Hello everyone,

I drive a 2015 Z51 3LT, I love the sound, but I want more. So I plan to add a cross pipe, but wanted some input on doing headers while I am at it.

Are headers worth it?

Will it be much louder?

Will there be any significant HP increase?

The car is a weekend driver.

Thanks for the info, this is my first Corvette.

chris

 

Are you tuning? What are your goals?

 

Long tube Headers with factory NPP sounds so good!! I dont regret it at all, I started with ARH 1 7/8 with cats but end up getting non catted because it was a little to quiet for me. Now i think its just right. You will also gain 20-30HP with a tune. Keeping the NPP give you the option to quiet it down even with headers.

Good luck and if you want video clips of my set up PM me.


Oh yea the only had thing about header is the cost and install. If you go with a good brand like ARH or KOOKS you will spend around 1500-2K not including installation which cost me 600. Then another 600 for tune....... you get the idea.

 

That was going to be my next question, after the headers do I need to tune. My goals are strictly sound related, but of course any HP gain is a plus. I do not plan to track/race the car, I really just love a car that sounds good.
.

 

I would definitely get a tune if you install headers - helps get max benefit from your changes.

 

Agree with C7MEDIC. Only thing to add is the headers will come with their own X-pipe. Don't buy another X-pipe and expect to use it with your headers unless you're doing the ARH mids or something like that. If you're staying NA, stick with the 1-7/8" headers. Cats will be more expensive than no cats, it's up to you what you prefer but ARH says no horsepower loss with their cats. Kooks sells the green cats but they are really proud of them. It adds $900 to the price for their green cats vs catless. Personally, I've not noticed a difference in sound or power moving from cats to no cats. No cats have a bit more of an exhaust smell but not terrible, although that's highly subjective.

 

Thanks for all the information, I am continuing my research, I understand I need to get a tune once I make a decision on what I want to do. I am assuming I need a tune if I decide to go with a CAI later down the road?

So I have yet another question,

If the choice was between...
- Headers and cross pipe combo (or as mentioned above the headers with their own cross pipe)

or
- Cross pipe and a CAI

Which would everyone choose?

Thanks, I really do appreciate all the information.

 

I would vote for headers, x-pipe AND cai. I see mixed reviews on here about the TSP LT headers and X. I took the car out to Juiced near Chicago to have them installed. I kept the NPP in place. Here is my take on it:

Firstly, this is a catless header/x-pipe, so your experience will differ with a catted set, but I cannot say to what degree.

Sound: Your car's tone will change entirely. Stealth mode is "quiet," but that is strictly relative. It is absolutely quiet enough to drive in neighborhoods at night and not make people hate you. It has a very different sound, though. I might get flogged for this, but stealth mode reminds me of the old Fox 5.0 with offroad X and Flowmaster 40 series, just without the persistent droning that the Fox had at cruising speed. It is hoarse and throaty, but not demonic. Completely reasonable sound, IMO. Tour - Sport modes are dependent on throttle input. You'll know when the valves open. Track mode is barbaric. It howls like my dad used to whenever he would step on the Lego blocks that I would leave on the floor, just with less cursing. DarksideC7 on YouTube has a few videos that highlight the sound. His videos were the main reason I chose the setup. It gave me chills.

Performance: Granted, Juiced installed the system (which included the CAI in their package) and tuned, and I have already installed the Soler TB and Controller, but the power increase certainly has been notable. The tail end is a bit more squirrelly. I don't have track times to back up the performance gains. Juiced stated a 30HP gain. I have no reason to doubt that this is directionally accurate.

The CAI is the AFE unit. It makes whooshy sounds. Not really sure what to say about a CAI that hasn't been said countless times before. It certainly cleaned up the bay a little.

I cannot speak for any other vendors tuning package, but I have been happy with the TSP setup. There has been chatter on the forums about poor fitment and body contact, but I haven't had any of those issues.

 

No good unless you can legally remove the cats and tune the engine to make the best use of them.

It will be VERY noisy and HP gain will be marginal unless combined w/other mods. Best suited for the track IMO.