Headers question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 45
From: Illinois
Headers question
Looking into going with headers on my 2019 Z51 to use with an off road x-pipe.
Don’t understand all of the differences between all the different brands and styles.
I’ve heard ARH mid-length are supposed to be good and there’s long tubes also that a lot of companies make. Is there a best option and also would they all be good if boosted?
Everyone mostly changes to them for sound but how much hp on average do you gain?
Don’t understand all of the differences between all the different brands and styles.
I’ve heard ARH mid-length are supposed to be good and there’s long tubes also that a lot of companies make. Is there a best option and also would they all be good if boosted?
Everyone mostly changes to them for sound but how much hp on average do you gain?
Last edited by onetechyguy; Feb 9, 2020 at 10:25 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,479
Likes: 416
From: Devil's Island CA
Well if you change them you’ll need a tune, so hp will vary. Can’t go wrong with ARH or Kooks. Personally I have Corsa headers as I already had the Xtreme exhaust and a Corsa x pipe, so only made sense to go with the Corsa headers. My car is boosted, over 750 wheel hp and of course no issues with long most likely want them when boosted anyway.
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 7,400
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The long tube headers will provide the biggest hp gains, stick with a quality brand such as Kooks or ARH
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 21
From: saint james city florida
I have ARH mid length, high flo cats and a borla x-pipe with stock npp exhaust on my Z51 convertible. With mid length and high flo cats I've had them on for 8000 mi and never needed a tune and the exhaust note is great with no drone. No codes. The headers and cats are ceramic coated.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 872
From: Indian land SC
I have ARH mid length, high flo cats and a borla x-pipe with stock npp exhaust on my Z51 convertible. With mid length and high flo cats I've had them on for 8000 mi and never needed a tune and the exhaust note is great with no drone. No codes. The headers and cats are ceramic coated.
really no tune? Any noticeable change to power and what about sound?
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,106
Likes: 7,400
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Why would anyone go with a catless system? You gain almost nothing as far as horsepower or performance goes
Racer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 439
Likes: 328
if instead you are talking long tubes against OEM headers or even aftermarket shorties then you are dead wrong.
we are talking good HP gains with a tune, that you will not achieve with shorties
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
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,951
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Just remember, any tune on your car, no matter how minor, will void the drivetrain warranty of the car. As you have a 2019, that might be something to consider. If the warranty is not a worry to you, then get LTs and a tune to fully gain the power from the LTs. I went catless on my cars for I considered a exhaust sound improvement.
Elmer
Elmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
Just remember, any tune on your car, no matter how minor, will void the drivetrain warranty of the car. As you have a 2019, that might be something to consider. If the warranty is not a worry to you, then get LTs and a tune to fully gain the power from the LTs. I went catless on my cars for I considered a exhaust sound improvement.
Elmer
Elmer
a Diablo tune does not change the CVN which is what is used to see if the car was tuned
let's just say "I know a guy " ....
Going through all the work and expense of installing headers and not getting it tuned ...... is like taking a shower with your shoes on
Dave
