C8 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

ARH C8 headers

Old May 21, 2021 | 10:59 AM
  #1  
racerx8's Avatar
racerx8
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Default ARH C8 headers

Just got my C8 Z51 back from Nick at ARH and they did an awesome job! The ARH C8 headers add power, a louder, more throaty sound and look perfect in the engine bay. It was about a 240 mile ride home and the headers have this awesome light gold/silver color. You can't do any better than ARH, you get performance, a better sound, save a few pounds, clean up the engine bay and get a great looking set of headers. Nick, Jose and crew did a great install job Thank you guys! BTW I've used ARH on all my GM trucks, Camaros and Corvettes for years, quite simply they are the BEST!

Last edited by racerx8; May 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2021 | 11:41 AM
  #2  
Kracka's Avatar
Kracka
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
Default

How does the car feel in comparison?
Reply
Old May 21, 2021 | 08:41 PM
  #3  
racerx8's Avatar
racerx8
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Default

Kracka, I'm sure it does make more power, definitely feels better, a bit more responsive. My Z51 only had 610 miles when the ARH's were installed and I'm positive they are a great addition to a great car.
Reply
Old May 21, 2021 | 10:23 PM
  #4  
Kracka's Avatar
Kracka
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,101
From: Fulshear, TX
Default

Sounds great! At the moment I'm torn between ARH & AFE, but the KOOKS are definitely out and I have no internet in the Chinese knock-offs.

Last edited by Kracka; May 21, 2021 at 10:24 PM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2021 | 10:32 PM
  #5  
racerx8's Avatar
racerx8
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Default

ARH are the best, fitment, quality and price. I can only speak from my experience, that of some friends and my tuner, they all use and recommend ARH.
You'll be very pleased with your choice of ARH headers.
Reply
Old May 22, 2021 | 07:36 AM
  #6  
RDSC8's Avatar
RDSC8
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 445
Likes: 479
Default

Originally Posted by racerx8
ARH are the best, fitment, quality and price. I can only speak from my experience, that of some friends and my tuner, they all use and recommend ARH.
You'll be very pleased with your choice of ARH headers.
I agrree ARH are yhe only way to go .


Reply
Old May 22, 2021 | 01:30 PM
  #7  
JillyBean's Avatar
JillyBean
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 726
Default

What’s the cost for those?^^^
Reply
Old May 22, 2021 | 04:44 PM
  #8  
racerx8's Avatar
racerx8
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Default

The list on the ARH C8 headers is $2073.75. The cost to install can vary with your shop but I'd say $500 to $700 would be the range, you can do it yourself the ARH install instructions are very good.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old May 23, 2021 | 09:48 AM
  #9  
langhorne_bill's Avatar
langhorne_bill
Instructor
10 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 69
Default

I plan on installing the ARH headers with stock cats and mufflers when my C8 Z51 coupe is delivered sometime this summer whenever BG ends their various shutdowns. I like a good exhaust note around town, but on long trips prefer a quiet interior; my C6 Z51 does quite well in the noise department with Z06 headers and ‘mild to wild’ switch on the NPP mufflers.

Do the C8 ARH headers drone at highway speeds? Is the interior noise level much higher than stock while cruising and windows up?

Thanks, Bill
Reply
Old May 23, 2021 | 11:40 AM
  #10  
RDSC8's Avatar
RDSC8
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 445
Likes: 479
Default

Originally Posted by langhorne_bill
I plan on installing the ARH headers with stock cats and mufflers when my C8 Z51 coupe is delivered sometime this summer whenever BG ends their various shutdowns. I like a good exhaust note around town, but on long trips prefer a quiet interior; my C6 Z51 does quite well in the noise department with Z06 headers and ‘mild to wild’ switch on the NPP mufflers.

Do the C8 ARH headers drone at highway speeds? Is the interior noise level much higher than stock while cruising and windows up?

Thanks, Bill
No drone or excess noise.
With the stock cats & muffler u probably wont notice any change.

Install was ~$500.00 at my shop>
Reply
Old May 24, 2021 | 09:41 AM
  #11  
ZaXxon's Avatar
ZaXxon
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 71
From: Bismarck
Default

1-7/8" or 2", which did yall go with? I assume you only need 2" for forced induction.......

NEVERMIND, just read the ARH post stating 1-7/8" is the way to go.

