Headers
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
I can handle this one since I'm new here, have gotten alot of information from this site, but haven't had anything to offer the experienced guys.
If you'd have searched even a little bit you'd already have your answers.
The consensus here is that shorty headers on these cars is pretty much a complete waste of time and money. You're going to pretty much hear long tubes or nothing. But do some research on long tubes - they'll require O2 sensor extensions (or corvette O2 sensors,) they do not mate up to your stock y pipe, and in most areas that have emissions inspection they technically aren't emissions legal (can be made to pass the actual emissions test in most localities, but really aren't supposed to pass most visual inspections.) And if you don't get a y pipe with cats, I *think* you'll need either a custom tune of your computer or O2 simulators for the rear O2 sensors (in order to keep your service engine soon light off.)
Most on here are going to say that the coating on coated headers isn't going to last, though some guys say that the BBK brand coated headers hold up well. Stainless won't rust but is higher priced. Painted is definitely going to rust. I *think* the rust, in the short and medium term, isn't much more than an aesthetic thing...long term, like any exhaust component, I suppose the pipes could rust through and give you a leak, but I think that's very long term.
As for brand, what you should do is search the forum for specific brands and read other users' experiences about how hard the install was and what all was involved (some people have to grind on their k-member and or drive shaft to get their headers to fit) and what the fitment was like (especially ground clearance of the y-pipe.) Consider that the more affordable headers are probably more often purchased, and on the internet you tend to hear more bad stories than good, so it follows that you'll hear more bad about the affordable headers because there are more being purchased and installed (this is speculation on my part.)
Take the above information and verify it and expand on it by doing searches. For example, if you read about the installs of others you'll hear that alot of guys really like the GM brand header gaskets and think that installing urethane motor mounts at the same time as the headers makes sense because you're already right there during the install and good, new motor mounts might make the headers go in and fit better.
Hope that helps, but I think it needs to be considered just a starting point. And do your searches in the EXternal engine forum, which deals with bolt ons (including exhaust.)
If you'd have searched even a little bit you'd already have your answers.
The consensus here is that shorty headers on these cars is pretty much a complete waste of time and money. You're going to pretty much hear long tubes or nothing. But do some research on long tubes - they'll require O2 sensor extensions (or corvette O2 sensors,) they do not mate up to your stock y pipe, and in most areas that have emissions inspection they technically aren't emissions legal (can be made to pass the actual emissions test in most localities, but really aren't supposed to pass most visual inspections.) And if you don't get a y pipe with cats, I *think* you'll need either a custom tune of your computer or O2 simulators for the rear O2 sensors (in order to keep your service engine soon light off.)
Most on here are going to say that the coating on coated headers isn't going to last, though some guys say that the BBK brand coated headers hold up well. Stainless won't rust but is higher priced. Painted is definitely going to rust. I *think* the rust, in the short and medium term, isn't much more than an aesthetic thing...long term, like any exhaust component, I suppose the pipes could rust through and give you a leak, but I think that's very long term.
As for brand, what you should do is search the forum for specific brands and read other users' experiences about how hard the install was and what all was involved (some people have to grind on their k-member and or drive shaft to get their headers to fit) and what the fitment was like (especially ground clearance of the y-pipe.) Consider that the more affordable headers are probably more often purchased, and on the internet you tend to hear more bad stories than good, so it follows that you'll hear more bad about the affordable headers because there are more being purchased and installed (this is speculation on my part.)
Take the above information and verify it and expand on it by doing searches. For example, if you read about the installs of others you'll hear that alot of guys really like the GM brand header gaskets and think that installing urethane motor mounts at the same time as the headers makes sense because you're already right there during the install and good, new motor mounts might make the headers go in and fit better.
Hope that helps, but I think it needs to be considered just a starting point. And do your searches in the EXternal engine forum, which deals with bolt ons (including exhaust.)
stainless longtubes from a sponsor over there ------------>
ive had qtp's for about 4 years. they still look nice and fit well. they were $700. there are some cheaper and then there are some more expensive.
ive had qtp's for about 4 years. they still look nice and fit well. they were $700. there are some cheaper and then there are some more expensive.
Don't bother with shorty's or mids. I have Pacesetter long tubes ceramic coated and they are a bargain....I have had them on now for almost 7 years and 175,000+ miles and they still look good and have not rusted....I used a off road Y pipe from Texas Speed and it has not rusted either. Total cost was around $500 for both. Car is a daily driver heads/cam all the bolt ons and makes 452/418. Think about how long you will be keeping this car. That should help you decide how much $$$ you are going to spend. Probably not 2-3 Hp difference and any of them on the market. So do not get caught up in all the advertising BS. I did not think that was going to keep this car this long. But I have been pleasantly surprised at low well these headers/W pipe have held up.
I have to chime in about ceramic coated pacesetters. I have had them for 4 years and put 5,000 miles on. The coating to me is not very good. My collectors have tons of rust and the primaries have a bunch of surface rust. Yes they are cheap, but if I had to do it again id go stainless. But since im going turbo im not worried about headers. Lol
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On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Camano Island Wa
I didn't want to scrimp, so I got Kooks and even though they are SS, I still had them jet hot coated. They still look like they were installed yesterday. And they have excellent fitment when installing.
Careful with the ORY. Depending on the catback, you can wind up with some nasty rasp. You won't lose power with high flow cats.
Here you can see my b4 & after LT power gains.
Careful with the ORY. Depending on the catback, you can wind up with some nasty rasp. You won't lose power with high flow cats.
Here you can see my b4 & after LT power gains.
Kooks has great headers...I have them and they still look new after 8 years. But their Y-pipe merge design SUCKS for the price you pay and for that reason I would go with ARH. Oh and get 1 7/8.
