New C7 GS - headers & tune
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: SE Florida
New C7 GS - headers & tune
So last week I just picked up my 2019 C7 GS, first Corvette and first American Muscle car ever for me. I came from the world of BMW Ms and Mercedes AMGs. Just want to say the C7 has not disappointed me at all so far, having a blast being back in a manual.
So here is the question, and forgive me if there is a thread out there already for this (I've searched but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for).
I have a Borla mid pipe coming in that I will install this week. I already done the fuse valve mod. The question I have is, now I want to order catless headers, which brand is best that will connect to the Borla mid pipe. I saw that some brands fit only with their own mid pipes. Which diameter should I go? Performance is important to me but sound is also just as important.
The biggest question I have also is which tune is recommended? In the world M and AMG, after you did down pipes you just did a piggyback or flash tune to clear the CEL. From what I am reading headers will change the engine to more lean. Which tune do you guys recommend for accommodating the O2 CEL due to LT headers? Read some people recommend dyno tune after header install, do you just flat bed the car to the dyno shop after header install, couldn't driving it running Lean cause damage?
Looking forward to your expert insight and recommendation. If a vendor is reading this, credit card is ready in my hand fyi lol.
Jay
South East Michigan
So here is the question, and forgive me if there is a thread out there already for this (I've searched but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for).
I have a Borla mid pipe coming in that I will install this week. I already done the fuse valve mod. The question I have is, now I want to order catless headers, which brand is best that will connect to the Borla mid pipe. I saw that some brands fit only with their own mid pipes. Which diameter should I go? Performance is important to me but sound is also just as important.
The biggest question I have also is which tune is recommended? In the world M and AMG, after you did down pipes you just did a piggyback or flash tune to clear the CEL. From what I am reading headers will change the engine to more lean. Which tune do you guys recommend for accommodating the O2 CEL due to LT headers? Read some people recommend dyno tune after header install, do you just flat bed the car to the dyno shop after header install, couldn't driving it running Lean cause damage?
Looking forward to your expert insight and recommendation. If a vendor is reading this, credit card is ready in my hand fyi lol.
Jay
South East Michigan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 483
For the best performance and sound you’ll want long tube headers. Go with American racing or kooks. Just return the mid pipe. The headers will come with their own and it’s better anyways. In regards to the tune you’ll want to find out what good shops/tuners are in your area. I’m unfamiliar with Michigan and unfortunately can’t help you in that regard. I’m sure someone here can.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: SE Florida
For the best performance and sound you’ll want long tube headers. Go with American racing or kooks. Just return the mid pipe. The headers will come with their own and it’s better anyways. In regards to the tune you’ll want to find out what good shops/tuners are in your area. I’m unfamiliar with Michigan and unfortunately can’t help you in that regard. I’m sure someone here can.
Also, do you know if a lift is an absolute must to do the header install. Iam not afraid to putting my car on blocks and sliding in and out for hours. I just don’t want to feel rushed on a lift?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: SE Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: SE Florida
I think that’s the next move then, super excited to go that route. I always felt CAIs were kind of like snake skin oil unless they were super intricate and shielded from hot air. I will probably get the manifold and intake middle to end of summer. If I wait, and do the full exhaust without the intake side, I am I missing out on much?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Atlanta GA
The purpose of a CAI is not to add HP but to pull in ambient temp air to keep the ECM from pulling timing thereby reducing power . I love when people say no gains on the dyno not worth it, well no kidding Sherlock lol
I make my mods on my LT1 one at a time, log the results and the VARARAM , which is the only CAI to pull air in from outside and not the fender vent was the first mod i made and was worth a solid .2 seconds off of my baseline , same temps, same DA , same grains same track using launch control to reduce the variability . I even put my stock airbox back on to verify results
Was it the Vararam ? Was it the better filter, was it the smoother intake tube .... hell I don't care as I have a fistful of time tickets that say it works plus the sound it makes when you jump down hard on the car because it is open to the air and unmuffled ... sounds like my old big block chev with the Holley 780
The Edgeyvettes ported manifold showed the same results and was a breeze to install . I still need to add my Edgyvettes ported throttle b I do but I don't expect any power gain from that
Dave
I make my mods on my LT1 one at a time, log the results and the VARARAM , which is the only CAI to pull air in from outside and not the fender vent was the first mod i made and was worth a solid .2 seconds off of my baseline , same temps, same DA , same grains same track using launch control to reduce the variability . I even put my stock airbox back on to verify results
Was it the Vararam ? Was it the better filter, was it the smoother intake tube .... hell I don't care as I have a fistful of time tickets that say it works plus the sound it makes when you jump down hard on the car because it is open to the air and unmuffled ... sounds like my old big block chev with the Holley 780
The Edgeyvettes ported manifold showed the same results and was a breeze to install . I still need to add my Edgyvettes ported throttle b I do but I don't expect any power gain from that
Dave
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 27
Likes: 5
From: SE Florida
The purpose of a CAI is not to add HP but to pull in ambient temp air to keep the ECM from pulling timing thereby reducing power . I love when people say no gains on the dyno not worth it, well no kidding Sherlock lol
I make my mods on my LT1 one at a time, log the results and the VARARAM , which is the only CAI to pull air in from outside and not the fender vent was the first mod i made and was worth a solid .2 seconds off of my baseline , same temps, same DA , same grains same track using launch control to reduce the variability . I even put my stock airbox back on to verify results
Was it the Vararam ? Was it the better filter, was it the smoother intake tube .... hell I don't care as I have a fistful of time tickets that say it works plus the sound it makes when you jump down hard on the car because it is open to the air and unmuffled ... sounds like my old big block chev with the Holley 780
The Edgeyvettes ported manifold showed the same results and was a breeze to install . I still need to add my Edgyvettes ported throttle b I do but I don't expect any power gain from that
Dave
I make my mods on my LT1 one at a time, log the results and the VARARAM , which is the only CAI to pull air in from outside and not the fender vent was the first mod i made and was worth a solid .2 seconds off of my baseline , same temps, same DA , same grains same track using launch control to reduce the variability . I even put my stock airbox back on to verify results
Was it the Vararam ? Was it the better filter, was it the smoother intake tube .... hell I don't care as I have a fistful of time tickets that say it works plus the sound it makes when you jump down hard on the car because it is open to the air and unmuffled ... sounds like my old big block chev with the Holley 780
The Edgeyvettes ported manifold showed the same results and was a breeze to install . I still need to add my Edgyvettes ported throttle b I do but I don't expect any power gain from that
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Since everything I have is a bolt on I chose to use my Diablo and get a custom tune from Diablo Lew after I installed my headers
Getting a custom tune from Lew or Pat G is no different than getting a street tune from a local guy
Dave
Last edited by Dcasole; May 6, 2020 at 09:15 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2020
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Likes: 150
From: Central Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA