipe section that restricted? The bullet is loud and with headers it will be louder. That's why I ask about the stock mid pipe section. Thanks for all the inputs/advice!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 265
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
A lot of valid inputs and I appreciate them all. Thanks! Joe, the car is a manual and I live up in the Florida panhandle. I was going to ask if there is a big difference between header types. I have the B&B bullet system in the back and I'm assuming no matter what header I went with, it would match up? One of the guys brought up a good point about not being legal in some areas with headers and no or high flow cats. I registered the car fine here in Florida where there doesn't seem to be any emissions laws but know that some states do equipment checks looking for cats. This may be a foolish question but if I put headers on the car, do I need to swap out the mid pipe and stock cats or could it be retained and used with the headers and the bullet system? Is the flow on the stock mid pipe section that restricted? The bullet is loud and with headers it will be louder. That's why I ask about the stock mid pipe section. Thanks for all the inputs/advice!
1. There are no emissions or inspections in Florida. You are good to go.
2. The 4 into 1 headers are pretty close, the new tri y seem to be 20 rwhp/rwtq higher. I'd recommend them.
3. Headers are going to make the car louder. With headers and aftermarket bullets it's about as loud as you are going to want. If you add a cam it will be too loud.
4. Headers always need a mid pipe. The factory mid pipe is fine; hate to say but you didn't need to buy that with a cat back system. You do need to buy a mid pipe with headers. Your mid pipe will not work with headers.
5. A set of 4:10 gears would be an amazing mod for you. You'd think you got a supercharger the way it feels off idle to 5000 rpm. No other mod will have the feel of gears in the range you operate in.
6. Give Horsepower Sales a call at the number in my sig, speak to Rick. They might be able to work you am offer you can't refuse to come get the new Pfadt headers, a set of 4:10's and a tune. Make a weekend of it, though they can do that job in a day for sure.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Joe_G
I used my MagnaFlow midpipe with my headers. I have B&B headers and MagnaFlow cat back. to be honest, the only reason I bought B&B headers was because they would bolt up to my cat back.
I used my MagnaFlow midpipe with my headers. I have B&B headers and MagnaFlow cat back. to be honest, the only reason I bought B&B headers was because they would bolt up to my cat back.
Last edited by timd38; Jul 5, 2013 at 09:06 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
i went with LG streets, and ported LS2 intake
woke it up very nicely
and of course a tune like CoW's helps it too
headers are VERY and i mean VERY easy to install on a C6
almost to easy to do
while you're at it, put the Elite Engineering tunnel plate in, you'll thank yourself later for that with a cooler center console area
and if your doing the headers alone, some nice ARP header studs too
woke it up very nicely
and of course a tune like CoW's helps it too
headers are VERY and i mean VERY easy to install on a C6
almost to easy to do
while you're at it, put the Elite Engineering tunnel plate in, you'll thank yourself later for that with a cooler center console area
and if your doing the headers alone, some nice ARP header studs too
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
i went with LG streets, and ported LS2 intake
woke it up very nicely
and of course a tune like CoW's helps it too
headers are VERY and i mean VERY easy to install on a C6
almost to easy to do
while you're at it, put the Elite Engineering tunnel plate in, you'll thank yourself later for that with a cooler center console area
and if your doing the headers alone, some nice ARP header studs too
woke it up very nicely
and of course a tune like CoW's helps it too
headers are VERY and i mean VERY easy to install on a C6
almost to easy to do
while you're at it, put the Elite Engineering tunnel plate in, you'll thank yourself later for that with a cooler center console area
and if your doing the headers alone, some nice ARP header studs too
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
i went with LG streets, and ported LS2 intake
woke it up very nicely
and of course a tune like CoW's helps it too
headers are VERY and i mean VERY easy to install on a C6
almost to easy to do
while you're at it, put the Elite Engineering tunnel plate in, you'll thank yourself later for that with a cooler center console area
and if your doing the headers alone, some nice ARP header studs too
woke it up very nicely
and of course a tune like CoW's helps it too
headers are VERY and i mean VERY easy to install on a C6
almost to easy to do
while you're at it, put the Elite Engineering tunnel plate in, you'll thank yourself later for that with a cooler center console area
and if your doing the headers alone, some nice ARP header studs too
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Ok thanks! Good to know. At this point with the Bullets on the car, it's obviously loud and headers are just going to make it louder but as far as running an X pipe, which would be louder, X pipe with high flow cats, or X-pipe with resonators? B&B says their high flow cats are not road legal so why even have them? Their X pipe with resonators according to their site are 50 state legal. Regardless, LTH are more than likely already illegal but not too many states enforce it. I guess where I'm going with this is, I'd like to select the X-pipe option that would be less loud.
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Happy to help.
1. There are no emissions or inspections in Florida. You are good to go.
2. The 4 into 1 headers are pretty close, the new tri y seem to be 20 rwhp/rwtq higher. I'd recommend them.
3. Headers are going to make the car louder. With headers and aftermarket bullets it's about as loud as you are going to want. If you add a cam it will be too loud.
4. Headers always need a mid pipe. The factory mid pipe is fine; hate to say but you didn't need to buy that with a cat back system. You do need to buy a mid pipe with headers. Your mid pipe will not work with headers.
5. A set of 4:10 gears would be an amazing mod for you. You'd think you got a supercharger the way it feels off idle to 5000 rpm. No other mod will have the feel of gears in the range you operate in.
6. Give Horsepower Sales a call at the number in my sig, speak to Rick. They might be able to work you am offer you can't refuse to come get the new Pfadt headers, a set of 4:10's and a tune. Make a weekend of it, though they can do that job in a day for sure.
1. There are no emissions or inspections in Florida. You are good to go.
2. The 4 into 1 headers are pretty close, the new tri y seem to be 20 rwhp/rwtq higher. I'd recommend them.
3. Headers are going to make the car louder. With headers and aftermarket bullets it's about as loud as you are going to want. If you add a cam it will be too loud.
4. Headers always need a mid pipe. The factory mid pipe is fine; hate to say but you didn't need to buy that with a cat back system. You do need to buy a mid pipe with headers. Your mid pipe will not work with headers.
5. A set of 4:10 gears would be an amazing mod for you. You'd think you got a supercharger the way it feels off idle to 5000 rpm. No other mod will have the feel of gears in the range you operate in.
6. Give Horsepower Sales a call at the number in my sig, speak to Rick. They might be able to work you am offer you can't refuse to come get the new Pfadt headers, a set of 4:10's and a tune. Make a weekend of it, though they can do that job in a day for sure.
Joe knows what he is talking about. Check his time sheets!!
HP Sales is closed on weekends. I am sure you knew that.