Corvette Performance - Clarity needed in a confusing header world..

I believe the more I think about it, the more confused I get. I am about to upgrade to some lt headers, but I'm on a budget, and so it complicates things a little. This is for an '01 Z

I'm looking at the TPIS lt's (which have to be welded -a negative) for about $650 and maybe picking up some used high flow cats, hopefully around $250 or so. I already have a corsa x-pipe (does that even help?), so that would be headers, high flow cats and an x-pipe for about $900.

It seems that the big three: LG's, Kooks, and Supermaxx dyno about the same, and cost between $1400 to $1900 for the kit. I'm trying to get that power for about half the price... is it even doable?

I don't mind used headers, but can't seem to find the kooks or dynotechs for $900 or so.

Would I be better off just gutting my pre cats instead of going with aftermarket cats? I know the 01 Z's have the pup cats, can they be gutted? I'm ready to pull the trigger, so any help would be great!!!

Thanks.

You'll need to completely remove the pups if you go with headers. If you want to gut the pups you can, I've seen people get 5hp by doing it. Keep searching the forums in the parts for sale sections for used stuff. Seems like everything goes up for sale eventually. People have do dump headers to go with TT systems.

I'm in the same boat as you. 2001 Z06. I want headers but i dont want the cats. 1500 bucks for LG's. eek. But that's what i'm gonna go with anyways. It's already sunk in..the money feels like it's spent already since i've been thinking about it for 4 weeks now. I want to get them for cheaper, or at the least with free shipping. If any vendors are reading. *wink*

I'm sure you could get Kooks or Supermaxx headers for less than you listed especially if you buy used or got in on a group purchase. I don't think you realize what you get. These systems aren't just headers, they include the midsection. They are also stainless steel. TPIS are coated mild steel (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that) and are the headers only. With the above systems you could sell your x-pipe and that would help in the cost. A good place to look would be corvetteforum.com (also a good place to sell your x-pipe). I don't have headers but I've rode in one with a set of dynatechs and I was impressed.

I'm waiting on a call From Tony.. i'm ordering them in the next few minutes. LG Headers w/offroad x-pipe. w00t

I know what they come with, that's why I was comparing the high flow cat/corsa x-pipe option.

The mid section you are talking about is just some form of cats or offroad pipe and an x, h, or y pipe. Would buying lt headers (say stainless), buying RT high flow cats, and using my x-pipe be very competitive to one of the complete systems?

Current GP price on the Dynatech kit is $1400 plus shipping. Best price on the LG kit is $1895 plus shipping as of right now. I'm on the corvette forum daily looking for a used set, I have done my research on pricing, just wondering what the most cost efficient way to this is AND get the most power!

Basically, if I can't justify the $1400+ price tag to my wife, what are my other options?

Redlyner. I just ordered mine from Tony@AFR. Here's the thing

I have a Borla no muffler exhaust.
I just ordered LG headers with no cats.
The LG system replaces the mid section where the stock resonators are.

See the dliema? There will be no sound deadening at all. I'm going to end up installing bullet style mufflers or resonators along the piping somewhere so it doesnt sound like WWIII when i go out for a drive.

Your issue is emission testing? or sound deadening? Either way it's gonna cost you to quiet it down or make it pass smog, so just suck it up and dish out the money for the cats.

On the other hand if i had the stock muffler system, i wouldnt worry at all. I would just run no cats, no resonators through stock mufflers and call it a day.

What is wrong with TPIS as compared with the others? Do they make more power?

What is wrong with TPIS as compared with the others? Do they make more power?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with TPIS headers. I originally had them on my 01 Z and swapped out for the LG longtubes. I lost peak hp but picked up torque under the curve..about 12 rwtq! Since then I have switched back to TPIS. I am currently running TPIS Longtubes and offroad x-pipe w/ B&B PRT's, MTI ram air and ASP underdrive pulley with G5X-2 cam. With MTI tuning the car made 420/397! I picked up the TPIS and X-pipe for $500 on Corvette Forum. :judge:

I have the TPIS headers and a MTI X-Pipe on mine with the Magnaflow catback. I was just wandering if there was a huge amount of power to be had switching to the LGs or some simular. Thanks.

I have the TPIS headers and a MTI X-Pipe on mine with the Magnaflow catback. I was just wandering if there was a huge amount of power to be had switching to the LGs or some simular. Thanks.

