What brand of Headers work best

[Achilles]

I've decided its time to add a set of headers to my LT1, but I'm not sure what brand works best. I've searched most of the old threads and I'm still not sure. The headers I'm seeing in the corvette catalogs don't look anything like the headers I'm used to seeing. They look like glorified exhaust manifolds. I have to keep my California emissions, so I know long tubes are out of the question even if they were to fit the car. So for you California guys out there, are these little stubby headers what we're stuck with? Is so, which ones work best? I seriously do care more about their performance than appearance. Also, do I have to change the Y-pipe or is this a direct bolt-on?

Thanks in advance

 

[Moonunit 451]

Shorties it is in Cali from what I've read :cry

 

[Mad-Mic]

i would think as long as it has all the AIR hookups and EGR hookup it would be emmissions legal but i've pretty much read the same things from cali guys. shorties or maybe mid lengths but i'm not sure if anyone sells a mid length for a C4.

check these out
http://www.exoticmuscle.com/webpage.php?EMCAT=vette&MENU=SHOWPARTS&CATSEL=EXHAUST

scroll almost to the bottom. there are shorties there and aren't glorified manifolds

call them and ask if they have the air hook ups and egr hook up. if not talk to your local muffler guy/welder and see if he can cut your old air tubes off and tap and weld them on your new stuff along with an egr hookup on #8 cylinder.

 

[Achilles]

Thanks Mic. I checked out that site. It just seems like a waste to spend 3 or 4 hundres dollars for a set of those shorties that are probably good for 10 HP. I dunno if their good for any more than that. I like the long tubes they had to offer. Maybe I could get some fab work done to make them legal. As long as I pass smog, that's all that matters.

Hopefully some Cali guys have some info on what they're running and what kind of performance gains.

 

[89vert]

I have heard that Cali has a visual inspection and any aftermarket exhaust parts have to have an EO#. I don't know this to be fact but it is what I have read. I have also heard that shorties are the only legal headers in Cali. Hope this helps. Tim

 

[Moonunit 451]

I have heard that Cali has a visual inspection and any aftermarket exhaust parts have to have an EO#. I don't know this to be fact but it is what I have read. I have also heard that shorties are the only legal headers in Cali. Hope this helps. Tim

You are correct SIR! This has been discussed in many places, and I've seen the same thing posted repeatedly. No one makes anything other than shorties that will pass the visual and have the documentation

 

[WhalePirot]

I have heard that Cali has a visual inspection and any aftermarket exhaust parts have to have an EO#.

True, to be exacting, and it's not just exhaust parts. "Shorties" must have EO's, as must "long tubes".

However..... I am running my second set of 'long tubes', over more than 15 years, without major SMOG inspection issues. Both sets had/have AIR fittings, which work. The first set was TRACO; this set is from TPIS. Neither has drawn much attention from any tester, and I have never been asked for the EO numbers, nor had to have the stickers posted underhood, as the law states.

The EO (emission exemption) numbers can be an issue, but is not insurmountable. I ask around for a tester who works with performance cars. I have called the guy and/or actually visited, asking about the issue before commiting to a test. I have heard of some guys who offer an EO# for a header, albeit not the one they run. Who can tell, anyway, which brand your particular header is?

I loved the seat-of-the-pants improvement, both times. Go coated, definitely.

 

[Achilles]

Thanks Whalepirot. So with the TPIS headers, will I be able to retain and reconnect all the smog sh%# under the hood? I know my smog tech and he does alot of testing for the car clubs around here. I don't think it will be much of an issue with him. But I know he won't risk loosing his license over it.

Where do I look for the TPIS headers and about how much $$?

 

[maxrevs85]

The TPIS headers are a great product. They fit perfect . The installation was truly easy. They have all the smog hookups also.

www.tpis.com

 

[WhalePirot]

Yer welcome.

I know he won't risk losing his license over it.

No, none of them will. .

Where do I look for the TPIS headers and about how much $$?

What MAX said...
Where in CA are you?

 

[Edmond]

Could passing or not passing also depend on the tester?

 

[WhalePirot]

Could passing or not passing also depend on the tester?

Absotively!

Don't get me started!

 

[Achilles]

Where in CA are you?

Palmdale - Antelope Valley

 

[garycr14]

i would think as long as it has all the AIR hookups and EGR hookup it would be emmissions legal but i've pretty much read the same things from cali guys. shorties or maybe mid lengths but i'm not sure if anyone sells a mid length for a C4.

Shorties are the only ones that are legal in California. I have ceramic coated hookers on mine, and am happy with them, although it makes it tougher to change the spark plugs. Be sure that whatever you buy has a CARB number, or you better have a connection at a smog shop. They do a visual inspection in our state, as I am sure you must know.

 

[Achilles]

Shorties are the only ones that are legal in California. I have ceramic coated hookers on mine, and am happy with them, although it makes it tougher to change the spark plugs. Be sure that whatever you buy has a CARB number, or you better have a connection at a smog shop. They do a visual inspection in our state, as I am sure you must know.

What was the difference in power gain with the shorties from the stock manifolds? Slight or definite improvement?

 

[Edmond]

What was the difference in power gain with the shorties from the stock manifolds? Slight or definite improvement?

The gain is slight. IMO, not really worth going to shorties for the money.

 

[JEFNLSA]

The gain is slight. IMO, not really worth going to shorties for the money.

Good to know cuz it's an idea I'm kickin' around as well. In AZ (on 96 & up) they just plug in and do a code scan so I may be able to get away w/ long tubes...not sure.

 

[Edmond]

Good to know cuz it's an idea I'm kickin' around as well. In AZ (on 96 & up) they just plug in and do a code scan so I may be able to get away w/ long tubes...not sure.

That's what they do here as well for the 96' and newer vehicles. As long as you don't throw codes, you pass. Cook County is probably second worst next to CA in terms of being smog nazi's.

 

[WhalePirot]

What was the difference in power gain with the shorties from the stock manifolds?

According to SLP, there is little diference between the long tubes and their shortie, SS headers. I am not sure I believe it. I had a pair, sold them to a local CACer who must have escaped to Oz, and installed the TPIS setup: long tubes to tail end.

I recommend you talk to some local cat nuts or shops to find a SMOG shop. I was as concerned as you about all this, but have had no problems in all these years. (knock wood)

 

[garycr14]

I have been temped to go with the long tubes, and I do know a few people who run them. Worse case scenerio is that you have to remove the long tubes @ go back to stock for the test, then replace them afterwards. Would seem like a long days work, but it can be done. I wish there were a way to get the smog nazis to just check the readings, and not worry about how we do it.