Having Headers & X-Pipe Installed... Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 233
From: Chicago Illinois
Having Headers & X-Pipe Installed... Question
After several years, I am finally having headers & X-Pipe installed on my 06 C6 base coupe. The car has a current Dyno Tune, cold air intake, and NPP cat back already installed. With the header and X-pipe, the installer will do an HP street tune. With the extreme heat wave happening in the country, I am concerned about the extra under-hood heat associated with headers. Should I be concerned?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 23
I had similar concerns when planning my header install, since I autocross in pretty hot weather sometimes. My tuner advised that coated headers weren't usually needed on C6's and I haven't had any problems with underhood temps with uncoated Kooks and catted X-pipe. I've 'hot lapped' the car over and over again at test and tune events in 90+ degree heat without any issues with oil, coolant, or trans temps.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 233
From: Chicago Illinois
I had similar concerns when planning my header install, since I autocross in pretty hot weather sometimes. My tuner advised that coated headers weren't usually needed on C6's and I haven't had any problems with underhood temps with uncoated Kooks and catted X-pipe. I've 'hot lapped' the car over and over again at test and tune events in 90+ degree heat without any issues with oil, coolant, or trans temps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 856
Likes: 77
I've had multiple electrical connectors start to melt and the steering shaft white grommet melt as well WITH ceramic coated headers. Yes, you should give it due concern. Wrap connectors close by and shield what you can if you aren't coating headers. Especially the starter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 3,333
Likes: 1,931
From: Ulta Vista, AZ
My car was tuned during 96* ambient temps with my headers on. It still made the power it needed to make.
I only wrapped my 02 extensions, but no other heat shielding at all and not a single issue with my car. I do not feel any additional heat in the cabin than I did with stock headers with cats
I only wrapped my 02 extensions, but no other heat shielding at all and not a single issue with my car. I do not feel any additional heat in the cabin than I did with stock headers with cats
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 547
From: Jackson NJ
If you're concerned about adding under hood heat, you can consider wrapping the headers. Several vendors sell high heat tape similar to this...https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 1,074
From: South Florida
Always insulate with coatings/wrap/shields. Insulation is performance, economy.
All factory vehicles have insulations, shields, heavy thick exhaust manifolds, insulating plastic manifolds/covers, etc...
It is always done for performance, economy, efficiency., which always increases with insulation, heat = energy.
all power plants in the world run the highest feasible temperature possible for best efficiency, including combustion engines for vehicles.
The average temperature of all engines in vehicles has been increasing every year.
Cheap header materials might crack or warp, sure. Cheap anything is you get what you pay for
But having a cheap junk on your car is not a reason to not do things correctly. All performance mindset = insulation, period.
All factory vehicles have insulations, shields, heavy thick exhaust manifolds, insulating plastic manifolds/covers, etc...
It is always done for performance, economy, efficiency., which always increases with insulation, heat = energy.
all power plants in the world run the highest feasible temperature possible for best efficiency, including combustion engines for vehicles.
The average temperature of all engines in vehicles has been increasing every year.
Cheap header materials might crack or warp, sure. Cheap anything is you get what you pay for
But having a cheap junk on your car is not a reason to not do things correctly. All performance mindset = insulation, period.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 188
From: Austin TX
Daily or weekend cruiser. I live in TX. Had LTs for 10 years and no issues. It's not a daily but when I do drive it, I usually leave it outside the garage for about an hour or 2 before pulling it in. Mainly to not heat up the garage too much.