I wouldn't say huge, just a little more torque under the curve that's all. I was really disappointed when I shelled out all of that money for minimal gains. I'm sticking with TPIS until I go with more cubes then it's kooks all the way.

Drk syd.. what do you mean by off road x-pipe? Did this replace your cats? I have the corsa x pipe, but I don't think its an off road x pipe. What's the difference? What would be an example of the off road x-pipe?

I think that's about enough questions for one day!

Drk syd.. what do you mean by off road x-pipe? Did this replace your cats? I have the corsa x pipe, but I don't think its an off road x pipe. What's the difference? What would be an example of the off road x-pipe?

I think that's about enough questions for one day!
If you’re looking to be cost effective, stick to your original plan. The TPIS headers make good power. The stock cats are not that bad. Just keep them. From what I have seen the high flow cats are only worth 5-7rwhp. I’ve seen 9 second (1/4 mile) C5’s running the stock cats. A couple of cuts and welds to install the TPIS headers is no big deal.

The only drawback to the TPIS headers is that they all seem to rust eventually.

Also an off road x-pipe means that it replaces the cats with straight pipe. The Corsa x-pipe is not an off road x-pipe. The Corsa x-pipe is installed behind (down stream of) the cats.

Thanks! All good info. I hate sounding like such a noob... this is my second C5 to mod, just never ventured into C5 headers before.

The only drawback to the TPIS headers is that they all seem to rust eventually.



That would be correct! :judge:

I believe the more I think about it, the more confused I get. I am about to upgrade to some lt headers, but I'm on a budget, and so it complicates things a little. This is for an '01 Z

I'm looking at the TPIS lt's (which have to be welded -a negative) for about $650 and maybe picking up some used high flow cats, hopefully around $250 or so. I already have a corsa x-pipe (does that even help?), so that would be headers, high flow cats and an x-pipe for about $900.

It seems that the big three: LG's, Kooks, and Supermaxx dyno about the same, and cost between $1400 to $1900 for the kit. I'm trying to get that power for about half the price... is it even doable?

I don't mind used headers, but can't seem to find the kooks or dynotechs for $900 or so.

Would I be better off just gutting my pre cats instead of going with aftermarket cats? I know the 01 Z's have the pup cats, can they be gutted? I'm ready to pull the trigger, so any help would be great!!!

Thanks.

I'd suggest spending the money. I've wasted waaaay too much time tracking down a problem that ended up being broken "I" brackets on my mild steel flp headers...and that was with experts other than me being involved..

Trust me I've spent more on wires/welds etc...and reinstallation to make my present mild steel headers work well. The stainless steel headers like kooks and LG's weren't out when I bought my headers a few years ago....and I paid like 2 grand installed for this mild steel jet hot coated crap...

This is a place to buy quality. You don't want second rate headers on....The labor costs....will catch up and make the "lower initial cost" a break even by the time your done...

Or I should say thats been my experience........

btw..there is not that much power in the header conversion.....by itself...IMO..

Do a cam and header installed for about 3500 dollars and you'll have spent your money better.

I wasn't that impressed with the header alone on my 2001 z06. It needed the extra cam to be a worth while mod.........(then the header broke....blah...blah..and it was a bitch tracking it down as it was throwing off the tune...blah...blah...blah..Email me if you want to shoot the breeze about it)

JMO and a buddy of mine gutted his cats and the size of the cans with nothing in them actually hurt his performance or so he said...so its not the best way to go..

LG just brought out a new cat, which they told me is cheaper and flows a little better than their previous version. I got my set from them for $1695 (with cats) and had them install and tune it for $500 (of course + sales tax). With the tune, I picked up 30 Hp and 26 ftlbs to 340rwhp and 354rwtq. Only other mod is a blackwing on an 02 coupe.

btw..there is not that much power in the header conversion.....by itself...IMO..

Do a cam and header installed for about 3500 dollars and you'll have spent your money better.

I wasn't that impressed with the header alone on my 2001 z06. It needed the extra cam to be a worth while mod..


I can see how this can happen. 01's had better flowing manifolds, but the 01 LS6 had the weaker cam. I would assume the 02+ guys with the better breathing cam would see better results from header alone. I'm definitely going to get a cam as soon as Futral gets the ball rolling on this group buy.

If I were buying headers for a C5 today, I'd get a set of the QTP Tri-Ys. :nod:

http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/Headers/c5headers.php

Look into the Jet hots they fit awesome don't let anyone tell you diffrent, my friend has them on his 01 C5