Last edited by ZaXxon; May 24, 2021 at 10:25 AM. Reason: Researched
Reply
Old May 24, 2021 | 01:15 PM
  #12  
MerakiAutoworks's Avatar
MerakiAutoworks
Supporting Vendor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 82,150
Likes: 718
From: Orange County, CA
Default

Awesome! We have some 1 7/8 on order..

-Josh
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2021 | 07:52 PM
  #13  
CP's Avatar
CP
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 24,103
Likes: 1,327
From: Spring Texas
Default

Originally Posted by langhorne_bill
I plan on installing the ARH headers with stock cats and mufflers
Thanks, Bill
Doesn't this kind of defeat the purpose of adding headers?
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2021 | 10:34 PM
  #14  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
Ragtop 99
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Default

Originally Posted by CP
Doesn't this kind of defeat the purpose of adding headers?
Not at all. It still improving the exhaust gas flow compared to the stock manifolds. The C8 stock cats are not a huge restriction. Even the most expensive brands are only seeing about 6 HP from a cat swap.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2021 | 07:33 PM
  #15  
Langang's Avatar
Langang
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 209
Likes: 43
Default

Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
Not at all. It still improving the exhaust gas flow compared to the stock manifolds. The C8 stock cats are not a huge restriction. Even the most expensive brands are only seeing about 6 HP from a cat swap.
Except for Soul Cats..
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2021 | 02:11 PM
  #16  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
Ragtop 99
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Default

^^^Their cats are good, but has anyone replicated those gains on another dyno?
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2021 | 02:40 PM
  #17  
ZaXxon's Avatar
ZaXxon
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 71
From: Bismarck
Default Headers Installed!

Installed my ARH 1-7/8" headers over the holiday weekend. Fantastic quality, perfect fitment. They even came with gaskets and manifold hardware. I happened to be installing an AGW high wing at the same time, so I already had the back bumper off. Even without doing a wing install, I would highly recommend removing the rear bumper when doing this install. A lift also helps.

Just finished the install yesterday and went on a short cruise. Very noticeable sound difference when on the throttle, but very tame at normal cruising speed. Love them so far.









One other note, I ordered ARP stainless studs for the manifolds but ended up not using them. You can't get the headers installed with the studs installed (at least the way I was doing it), so it defeats the purpose. ARH included some nice quality 10.9 grade hardware (similar strength to grade 8) that I used with nickel based anti-seize.

Stock cats and cat back BTW
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To ARH C8 headers

Old Jul 10, 2021 | 09:23 AM
  #18  
langhorne_bill's Avatar
langhorne_bill
Instructor
10 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 169
Likes: 69
Default

Great Job! One question - does a normal 7/8 (22mm) O2 sensor socket work OK? Is that socket deep enough and have a wide enough side cut out for the wires?

Thanks, Bill
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2021 | 12:32 AM
  #19  
ZaXxon's Avatar
ZaXxon
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 84
Likes: 71
From: Bismarck
Default

Originally Posted by langhorne_bill;[url=tel:1603710077
1603710077]Great Job! One question - does a normal 7/8 (22mm) O2 sensor socket work OK? Is that socket deep enough and have a wide enough side cut out for the wires?

Thanks, Bill
Yes. I used a cheapo harbor freight O2 socket.
The trick is you have to cut the little zip ties that secure the heat shielding on the O2 wires. This allows you to pull back the heat shielding while using the socket. The heat shielding slides right back in place when done.

Last edited by ZaXxon; Jul 11, 2021 at 12:33 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2021 | 09:42 AM
  #20  
wallyj's Avatar
wallyj
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Likes: 63
From: Ft Worth TX
Default

Originally Posted by ZaXxon
Installed my ARH 1-7/8" headers over the holiday weekend. Fantastic quality, perfect fitment. They even came with gaskets and manifold hardware. I happened to be installing an AGW high wing at the same time, so I already had the back bumper off. Even without doing a wing install, I would highly recommend removing the rear bumper when doing this install. A lift also helps.

Just finished the install yesterday and went on a short cruise. Very noticeable sound difference when on the throttle, but very tame at normal cruising speed. Love them so far.

Stock cats and cat back BTW
Do you recommend removing the bumper for access or to reduce how far over you have to lean to get to the exhaust?
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:09 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE