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Question regarding headers on potential C8 purchase
Hey y’all
I’m thinking about purchasing a 2023 Corvette and first off wondering if anybody recognizes the car? I’m here in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Second question is it has aftermarket headers/midpipe on the car… Made by stainless Works. everything I’m reading online sounds like it’s a very good product but my concern is what is everyone’s thoughts on it? Should I be weary? Couldn’t have damaged anything or caused any premature wear? Should’ve have been tuned? Install looks correct but like I don’t know anything about the car and it’s at a dealership so they’re not very informative.
I would be!
First NO heat insulation as on the OEM headers.
Second, what else has been added and how was the car treated!
Yeah, this right here and a lot more along these lines.
These cars are IMO anyway immensely complicated and very expensive to work on. No telling what might have been done to the car and how that might affect subsequent operational, service and warranty issues. Just wait until a CEL/trouble code pops up, you go into limp mode and no dealer will touch it because it’s been tuned.
I would personally never buy a used car that had ever had any kind of modification whatsoever, especially a high performance used car. I mean, I want the original air in the tires. And I’d find a way to independently 100% verify it. Take no one’s word for it.
I would be!
First NO heat insulation as on the OEM headers.
Second, what else has been added and how was the car treated!
Yeah, this right here and a lot more along these lines.
These cars are IMO anyway immensely complicated and very expensive to work on. No telling what might have been done to the car and how that might affect subsequent operational, service and warranty issues. Just wait until a CEL/trouble code pops up, you go into limp mode and no dealer will touch it because it’s been tuned.
I would personally never buy a used car that had ever had any kind of modification whatsoever, especially a high performance used car. I mean, I want the original air in the tires. And I’d find a way to independently 100% verify it. Take no one’s word for it.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Cerakote ceramic coated headers with kevlar covers on HJS 200 cell cats. Air flow allows for lower engine compartment heat than stock OEM with metal shields.
I'm skeptical also. The factory heat shields are there for a reason. There is a lot of heat in that engine compartment. Who knows how hot this car runs.
Maybe with the right ceramic coating and blankets, it is manageable like ArizonaZO6 is saying.
But you are taking the risk, and if there is a heat problem, you own it.
Like Pastex said " These cars are complicated and expensive.
I thought it was interesting when I talked to my dealer about trade-in. And we talked about mods… His comment was he would buy/trade in any C8 with a two mods: Wheels and/or Exhaust. But anything engine work beyond that , he was not interested in buying the car.
PASS !!
Why even consider?
As stated above, there's so many good clean unmolested C8s available out there. You should have warranty concerns and when you go to sell, any potential buyer will be hesitant just like you.
I've got headers, no tune (and an airbox) and I've done about 17 track days this year. Car works great! I still haven't gone back to the dyno to see if there was a power gain over the base line though. Don't care that much.
IMHO if it were me I'd look at it as a several thousand dollar bonus.
If you have concerns have a Corvette tech plug in and have a look for anything out of the ordinary. The ecu on the C8 is brilliant is capable of easily adapting to minor modifications.
If you're a cruiser, the headers have no value and you're not absolutely in love with the car than you can walk away. Or buy it and I'll trade you my oem cats for your aftermarket cats
Best of luck in your hunt for the right car. Whichever one you choose you'll be in love with. Guaranteed!
If you have your heart set on this particular one I would ask the dealership if you can take it to a well respected mechanic who knows these cars and have him do a full inspection on it.
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Question regarding headers on potential C8 purchase
