Clarity needed in a confusing header world..
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.
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.
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Erie, PA
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 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?
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.
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.
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: H-Town
Originally Posted by David Gordon
What is wrong with TPIS as compared with the others? Do they make more power?
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.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: H-Town
Originally Posted by David Gordon
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.
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!
I think that's about enough questions for one day!
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, MD
Originally Posted by REDLYNER
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!
I think that's about enough questions for one day!
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.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: ..
Originally Posted by REDLYNER
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'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.
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........
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: ..
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..
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..
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Cordova, TN
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.
Originally Posted by JBsC5
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..
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.
11 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
If I were buying headers for a C5 today, I'd get a set of the QTP Tri-Ys. 
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/.../c5headers.php
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/.../c5headers.php