Header shootout on stock c6?
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Header shootout on stock c6?
If there is one, does someone got a link?
#2
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Preferably an LS3
#3
Safety Car
There was one out here in the forum from years ago, comparing many of the brands, and they were all very similar in performance. From what I remember, even with it, there were many arguments and questions if it were really apples to apples. Temps, humidity, etc. all play into it.
And it gets even more complicated when different dynos are involved. And, be sure you compare autos to autos and manuals to manuals.
It is virtually universal feedback from users like me (and from dealers that install and then test them) that you will see a 25 - 30 hp gain with headers and a tune on a stock LS3, comparing the before and after rwhp numbers. Torque gain is also in that range, with it kicking in sooner on the lower RPMs.
Torque and HP numbers are also similar comparing 1 3/4" primaries to 1 7/8" primaries, with most shops recommending going to the larger if you plan to up the HP with other mods later.
And it gets even more complicated when different dynos are involved. And, be sure you compare autos to autos and manuals to manuals.
It is virtually universal feedback from users like me (and from dealers that install and then test them) that you will see a 25 - 30 hp gain with headers and a tune on a stock LS3, comparing the before and after rwhp numbers. Torque gain is also in that range, with it kicking in sooner on the lower RPMs.
Torque and HP numbers are also similar comparing 1 3/4" primaries to 1 7/8" primaries, with most shops recommending going to the larger if you plan to up the HP with other mods later.
#4
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Tampa Fl
Posts: 1,307
Received 110 Likes
on
92 Posts
St. Jude Donor '12
Corvette tuner in Tampa
Power wise, its hard to judge because many factors come into play.
Installation wise, the higher end headers like American Racing and Kooks, install fit is much better than lower end knock offs.
The lower end brands can hit the steering column, burn spark plug wires, burn O2 sensor wires, leak at the x pipe, and rub against the heat shield. I know some places can charge more because the off brand takes longer to install because everything doesn't line up.
Installation wise, the higher end headers like American Racing and Kooks, install fit is much better than lower end knock offs.
The lower end brands can hit the steering column, burn spark plug wires, burn O2 sensor wires, leak at the x pipe, and rub against the heat shield. I know some places can charge more because the off brand takes longer to install because everything doesn't line up.
Last edited by Tampa Tuning; 01-23-2019 at 06:48 PM.
#5
Power wise, its hard to judge because many factors come into play.
Installation wise, the higher end headers like American Racing and Kooks, install fit is much better than lower end knock offs.
The lower end brands can hit the steering column, burn spark plug wires, burn O2 sensor wires, leak at the x pipe, and rub against the heat shield. I know some places can charge more because the off brand takes longer to install because everything doesn't line up.
Installation wise, the higher end headers like American Racing and Kooks, install fit is much better than lower end knock offs.
The lower end brands can hit the steering column, burn spark plug wires, burn O2 sensor wires, leak at the x pipe, and rub against the heat shield. I know some places can charge more because the off brand takes longer to install because everything doesn't line up.
I installed a set of Kooks long tubes with catted x-pipe and it was one of the easiest things I've done on the car. The fit was perfect and it came with stage 8 locking hardware. They were expensive but less install frustration was worth the extra money.
The following users liked this post:
Tampa Tuning (01-25-2019)
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
There was one out here in the forum from years ago, comparing many of the brands, and they were all very similar in performance. From what I remember, even with it, there were many arguments and questions if it were really apples to apples. Temps, humidity, etc. all play into it.
And it gets even more complicated when different dynos are involved. And, be sure you compare autos to autos and manuals to manuals.
And it gets even more complicated when different dynos are involved. And, be sure you compare autos to autos and manuals to manuals.
Last edited by jimijam; 01-23-2019 at 11:05 PM.
#8
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Tampa Fl
Posts: 1,307
Received 110 Likes
on
92 Posts
St. Jude Donor '12
Corvette Camaro tuner in Tampa E85
I agree. Ive seen $600 dollar headers take twice as long to install and the savings you thought you got, is a loss at install.
The problem area I see the most is exhaust contact with the heat shields or frame. You engine and exhaust twist at WOT. Your knock sensors (microphones) just hear rattle and a good tuner has to determine if your timing is being pulled from actual pre-detonation in the cylinder, or exhaust or engine bay ( all the cool aftermarket chrome caps) that are causing the noise.
Ive had Kooks on my C5 with no issues in 15 years. And American Racing on my ZR1..
The problem area I see the most is exhaust contact with the heat shields or frame. You engine and exhaust twist at WOT. Your knock sensors (microphones) just hear rattle and a good tuner has to determine if your timing is being pulled from actual pre-detonation in the cylinder, or exhaust or engine bay ( all the cool aftermarket chrome caps) that are causing the noise.
Ive had Kooks on my C5 with no issues in 15 years. And American Racing on my ZR1..
#9
Problem with LG header type test, is you have to re-tune the motor to get the most of of them, and the tune is the part that could really make a difference on the bias of the entire event for each header as well. Plus lets that that you are going to swap 8 sets of header on the same car one day, and this would bring in the differences in environment conditions that could change the numbers from one set of headers to the next.
#10
Safety Car
There won't be much difference between different brands of headers such as Kooks, LG, ARH, Stainless Works, etc. They all have the same basic design. Just go with a quality, name brand set so they will fit well and then get a tune.
#12
Supporting Vendor
Member Since: Nov 2007
Location: San Jose CA
Posts: 30,294
Received 270 Likes
on
204 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11
If your looking for a good set of headers take a look at our TPS 1-7/8" RPM Headers for only $999 shipped to you.. they are made in the USA, fit great, easy to install and make very good power. If your looking for other brands such as ARH, Kooks, or B&B we can give you a great deal also. PLUS we offer 0% financing for our headers for up to 1 year
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/tps-rpm-c6-corvette-1-7-8-long-tube-headers-w-x-pipe.html
Features
-100% Made in USA
-They fit great & install EASY
-Have EXCELLENT ground clearance.
-Makes GREAT Power
-100% Made in the USA with USA Stainless Steel
-Includes Gaskets, extensions, & TPS Billet Catch Can
-Lifetime Warranty
-Our Hi-Flow Catalytic converters are made in the USA and are 49 State Legal
-All this for $999 shipped to your door.
Here are some reviews and pictures of products installed on customers cars..
C6 GS w/ Cats
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-review.html
C6 Z06 w/ Cats
-Made 508RWHP/ 473WTQ with nothing more than headers, intake and tune
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/tps-rpm-c6-corvette-1-7-8-long-tube-headers-w-x-pipe.html
Features
-100% Made in USA
-They fit great & install EASY
-Have EXCELLENT ground clearance.
-Makes GREAT Power
-100% Made in the USA with USA Stainless Steel
-Includes Gaskets, extensions, & TPS Billet Catch Can
-Lifetime Warranty
-Our Hi-Flow Catalytic converters are made in the USA and are 49 State Legal
-All this for $999 shipped to your door.
Here are some reviews and pictures of products installed on customers cars..
C6 GS w/ Cats
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-review.html
C6 Z06 w/ Cats
-Made 508RWHP/ 473WTQ with nothing more than headers, intake and tune
__________________
TPSMotorsports.com
Mike Mak
2705 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone #: 408/898-4632
Email #: MikeM@TPSMotorsports.com
Authorized dealer of Corbeau Seats, ECS Superchargers, Edelbrock SuperChargers, A&A Superchargers, Kooks, Whipple, Magnalow, Corsa, Borla. LG Motorsports, Procharger, Billy Boat Exhaust, AWE Exhaust, American Racing, TPS Brake Rotors/ Kits, Stainless Steel Brake Lines & much more...Mike Mak
2705 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone #: 408/898-4632
Email #: MikeM@TPSMotorsports.com