go with headers. 
BBK Headers or LS6, Which First?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 113
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From: Kailua HI
BBK Headers or LS6, Which First? I have a 00 SS and can only afford either the headers or the intake right now, so which one will benifit me more? Car has Lid, MAF, ported throttle body and cat back right now.
You will only get the full benefit of the ls6 if you have headers but headers alone will net the best increase if you have to do one or the other. Honestly, the intake would be cheaper and much easier to do if that is a factor. I did headers first but also had to do motor mounts/trans/torque arm bushings... o2 extensions and egr removal...
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Maryland
The stock LS1 intake is perfectly fine until you start modding the car heavier (cam, heads, etc., etc.), then it would benefit you to switch over. You might see a tiny gain if you do it now, but nothing like what you would see if you got LT's.
Everyone is saying headers & it was one of my first mods but I honestly didnt notice much difference like I did after I got an LS6 intake. The intake really woke the car up, def. felt a difference but maybe because I already had LTs. I had $600 into my LTs & ORY but only $300 into the used intake. If I were to do it all over again I would get the intake first, then LTs would follow shortly after.
TECH Addict
Joined: Apr 2009
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Really? I thought there was a pretty big difference even on a stock car. I havent done the swap yet though. I am just going to wait until next season.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 102
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From: Dirty South
On a heavy modded motor 8-12hp with a ported LS6 intake.
The LT headers 20-25hp
Where are you getting your numbers ? My old 98 gained 16horse and 11Tq with an ls6 intake swap before a tune with just headers and lid only...