Headers question

[Pac-man]

Hello everyone. Does anyone have any insight on headers, both long and short. What are the benefits, and is it a worth while mod when done solely as a bolt-on with no other engine mods, ie. heads, cam, etc. I currently run Borla Stingers and a twin cone K&N intake. If I bolt on a set of headers, what kind of HP can I expect to gain and will the exhaust note change? Thanks in advance.

 

[JBsC5]

Go with Stainless steel headers without a doubt..


I'd recommend either LG headers for 2000 installed with tune or kooks for about 1750 with tune..

I'd say between 20 and peak 30 rwhp is possible..but the real key is the improved hp and torque available at mid range rpms..

Trust me and go with stainless steel...(either application)

These two I mentioned have x pipe and high flow cats as well included in pricing..

Those are the two I'd look at if I ever need to replace my mild steel Jet coated FLP's which I'm not so happy with lately..

Of course if you really plan on upping the hp on your car over time..

I'd really suggest passing on the headers and saving up to throw a magnuson supercharger on it..

The guys out in long island.....the vette doctors have an 8 grand installed package with painted hood..

Sounds like quadruple the money but you get an easy 150 hp increase and for just another 200 dollars you get a 3 year/36K mile full drivetrain warranty..

If i had to do it all over again? I'd pass on all the small bits and pieces mods and just do one mod..A magnuson supercharger...preferable the intercooled version but if the preowned price is right? I' might consider a preowned non intercooled version even without the warranty..

Just a different perspective before you consider dropping 2 grand on headers ....

Hope you don't mind the long winded response...

JB

 

[Pac-man]

Great info. Thank you, very knowledgeable. That's just the type of detailed answer I was looking for. What do you think about a gear swap and torque converter, with or without the headers as opposed to the supercharger?

 

[JBsC5]

The convertor and gear swap should cost about???


800 for the convertor (Yank 3500 with 1.6 str)
500 (used 3.42's) or $1,000 for new.
500 for installation
300 to 500 for pcm upgrade

-----------------

2100 or there about w/used 3.42 or 2600 w/new parts

I have to say that without drag radials I'd still rather save and just go with the magnuson supercharger. I bet the intercooled versions are around for probably a grand less then the intercooled ones..if not more..

Hooking up with a torque convertor on street tires is kind of tough..

-----------

I might just be on the magnuson supercharger kick but for 8 grand installed with a painted hood and its intercooled from the vette doctors as an example...just seems a better way to go..

I swear everytime someone does a mod like headers or convertor and gears it ineviably (sp) leads to more down the road...

Seen it a thousand times and that includes myself which is why I suggest considering the supercharger route with the 36 month/ 36K mile extended drivetrain warranty...

Wait a year or so if you need to decide but it really is the way I would go ..if I could go back in time and redo what I've done..

 

[mike weyman]

a set of headers(long tube) 1 5/8 primary tubes, into a 2 1/2 " exhaust system,
a 2400 stall convertor with a set of 355 gears will make you sit up and take notice and it won't cost you 8 grand.seat of the pants will feel like an added 100 h.p. actual increase would be less than 40 h.p. it just gets to the ground quicker. for 8G you can order a highly modified crate engine with 400 plus h.p.mike

 

[JBsC5]

Mike,


whats great about these forums is all the different perspectives on which way to achieve goals..

The question I have is who makes 355 gears for a c5?

I've never seen that before..

Definitely a lot of choices..

I was just voicing some 20/20 hindsight perspectives of what I would do if I could..

I still say convertor/gears/headers would be in the 4500 range with new parts vs. 8 grand for the full boat supercharger..

Just an opinion..

Good luck

 

[Bioscache2]

Mike,


whats great about these forums is all the different perspectives on which way to achieve goals..

The question I have is who makes 355 gears for a c5?

I've never seen that before..

Definitely a lot of choices..

I was just voicing some 20/20 hindsight perspectives of what I would do if I could..

