C7 Forced Induction/Nitrous C7 Corvette Turbochargers, Superchargers, Pulley Upgrades, Intercoolers, Wet and Dry Nitrous Injection, Meth
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Header opinions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2020 | 05:47 PM
  #1  
Jjagg0125's Avatar
Jjagg0125
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 748
Likes: 40
Default Header opinions

Right now I'm on stock manifolds, cat delete pipes, corsa helix mid pipe, corsa extreme axle back. The car has a procharger setup. Debating if I should do 2" long tubes headers, 1-7/8" stock length headers or just leave it as it is... wondering how much more efficient it would be with headers and potentially how much I could lower the boost just by doing this. Thoughts?
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 06:46 AM
  #2  
BigJay08's Avatar
BigJay08
Racer
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 371
Likes: 55
From: Cleveland, OH
Default

So I have tried two different sets of headers on my 16 z06. The first set was Corsa. I love their cat back system, but i absolutely hated their long tubes. The material is very thin and all you hear is pinging from the valve train. I yanked those off and now have 2” American racing headers after hearing how much better they sound. Since you are supercharged i say 2”. I did lose boost pressure going long tubes but the power was quickly made back up in flow. Plus the biggest benefit is the car no longer drops off in power at 6,000 rpm. It pulls all the way to the redline.
Reply
Old Jun 26, 2020 | 02:59 PM
  #3  
KemahGT's Avatar
KemahGT
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 339
Default

2” ARH long tubes here with built motor and D-1X. No regrets.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2020 | 05:07 PM
  #4  
Billy@MTI's Avatar
0Billy@MTI
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 267
From: Houston Texas
Default

2" Kooks all day!! Thats all we will use!! Fitment is as OEM as It gets.



Originally Posted by Jjagg0125
Right now I'm on stock manifolds, cat delete pipes, corsa helix mid pipe, corsa extreme axle back. The car has a procharger setup. Debating if I should do 2" long tubes headers, 1-7/8" stock length headers or just leave it as it is... wondering how much more efficient it would be with headers and potentially how much I could lower the boost just by doing this. Thoughts?
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2020 | 08:23 PM
  #5  
Bob U's Avatar
Bob U
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 267
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Default

Reply
Old Jun 30, 2020 | 09:05 PM
  #6  
shane mccollom's Avatar
shane mccollom
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 14
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
Default

So I bought 1 7/8” TSP headers and x pipe and I had to use spacers on the undercarriage of the car where the metal plate is to keep the headers from hitting the metal plate and causing a crazy rattle. Kinda made me mad. But I will say I wish I went with 2”.....
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2020 | 07:54 AM
  #7  
Dcasole's Avatar
Dcasole
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
Default

Originally Posted by shane mccollom
So I bought 1 7/8” TSP headers and x pipe and I had to use spacers on the undercarriage of the car where the metal plate is to keep the headers from hitting the metal plate and causing a crazy rattle. Kinda made me mad. But I will say I wish I went with 2”.....
My Green cats hit the tunnel plate also, i used spacers but did not like it as i felt it was jury rigged so I was looking for a solution

TSP sells a modified tunnel plate to use with those headers now . , nicely finished and fits well with no clearance issues .Its not listed separately on the website but if u call you can order . $240 bucks shipped
Dave

Last edited by Dcasole; Jul 1, 2020 at 07:55 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2020 | 06:52 PM
  #8  
ironman97459's Avatar
ironman97459
Intermediate
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 2
From: Oregon coast
Default

2" Kooks. Awesome fab work and you get the better gaskets and Stage 8 locking bolts with purchase.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jul 4, 2020 | 05:22 PM
  #9  
badhabit_wb's Avatar
badhabit_wb
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,301
Likes: 955
From: in the country North Carolina
Default

I used the Hooker Shorty headers. I did it more for the weight loss on the front of the car and I'm not sure how much they help other than that. The holes were wrong on the right side header so I had to drill them out to get that side to fit.I did use ARP studs and the right side would not fit with enlarging several holes. Otherwise no clearance issues. I coated them and it cleaned it up under the hood. Most people don't notice it's not stock.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2020 | 03:41 PM
  #10  
atljar's Avatar
atljar
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 407
From: Mason Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Dcasole
My Green cats hit the tunnel plate also, i used spacers but did not like it as i felt it was jury rigged so I was looking for a solution

