I am getting ready to add headers to my C6 along with an exhaust. I know that once I add them chances are it will throw the CEL and I will need to get a tune for that as well as to get the most out of it.

Since I am going with headers and planning on going with a Corsa Xtreme would I be better off getting an x-pipe or having someone fab up the exhaust from the headers to the Corsa axleback exhaust?

Is there anything I need to be aware of with heading headers? I know some have mentioned a heat issue so what did you do to minimize that? Did you wrap the headers or just put thermal barrier strips in certain areas?

 

Anyone?

 

I would spend the money on a x-pipe that fit the headers you are purchasing. I'm about to add headers also and I plan to wrap them with DEI heat wrap to keep the under the hood temps down. You can also get coated headers to drop under the hood temps. Don't forget a tune is needed to get the full potential out of your car after install. Things to be aware of is high under the hood temps with more added power and not passing emission test based on cats being relocated from the original position.
Which headers do you plan to use and what other mods do you plan to add? If only adding headers, I recommend 1 3/4" long-tube headers to get the most power. The 1 7/8 long-tube headers are for major mods like, heads, cams, intake, etc., Hope this helps.

 

I agree get the X pipe that goes with your headers as it will be a bolt on and make the job much easier

I did not wrap or buy coated headers , it was told to me that coating can cause the headers to crack , I also did not wrap my starter

I think my under the hood temps are cooler with headers , now this is with a stock LS3 and not a cammed or blown motor which would make considerably more heat

I live in the south and have driven it on a daily basis in heavy Atlanta Traffic with outside temps in the high 90's and sometimes into the 100's

The car is not any hotter than it was with the stock exhaust manifolds and cats which were tucked right up against the firewall and next to the starter ..........

I have mine up on my buddy's lift from time to time and I see no evidence of " HEAT " related damage

You will get a 100 different answers on this topic ... go with what you think you would be comfortable with

Dave

 

It's bone stock at the moment. I just ordered a Corsa Extreme but I do plan on doing a cam later on and some head work. I haven't picked headers yet. I'm still researching them. I was just looking at this thread

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-tech-performance/2747885-everything-you-wanted-or-didn-t-want-to-know-about-obx-headers-in-here-6.html

 

I would go with LG headers or ARH .... just my 2 cents

not sure of the year you have , I have never seen an OBX Crossover pipe for anything later than a 2008 ,I could be wrong but beware as in 2009 the cross over pipe is different
Dave

 

Dcasole is correct, you will get 100 different responses to this topic and go with what you are comfortable with. I'm thinking twice about wrapping my headers and just protecting the oil lines and the starter.

One thing for sure I can say is go with a name brand header with a proven reputation on this forum to prevent alignment issues.

 

I would say get the X-pipe that matches the Headers. I owned a 2008 Coupe that I had Kooks 1 7/8" Longtubes installed on. I used the Kooks catted X-pipe into Corsa Xtreme mufflers. Here's a video of some idle & revs- . With these mods, the rear O2 sensors were deleted & bolted closed & it was wide band tuned w/a Halltech CAI. If you want some more info on what I did with this specific build I can let you know.

 

This seems like a decent deal

https://m.summitracing.com/parts/sle-30124

Do you guys think these headers need to be wrapped or anything needs heat shielding?

 

They are already ceramic coated so no wrap is necessary,

PM or email Damien at Wild Vettes , a vendor on this site , he will give you a great deal on LG's and also supply some great advise .......

When I installed my LG Headers I felt that there was plenty of room between my starter , trans lines, solenoid, wiring harnesses and the header pipes , much more than what was there with the factory exhaust manifolds and CATS which were tucked right up in-between the frame and the block . I have to believe having a CAT tucked right up next to the starter attached to a hunk of IRON was way hotter than one or two tubes on my headers

I did take a lot of care to make sure my wires all stayed put buy using some tie straps but these are all wrapped from the factory already

I did use spark plug wire wraps but after putting them on , there was plenty of clearance there also but I left them on anyway

there are some that say they did not wrap anything like me and others that shielded everything ... and some in between that did some shielding but not all

Its up to you , the shielding is cheap .... mount the headers , see how much clearance you have and make your decision from there

 

more air in more air out= TUNE!

 

Just a question please:
If you wrap the starter or anything else wouldn't you also be trapping heat inside of that component what with no "air flow" around it
NSF

 

Thats the way i look at it Bobby ....but maybe not ....

I figured as long as i had plenty of clearance and some airflow it cant be any worse than the stock setup , now if i was running a blower or a monster cam ....... or racing it every weekend ...

 

What does a tune from an exhaust and headers typically cost?

 

Following this thread and wondering for those who have added headers, and tune, what was the performance gain afterwards? 30HP, 40HP? Could you actually feel the difference driving it, or was it just your mind telling you its quicker after you dropped a few grand?

Have an '09 with LS3 and Airaid intake. Ordered ported throttle body and know headers and tune are the next step so looking for real world results and experiences.

 

Usually around 400 to 500 .

I used a Diablo Intune and DiablowLew to tune mine, by the time you roll the cost of the Intune , its around the same . Sent him a few logs and i feel that it is real close to perfect

Not as good as a Dyno Tune but good enough for me

Dave

 

I can assure you that you can feel the gain in power and its not its not all in your mind .

I did not have mine dynotuned but the boards are full of people who did and report 30 to 40 hp gain

 

I was quoted last week for install of long tubes $500
Tune & dyno pulls $875 FYI
NSF

 

The $500 to install is not bad if you dont have a lift to use but for that much for a tune , I would buy the Diablo and let Lew tune it . I ran my headers on the stock tune for 100 miles without setting a code to let the trims settle .

Even if you do get a code its only going to be for the rear O2 sensors which will get tuned out . I then logged it and sent the file to Lew who inturn sent it right back modified

I loaded the new tune and drove for a few miles and you could really feel the difference . I have since sent him log files so he could fine tune it . You can send him unlimited data logs for the first year .

For a stock motor with headers and a CAI i am fine with tuning it this way plus i have the ablity to return it to stock or modify the parameters with the intune especially with the A6 .

With the Diablo software I can also view the logs and see what the ECM is doing when i run it thru the gears which is pretty cool...that is how i know it was pulling timing when it was hot out hence the addition of the Vararam

For my next step, a cam ... i might buy HP tuners suite and depend on the great guys on this forum to teach me how to use it. I dont want to be tied to a tuner who might not be around when i need him ..

Dave

 

I am interested in taking this route how can I find more info on how it all works?