I still say convertor/gears/headers would be in the 4500 range with new parts vs. 8 grand for the full boat supercharger..

Just an opinion..

Good luck

Do you have a website for the vette doctors you spoke of. I'm not in the market now but I might be down the road.

 

[JBsC5]

http://www.thevettedoctors.com/

 

[Pac-man]

What about 3:73 gears?

 

[JBsC5]

I have the 3.73 gears in my manual tranny six speed. I used to use fourth gear a lot with the 3.42's on the highway..Now I use fifth. I don't remember the gearing on the A4 so its hard for me to say..


If fourth is an overdrive in the A4 then probably the 3.73's for a grand installed is a way to go. Might be too much gear so best to double check with those that have the A4 and 3.73's and use the car on the highway...

I can't say one way or the other how it is as a daily driver.

I know with my 3.73 gears w/ the six speed manual I now use 5th gear when I used to just use 4th..

HTH

Good luck

JB

 

[Pac-man]

What about a torque converter with the 3:73's?

 

[JBsC5]

Pac Man..


I am of the belief that it would be better to get the supercharger but what the hell do I know... I do believe the 3500 yank 1.6 str and either the 3.42 gears or the 3.73's would be a cool mod..

Not sure about the durability though..so I'd have to say keep it in mind..

If you get headers/cam/gears/convertor and ls1edit your looking at quite a few dollars..

I had gotten to the point where I was about to do those mods on my 1999 C5 and decided I wanted a stick shift so I bought a Z06. It was before superchargers were as mainstream as they are today.

The 36 month and 36K mile warranty thats available with the magnuson supercharger sort of intrigues me so when I saw your post I just voiced my opinion.

Take it for what its worth. Nothing more.

Happy holidays and enjoy thinking about it.

JB

 

[Pac-man]

I agree that the supercharger w/warranty is the way to go. Thanks.

 

[hcolon]

Pac Man, just installed:

Dynatech supermaxx system with corsa indy's, damn! Worth the bucks. Had it done in Tampa at Rev Extreme. Had a Vararam installed at the same time, and a tune. Before, stock rwhp around 285. After bolt-ons described above, left there at 325 rwhp and 340rwtq. so, in my case, about 35 more or so. What really improved was not so much the peak hp, but the torque starts low, and hard. She really pulls now. If i go with heads and cams later on, can figure on another maybe 75 more? The car is still as drivable as stock, but when you stomp on the pedal, sweet music!! Total cost, around 2,500 if you install, then about 500.00 for the tune. If a shop installs, then around 600.00 more for that. Tuning is not necesary, but beneficial. So far, not one code or error message on the dic. Hope this helps.......
Later, Herbie

 

[*89x2*]

What about 3:73 gears?

I believe those gears would be "too much gear" on your automatic - something around 3.45 would be strong and shift close to where you want it to

As far as headers...

Check these out - Callaway Cars isn't far from you at all - They just did two "Power Group III" cars last week, 109 hp over stock (LS1)
they have a website www.callawaycars.com and can be reached at (860)4349002 - Mike Vendetto is the guy to talk with on these components - Hope this helps

 

[JBsC5]

109 hp from what mods? Not headers by themselves right?

 

[*89x2*]

109 hp from what mods? Not headers by themselves right?

Nope - Good catch

It is Callaways Power Group I, II, and III combined Callaway_Power_Groups_Info:

Consists of-
PG I:
Honker C5 Air Induction

Double-D Exhaust System
​

PG II:
BigBore Throttle Body (1997-2004 only)

T304 Stainless Steel Tubular Headers
​

UHC-8 Ignition Wire Set​

PG III:​

CNC-Ported Cylinder Heads ​

Hydraulic Roller Camshaft
​

High-Ratio Rocker Arms
​

 

[JBsC5]

Thanks for the clarification. I am sure anything Callaway plans for Corvettes is top notch.


Have a good one.

JB