TSP sells a modified tunnel plate to use with those headers now . , nicely finished and fits well with no clearance issues .Its not listed separately on the website but if u call you can order . $240 bucks shipped
Dave
Kooks 2" with green cats, no clearance issues at all. Weird.
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2020 | 12:27 PM
  #11  
samwint77's Avatar
samwint77
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 832
Likes: 165
From: New Orleans LA
Default

Originally Posted by Billy@MTI
2" Kooks all day!! Thats all we will use!! Fitment is as OEM as It gets.
What X Pipe do the Kooks headers work with? I have 1 7/8 TSP headers and 3 x pipe, can I go 2" kooks to the TSP x pipe?
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2020 | 10:02 AM
  #12  
JUICED1's Avatar
0JUICED1
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
Default

Originally Posted by samwint77
What X Pipe do the Kooks headers work with? I have 1 7/8 TSP headers and 3 x pipe, can I go 2" kooks to the TSP x pipe?
No, you can't match different Xpipes with different headers. The connection points would not meet and most systems use different collectors styles. Pretty sure TSP is a slip fit and Kooks has a rounded collector.

To the OP yes go with long tubes. 2" headers are great for big power but when you install them you need to be careful. The 2" headers run very tight clearances and sometimes need to be dimpled or dented so it doesn't make contact with the steering shaft, frame, wiring harness, etc.

We find that Kooks, Stainless Works and ARH 2" fit the best.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2020 | 10:04 PM
  #13  
427_lt1's Avatar
427_lt1
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
From: seminole fl
Default

just start off with 2" it will save you headache later.
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2020 | 08:03 PM
  #14  
CamOnlyJabroni's Avatar
CamOnlyJabroni
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 490
Likes: 132
Default

Originally Posted by JUICED1
No, you can't match different Xpipes with different headers. The connection points would not meet and most systems use different collectors styles. Pretty sure TSP is a slip fit and Kooks has a rounded collector.

To the OP yes go with long tubes. 2" headers are great for big power but when you install them you need to be careful. The 2" headers run very tight clearances and sometimes need to be dimpled or dented so it doesn't make contact with the steering shaft, frame, wiring harness, etc.

We find that Kooks, Stainless Works and ARH 2" fit the best.
You can use whatever you want if you can weld good enough lol. Stainless Works headers and discontinued Borla x-pipe.



Reply
Old Aug 11, 2020 | 01:16 PM
  #15  
robert miller's Avatar
robert miller
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by Billy@MTI
2" Kooks all day!! Thats all we will use!! Fitment is as OEM as It gets.

I agree with the KOOKS these will not rust like the ARH do on you. I would also do the 2 inch this will drop the boost even more on you down low & will pick up more power on the top end also.. Robert
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2020 | 03:53 PM
  #16  
badhabit_wb's Avatar
badhabit_wb
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,301
Likes: 955
From: in the country North Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by CamOnlyJabroni
You can use whatever you want if you can weld good enough lol. Stainless Works headers and discontinued Borla x-pipe.


Pretty work.
Reply
Old Aug 20, 2020 | 10:44 PM
  #17  
black.z51.c6's Avatar
black.z51.c6
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 94
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Default

Originally Posted by robert miller
I agree with the KOOKS these will not rust like the ARH do on you. I would also do the 2 inch this will drop the boost even more on you down low & will pick up more power on the top end also.. Robert
why would arh rust and bot kooks? I am trying to decide on the 2
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Header opinions

Old Aug 21, 2020 | 09:24 AM
  #18  
KemahGT's Avatar
KemahGT
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 339
Default

Originally Posted by robert miller
I agree with the KOOKS these will not rust like the ARH do on you. I would also do the 2 inch this will drop the boost even more on you down low & will pick up more power on the top end also.. Robert
Dear Robert, please explain the rust deal. They’re both made from 304 stainless. I just don’t see it.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2020 | 10:38 AM
  #19  
atljar's Avatar
atljar
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 407
From: Mason Ohio
Default

While there shouldnt be, there can be, some differences in the quality of stainless, even if both 304. With that said, ARH and Kooks have both been great for me.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2020 | 10:42 AM
  #20  
badhabit_wb's Avatar
badhabit_wb
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,301
Likes: 955
From: in the country North Carolina
Default

I'd get either one coated. They will look so much better as time goes on.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:23 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE