To header or stick with stock headers?
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Joined: Mar 2025
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From: GA
To header or stick with stock headers?
Hello,
I'm on the fence about adding LT headers. I know I will get added performance benefits but is it worth it? Can you share your experience if you have upgraded? Currently I have Solar performance throttle body, Borla Atak exhaust, Haltech intake, and Solar perf throttle controller.
The next thing would be headers.
Also, with several header options available, which is the best to go with and why?
MJ
TIA,
I'm on the fence about adding LT headers. I know I will get added performance benefits but is it worth it? Can you share your experience if you have upgraded? Currently I have Solar performance throttle body, Borla Atak exhaust, Haltech intake, and Solar perf throttle controller.
The next thing would be headers.
Also, with several header options available, which is the best to go with and why?
MJ
TIA,
Last edited by DBLX01; Jan 5, 2026 at 04:13 PM.
Popular Reply
Jan 6, 2026, 11:33 AM
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From: Mesa Az
Hello,
I'm on the fence about adding LT headers. I know I will get added performance benefits but is it worth it? Can you share your experience if you have upgraded? Currently I have Solar performance throttle body, Borla Atak exhaust, Haltech intake, and Solar perf throttle controller.
The next thing would be headers.
Also, with several header options available, which is the best to go with and why?
MJ
TIA,
I'm on the fence about adding LT headers. I know I will get added performance benefits but is it worth it? Can you share your experience if you have upgraded? Currently I have Solar performance throttle body, Borla Atak exhaust, Haltech intake, and Solar perf throttle controller.
The next thing would be headers.
Also, with several header options available, which is the best to go with and why?
MJ
TIA,
The only combo we have ever seen gain with headers was a heads/cam setup and it was worth 12-15 wheel depending where in the powerband you were looking.
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Cordes Performance Racing aka "CPR"
Owner of AZ's premier LSX/LTX motorsports shop
http://cordesperformanceracing.com/
www.facebook.com/cordesperformanceracing.com
joe@cordesperformanceracing.com
480-359-5914
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Honestly, headers haven't been worth it to me since the C6 (Z06/ZR1), as everything since then has essentially been shorty headers for the exhaust manifolds. Will you get a gain with headers? Yes. Will it be big? No. Is it worth the cost? It's up to you, but for me, it would only be worth it if I were doing a max effort bolt-on build.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,421
Likes: 1,430
From: Mesa Az
Hello,
I'm on the fence about adding LT headers. I know I will get added performance benefits but is it worth it? Can you share your experience if you have upgraded? Currently I have Solar performance throttle body, Borla Atak exhaust, Haltech intake, and Solar perf throttle controller.
The next thing would be headers.
Also, with several header options available, which is the best to go with and why?
MJ
TIA,
I'm on the fence about adding LT headers. I know I will get added performance benefits but is it worth it? Can you share your experience if you have upgraded? Currently I have Solar performance throttle body, Borla Atak exhaust, Haltech intake, and Solar perf throttle controller.
The next thing would be headers.
Also, with several header options available, which is the best to go with and why?
MJ
TIA,
The only combo we have ever seen gain with headers was a heads/cam setup and it was worth 12-15 wheel depending where in the powerband you were looking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,052
Likes: 889
From: Tampa Florida
Headers are worth 0 on a bolt on car. Maybe there is a random car that legit gained a tiny bit, but we have back to backed it multiple times with multiple brands.
The only combo we have ever seen gain with headers was a heads/cam setup and it was worth 12-15 wheel depending where in the powerband you were looking.
The only combo we have ever seen gain with headers was a heads/cam setup and it was worth 12-15 wheel depending where in the powerband you were looking.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,421
Likes: 1,430
From: Mesa Az
Not so fast sir. The fastest NA C8s with no heads/cam have headers with bolt-ons at the drag strip. Dyno numbers only give you an idea where your car stands with other cars, which is a good thing. That 12-15 wheel horsepower definitely translates at the dragstrip for what it's worth. And I am saying this because, I have spent a lot of time with my bolt on C8 and others at the dragstrip. Now I can agree, just installing headers without any supporting mods then you may see nothing.
Le Mans Master
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From: Tampa Florida
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From: cookeville tennessee
ttt
Lets say this if you are only doing headers save your money. chev on this car did a good job with the set up on this exhaust on the headers. now if you will be doing a full exhaust a diff air box port the intake and heads and cam then yes. This air box on the c8 is a piece of crap also the exhaust is also from the weight stand point. The air is not all that good much better out here. But to me the exhaust is crap from a weight stand point also...
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From: GA
Very interesting takes and thanks for the feedback! I do have the halktech intake, Solar performance throttle body, and Borla Atak exhaust. All the responses make sense from the POV's.
Ive been thinking about a Supercharger at some point. If I jump in that direction, I guess it would make more sense to do it then? Just dreaming about the SC right now.
Ive been thinking about a Supercharger at some point. If I jump in that direction, I guess it would make more sense to do it then? Just dreaming about the SC right now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
You really don't need them with a blower. There were multiple people who tested C6 ZR1s stock manifolds vs long tubes, and really didn't gain a lot. If I remember correctly, the stock manifolds weren't really a restriction until 800-900HP.
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From: GA
So if I scrap the header interest now, is there any other bang for the buck performance improvements I can make?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,476
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From: Omaha
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
If you're thinking about a blower, I wouldn't spend any other money on bolt-ons. Save all those dollars for the blower as that will be the biggest jump in HP. And you may want to spend extra for items to go with the blower such as a FlexFuel setup/tune to be able to run 93 and E85.
Le Mans Master
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From: Tampa Florida
DBL. I failed to notice that you already have the catback. I now will agree with Breecher 7. With your currently mods, you should see a tremendous difference in power gains with the E85. That may change your mind for the supercharger.
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From: Orange County, NY
I like the corsa sport cats for their balance between a reasonable price point and quality GESI internals:
Corsa Sport Cats for C8 Stingray
Me personally I would do headers as your last upgrade. Sports cats will certainly net you more power gains.
Or do the Corsa C8 intake if you're trying to remain emissions compliant.
Corsa Sport Cats for C8 Stingray
Me personally I would do headers as your last upgrade. Sports cats will certainly net you more power gains.
Or do the Corsa C8 intake if you're trying to remain emissions compliant.
Last edited by Corvetteexhaustsystems; Jan 9, 2026 at 07:10 AM.
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From: Huntsville Alabama
C8s have tubular exhaust manifolds.... headers. from factory....
Here is a side by side, American Racing (Left) stock (Right).... the most even claimed is like 20hp... and we all know claimed vs reality. Let alone price vs 20hp. Sure if you have unlimited funds, and want every single HP. Then sure. But it would be WAY down the list of mods to spend money on.
They factory manifolds are a FAR cry from the old C4/5/6 days
LS2/ C6 manifold
LS1 / C5 manifold
Here is a side by side, American Racing (Left) stock (Right).... the most even claimed is like 20hp... and we all know claimed vs reality. Let alone price vs 20hp. Sure if you have unlimited funds, and want every single HP. Then sure. But it would be WAY down the list of mods to spend money on.
They factory manifolds are a FAR cry from the old C4/5/6 days
LS2/ C6 manifold
LS1 / C5 manifold
