C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LS2 headers vs intake manifold

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 06:33 AM
  #1  
pab's Avatar
pab
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
Default LS2 headers vs intake manifold

I have a 2005 with a CAI and x pipe. My budget allows for one modification only at this time. Anyone know if an intake manifold (ie Fast 92 or 102) or headers would yield more hp gains?
Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 07:33 AM
  #2  
Kenny94945's Avatar
Kenny94945
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 717
From: Sausalito CA
Default

I'd vote for the headers.
For the weight loss and sound improvement.

My reading recalls that intakes don't add that much power if the engine has a stock cam.
I think the headers will conservatively add 10 HP, the intake 1 or 2 HP.
Repeating I would add the headers and next add hi flow cats before an intake.
Once all done, then get a tune and I'd wager with the above mods and a tune you maybe looking at a 30 HP gain.

Good luck.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 09:00 AM
  #3  
Orion2011's Avatar
Orion2011
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 319
From: Shelbyville Kentucky
Default

The LS2 benefits well from an intake upgrade. The LS3 does not.

OP could do the intake and not worry about tuning. Headers will require a tune.

EDIT: Long tube headers that is. Shorty's don't need a tune.

Last edited by Orion2011; Jul 21, 2021 at 09:01 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 09:50 AM
  #4  
pab's Avatar
pab
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
Default Pro tune

Originally Posted by Orion2011
The LS2 benefits well from an intake upgrade. The LS3 does not.

OP could do the intake and not worry about tuning. Headers will require a tune.

EDIT: Long tube headers that is. Shorty's don't need a tune.
The plan is to have it tuned when it is installed. I take it that headers will yield the most power. Thanks

Last edited by pab; Jul 21, 2021 at 09:51 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 11:00 AM
  #5  
da6speed's Avatar
da6speed
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 846
Likes: 105
From: Knoxville TN
Default

Headers first.

If you decide on an intake, do the Fast102, it will fit under the cowl.. I believe the fast92 has clearance issues.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 01:39 PM
  #6  
pab's Avatar
pab
Thread Starter
Intermediate
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
Default

Originally Posted by da6speed
Headers first.

If you decide on an intake, do the Fast102, it will fit under the cowl.. I believe the fast92 has clearance issues.
Thanks. Any suggestions on headers?
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2021 | 08:07 PM
  #7  
saplumr's Avatar
saplumr
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Default

You’ll definitely get more gain from headers. FAST will be 18+/-
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2021 | 06:36 PM
  #8  
BigBlok502's Avatar
BigBlok502
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 820
Likes: 332
From: Orlando Florida
Default

I agree with others, headers first then a FAST. That's the order I did mine, in addition to a vararam. I have Kooks LTs.


Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 10, 2024 | 08:37 PM
  #9  
tblu92's Avatar
tblu92
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Default

Diablo is the best of those style tuning devices -- Far superior then any handheld type-Depends on the mods on your car and if you run one of their canned tunes or have them specifically tune your car
For most applications Diablo is great
However if you want to go all out and are running a big cam and other major mods you best bet would be a custom tune with HP or EFILIVE-------
I prefer a "street driven" tune as compared to a dyno tune---With a dyno tune they do not drive the car for street ability ---idle quality or start up Just for WOT HP/TQ from about 4000-6500 RPM's-- No launch tuning----No trans tuning if it's an auto trans like shift firmness--shift point correction---TCC lock/unlock


Reply

Get notified of new replies

To LS2 headers vs intake manifold





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:43 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE