Generation IV External Engine LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Header Primary Diameter for 440

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 03:34 PM
  #1  
fallen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Upper West Side, New York City/Very Downtown, Houston
Default Header Primary Diameter for 440

I have a 440 stroker w/ TFS 235s on my 04 Z06.

I am currently making 550/520 rwhp/rwtq through 1 3/4 LGs and stock Ti mufflers.

I need to know which headers I should get (assuming 1 7/8). Should I go bigger?

Also, I am going to get some weld on dumps, but the car must have highflow cats and keep the stock tis. Can the dumps go before the cats? and does it really matter that much that the dumps may be placed after the cats?

Thanks,

Rich
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 04:14 PM
  #2  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,491
Likes: 1
From: Bethesda, MD
Default

If the dumps are before the cats, the car will fail inspection if you are trying to keep a legal appearance.

FWIW, I don't think I've seen any of the header makers post that their 1 7/8" significantly outperforms the LG 1 3/4" on a C6 Z06. This may not provide the best return for the money.

Do you have a fairly mild cam?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 04:56 PM
  #3  
fallen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Upper West Side, New York City/Very Downtown, Houston
Default

thanks. from what I have read, the 1 7/8 do not significantly outperform the LGs on a atock ls7, but I have a 440 making 550 rw through the factory mufflers.

The cam is fairly big (250s).

So will 1 7/8 add a benefit?

I want the dumps before the cats for max power, but I want cats for cruising around so I dont get lung cancer.

Not worried about inspection.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 06:58 PM
  #4  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,491
Likes: 1
From: Bethesda, MD
Default

Even on moderately modified LS7's I haven't seen anyone make the switch and gain more than 10 or so HP. Doesn't mean that you won't, only that I missed that post as variation among cammed cars can be big.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 07:26 PM
  #5  
fallen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Upper West Side, New York City/Very Downtown, Houston
Default

Thanks. Looks like I stick with my LGs then and get the air tube which broke off rewelded. (didn't mention it before).

Then I will do some dumps to see if I can get the power up by 20 rwhp or so.

Anyone else with an opinion?
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 10:08 PM
  #6  
rookie89's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default

I would think with your larger engine and cam, that the 1.75"s may be choking it a little bit, and that a 1.875" would pick up some up some on the top end. After you put the dumps on it'll probably be more obvious if the headers are a restriction or not. As far as where to put the dumps, most seem to place them just before the catback on a C5. Might be an issue with lack of backpressure if you put them before the cats that far up the exhaust. All that said, that'd just be my questions if in your shoes.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2009 | 10:10 PM
  #7  
LS6427's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,289
Likes: 13
From: South Florida
Default

I'm surprised with a 440ci that 1 7/8" headers wouldn't yield more of an increase in HP over the 1 3/4".
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2009 | 06:34 PM
  #8  
MPM IV's Avatar
Launching!
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

I doubt you'd see an increase worth the money, but what is your goal? The car has to be pretty fast as is. I think loosing your cats is the best HP gain to be had for the dollar, but you will definately smell exhaust.
There's a point of diminishing returns, and I think you're there. There are no big gains from 550, only small ones that do add up, but take a toll on your wallet.
I'm running 1 7/8" stepped to 2".
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 3, 2009 | 07:59 PM
  #9  
fallen's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Upper West Side, New York City/Very Downtown, Houston
Default

Originally Posted by MPM IV
I doubt you'd see an increase worth the money, but what is your goal? The car has to be pretty fast as is. I think loosing your cats is the best HP gain to be had for the dollar, but you will definately smell exhaust.
There's a point of diminishing returns, and I think you're there. There are no big gains from 550, only small ones that do add up, but take a toll on your wallet.
I'm running 1 7/8" stepped to 2".
Roger.

My airtube broke on my LG and I need to get it rewelded. Since I am in an apt complex right now I may have to pay for labor to have the header removed. So I figured while it was out I would swap the headers for bigger headers if the gain was sizable enough. Maybe I'll just have some dumps welded on after the x-pipe and call it quits.

PS thanks for your help thus far.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2009 | 10:31 PM
  #10  
bigdsz's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,876
Likes: 1
From: Mount Dora, Fla
Default

My 408 is giving me 524/501 through 1 3/4 Jet Hots, I also have been debating on whether to go to 1 7/8, the 1 7/8 have a 15% greater cross section. If I only get ~10 more hp I don't know if $1,000 is worth it.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:57 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE