Are Headers Really Worth It??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 276
Likes: 45
From: South Florida
Are Headers Really Worth It??
I know this topic has probably been beaten to death,
but please humor me.
I found some 1 7/8" SS Long Tube Headers online at a decent price, however I'm lazy, and the thought of having to put the car on a lift, crawl under, remove the SC and other components is daunting. Of course I could pay a shop to do the installation, but being DIY / Cheap / OCD, I can't do this.
I've heard folks say that the C7 exhaust manifold was well designed by GM engineers, and is sufficiently unrestricted. But then, I've seen C7 Dyno charts where Headers + Tune brought 30 HP to the table.
The question is: Are Headers really worth it? Performance gains versus cost & installation difficulty.
but please humor me.I found some 1 7/8" SS Long Tube Headers online at a decent price, however I'm lazy, and the thought of having to put the car on a lift, crawl under, remove the SC and other components is daunting. Of course I could pay a shop to do the installation, but being DIY / Cheap / OCD, I can't do this.
I've heard folks say that the C7 exhaust manifold was well designed by GM engineers, and is sufficiently unrestricted. But then, I've seen C7 Dyno charts where Headers + Tune brought 30 HP to the table.
The question is: Are Headers really worth it? Performance gains versus cost & installation difficulty.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 1,851
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Definitely worth it.
I don't have a C7 (I have a C6 Grand Sport).
But I do have a 2017 Camaro SS with the LT1 engine.
I installed Kooks 1 7/8 headers with cats and then had the car dyno tuned.
It picked up power everywhere but above 5000 rpm is where the headers really shine. Both power and torque do not drop off near as fast as with the stock manifolds. In fact, at 6500 rpm, the difference in HP and TQ is about 50.
I don't have a C7 (I have a C6 Grand Sport).
But I do have a 2017 Camaro SS with the LT1 engine.
I installed Kooks 1 7/8 headers with cats and then had the car dyno tuned.
It picked up power everywhere but above 5000 rpm is where the headers really shine. Both power and torque do not drop off near as fast as with the stock manifolds. In fact, at 6500 rpm, the difference in HP and TQ is about 50.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
I know this topic has probably been beaten to death,but please humor me.
I found some 1 7/8" SS Long Tube Headers online at a decent price, however I'm lazy, and the thought of having to put the car on a lift, crawl under, remove the SC and other components is daunting. Of course I could pay a shop to do the installation, but being DIY / Cheap / OCD, I can't do this.
I've heard folks say that the C7 exhaust manifold was well designed by GM engineers, and is sufficiently unrestricted. But then, I've seen C7 Dyno charts where Headers + Tune brought 30 HP to the table.
The question is: Are Headers really worth it? Performance gains versus cost & installation difficulty.
but please humor me.I found some 1 7/8" SS Long Tube Headers online at a decent price, however I'm lazy, and the thought of having to put the car on a lift, crawl under, remove the SC and other components is daunting. Of course I could pay a shop to do the installation, but being DIY / Cheap / OCD, I can't do this.
I've heard folks say that the C7 exhaust manifold was well designed by GM engineers, and is sufficiently unrestricted. But then, I've seen C7 Dyno charts where Headers + Tune brought 30 HP to the table.
The question is: Are Headers really worth it? Performance gains versus cost & installation difficulty.
If it's power you want then yes with a tune you will get some (I liked it) however it will never match a Z06 for shear brute power!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,674
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Definitely worth it.
I installed Kooks 1 7/8 headers with cats and then had the car dyno tuned.
It picked up power everywhere but above 5000 rpm is where the headers really shine. Both power and torque do not drop off near as fast as with the stock manifolds. In fact, at 6500 rpm, the difference in HP and TQ is about 50.
I installed Kooks 1 7/8 headers with cats and then had the car dyno tuned.
It picked up power everywhere but above 5000 rpm is where the headers really shine. Both power and torque do not drop off near as fast as with the stock manifolds. In fact, at 6500 rpm, the difference in HP and TQ is about 50.
You can do down pipes etc and people say that you will get "ALMOST" as much but with headers and a tune the HP increase is across the RPM range, your car will pull like a runaway freight train all the way to the redline. there are hundreds of dyno results to prove this fact above
Others state they produce heat and cook starters .... what's better having four stainless tubes separated by air and the cats down in the tunnel (where mine are) or having that cat tucked up next to the frame rail next to the starter and just below the crazy hot cast iron exhaust manifold??
In my case I can backup my statements as I have done before and after temp measurements at certain points in my engine bay and adding headers absolutely did not increase the heat under my hood at all. let's just face the facts , with out without headers, the engine bay is tight and hot
Dave
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 566
Likes: 160
From: NOVA
The sound alone was worth the price and wrenching time... I love how our cars sound angry when you're on them. With LTHs... the anger is raised to a new level but without making it intolerant like some aftermarket cat-back systems deliver.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,048
Likes: 1,478
From: South Florida
It depends. I always tell people that headers change the personality of the car. Yes, you get more power for sure and that is great. But you also get more sound, which some people do not like. While it is very manageable with the NPP exhaust, the car is simply louder in Tour and a lot louder in Sport/Track. So you pretty much lose that mild rumble you had when in Sport/Track with the stock setup. Tour is still mostly silent inside the car so it wont be as loud as Spot/Track when stock. But Sport/Track is much louder inside and outside the car. Personally, I only use Tour for my neighbors, otherwise I love how loud the car is in Sport/Track with LT's.
Second, the car will have a stronger fuel smell on cold start until the high flow cats warmup. The OEM cats to a better job of warming up quicker and negating this for the most part. It's a rather small difference, but worth noting.
Lastly, at WOT, headers are a win win win. More power, great sound. The car just sounds awesome.
So you should decide for yourself. Will you mind any of these changes? Also, it is important to get the car properly tuned ad to not buy a cheap no name header. Cheap branded headers often don't fit properly and end up rubbing or tapping against the car which will make you wish you didn't try to go cheap.
Second, the car will have a stronger fuel smell on cold start until the high flow cats warmup. The OEM cats to a better job of warming up quicker and negating this for the most part. It's a rather small difference, but worth noting.
Lastly, at WOT, headers are a win win win. More power, great sound. The car just sounds awesome.
So you should decide for yourself. Will you mind any of these changes? Also, it is important to get the car properly tuned ad to not buy a cheap no name header. Cheap branded headers often don't fit properly and end up rubbing or tapping against the car which will make you wish you didn't try to go cheap.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 194
From: Goderich, ON
I've had this car for 6 years and just installed ARH longtubes. Very straightforward install and amazing fit with plenty of clearance all around. Definitely a performance increase according to the butt dyno and the sound at WOT while crossing 6k rpm is so awesome its hard to believe this is a stock engine. Just WOW is all I can say. And in quiet mode hiway cruising in 7th gear can barely hear the engine running.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 7
From: Los Angeles
install headers and a flex fuel kt, will turn your car into a monster, should of came like that from factory.
On a hub dyno my car put 500 wheel tourqe and 480 wheel hp
only mods ARH 2" (catted) and ethenol kit)
On a hub dyno my car put 500 wheel tourqe and 480 wheel hp
only mods ARH 2" (catted) and ethenol kit)