C5 Corvette Headers - Everything You Need to KNOW!
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- Опубліковано 14 гру 2024
- C5 Corvette Headers! Longtube headers, shorty headers, underhood heat and a whole lot more based upon dyno test results and not by marketing. If you have ever thought about headers for your C5 Corvette then this video is for you!
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BEST VIDEO YET!!!!
Generally what I have found is that a good set of long tubes makes the most gains in mid range torque and horsepower, it’s not all about the peak number. If you can gain 30-40 lb/ft down low in can really wake up a NA motor.
I did see a couple of Dynos that did show some pretty good torque gains down low, somewhere around the order of 25 ft pounds. Points well taken ideally one would look at average horsepower and torque in the operating range you intend to use it. Interestingly enough, most of the installs/ tests did not maintain the stock catalytic converters. I wonder if they mute any gains that long tubes have with regards to scavenging exhaust efficiency.... That'll be part two...lol
Totally agree! It's not so much the HP gains, but the torque gains which really woke up my mildly cammed LS3 !!!!
I have been running American Racing Headers' LT's for 13 years (about 60k miles) on my '99 C5 and have had no problems with heat. Run TI catbacks (no drone), hi-po cats w/xpipe and pull 430RWHP with H/C/H package. It passes inspection sniffer test each year (NJ/NC). Oxygen sensors run fine. I insulated cabin with aluminum backed foam which lowered decibels noticeably and keeps heat out of the interior. Stock setup was throwing heat into the cabin as well probably from the OEM cats. The car is noisier outside, cam/lifters contribute a lot to that, but absolutely not offensive. Thanks for all the great videos.
Thanks for your long term first hand results! What hi po cats are you using - I am in need of one that can take some HP for an upcoming project.
Are your Ti catbacks aftermarket or oem off a Z06?
Great video. Most "in the know" motorheads don't buy long tubes for LS. Tri-Y provide superior torque increases to the useful powerband, although still only in the 20-25 LBFT range for an otherwise stock motor. To prevent engine bay heat issues, wrap with asbestos exhaust wraps. Last comment is on weight; don't headers and an aftermarket exhaust system cut a little weight vs cast iron manifolds? I estimated 25--30lbs but have not confirmed? Not a life changing weight savings, but still a benefit. IMO main drawback with headers is added steps to otherwise straightforward jobs. (R&R of Starter or motor mounts, clutch service, etc.) I like all your videos though, great info!
Thanks for the comment sir much appreciated!
I've had my Corvette for 6 months now, and your channel has been a wealth of useful information. Thank you.
Appreciate that, thank you!
I just took a test-drive of a C5 with a high-performance exhaust system, including long-tube headers ... it was a little too loud for me, but the would-be-seller is proud of that throaty snarl. (And the itty-bitty devil on my shoulder said that my neighbor's Hellcat would hear it as "Here, kitty, kitty....")
Rick, that “here kitty kitty” got me laughing! Great humor! Need more of that every day just to keep from crying…
lol!
lol. The clip at the intro of installing passenger header was from me. :)
I love your header install Video. Especially this one! ua-cam.com/video/68SBLKy789M/v-deo.html
@@Toys4Life That was a fun install for sure!
Hi. really like all the information on your formats. I have a couple of questions. I took your advice on the 342-rear differential, and am installing a set, but is necessary to install a stall converter? I don't race, drag, just like torque. Also, your information regarding headers was very informative. I have a 99 C5. I assume they have the same headers as the newer ones, or would it be cheaper for me to get a stock set from a C6 if I don't? The heat with a good set of headers does worry me a bit. Thanks......James.
Nope, it's not required that you do a higher than stock RPM stall converter. If you're 20 years old and you want to drag race with slicks and break stuff, then get a stall converter (:-).
On my 02 Z06 I installed an Xpipe retained the titanium exhaust and had a really good tuner do his thing. I gained 30 wheel horsepower for a lot less money than a set of name brand headers. It was a simple bolt on, retained the reliability and produced similar results!
I would love to dyno an xpipe vs the fake C5 H-Pipe. Fake cause the hole that is in each main pipe is the size of a nickle for some reason...
Great video. My '99 convertible is in the shop as I write this getting a set of 220 cast heads, a BTR stage 3 cam, LS6 intake, and some 36# injectors. I have been having sleepless nights about not throwing some Hooker Blackhearts on it to complete the package. However, I live in a pretty strict emission county, and would have to find creative ways to register the car if I pulled the stock manifold and cats. I always knew the stock exhaust was better than most will admit. On my baseline Dynojet, the car made 316 HP at 24 years old. Being 345 stock at the crank, that's only an 8% loss, including the age of the engine. I am going to stick with the stock exhaust and sleep easy knowing I will still pass emissions. Thanks for an honest comparison. I am in the crowd that says $2000 for headers to pick up maybe 20 HP on a street rod isn't a good investment. Especially if you get caught and fined for the cat delete.
I have always thought one of the easiest ways to increase engine horsepower is to improve air intake and exhaust outlet. The headers are hotter than stock manifolds because they are removing engine heat more efficiently, thereby reducing heat and excessive wear in the upper engine block and heads. Headers also improve gas mileage, which for me is a nice added benefit.
Headers definitely add some power, but LS exhaust manifolds are pretty damn efficient there is no doubt. '60s '70s and even '80s exhaust manifolds had a lot of resistance to flow.
Have had Long-tubes on my 1997 C5 for 14 years. No issues with heat. But then again, it's not a daily and I don't drive across country with it.
Thanks for the feedback sir!
Great video as usual !
One thing to consider if concerned about heat on long tube headers is getting them ceramic coated using a high quality shop that performs this.
I had my American Racing Headers coated inside and out, and heat is not an issue!
Good to know, and the good stuff last quite a long time as well!
iam gonan clean up the stockers and ceramic coating and match teh collector size to pipe size mandrel bent high flow cats
I do think the Longtube heat thing is slightly exaggerated though by many car folks. In these C5s as long as you got longer plug wires and your A/C lines are still insulated/out of the way, you are gonna be fine the vast majority of the time. People talk as if these things are gonna melt everything and catch stuff on fire lol. Unless you live in 100* weather areas you will be fine. Just make sure wires are out the way, and/or wrap the starter on these cars if ya are a worrier, and you will be fine.
Appreciate the feedback! Assuming you have LTs on yours - for our knowledge, what Kind and how long have you had em without any issues or excessive heat? If you had it to do over again, what brand would you buy and would they be ceramic coated?
@@Toys4Life Have the Speed Engineering set on my 01 C5. They are stainless, and 1 7/8 design. No fitment issues. This is arguably the best budget Longtube for these cars, tons of folks run em besides me. Only issues the clamps arent the greatest, but that minor, can tak weld em if needed. They also are not ceramic coated. I have longer wires, off road xpipe that comes with em, little over 500 shipped. I haven't had any issues, I also am on Eastcoast so high 90s is about as bad is gets my way generally. Nothing burned or melted anything, ive ran em a few months now. If you live in areas with crazy heat id say look for a ceramic coated set, or get these ceramic coated for extra piece of mind.
Thanks for the feedback! - I have heard mostly good things about them - seem like one of the better choices for sure for those that choose to run long tubes!
@@SimplyJustRandomnessI have speed engineering headers on my c6 I’ve ran them through summer Florida heat and nothing bad has happened to the engine bay.
I have a 1998 camaro, it’s obviously not a C5 but it has the same drivetrain. I got the car bone stock with 12,000 miles. Every time I would punch the car I would have low end power but it felt like I lost a lot of power at the mid-high end. I threw a set of Texas speed 1-7/8 long tubes a off-road y-pipe and corsa high-flow muffler. The first time I took the car out I could instantly tell a difference, I had a little more low-end power but A LOT more mid-high end power. The stock manifolds flow decent for what they are, but the rest of the exhaust with the catalytic converters to the mufflers are so constricting. The headers with a better flowing exhaust definitely help out, plus they sound nice :)
Yeah those f-body exhaust manifolds are much more restrictive than the Corvettes. Ditching those and the cats, I absolutely believe you noticed a good increase!
The more I look into it, the more I think I will stick with just the already completed BBE cat-back exhaust upgrade. Hard to justify another 20 horse (max) pushing out $1500 for the header upgrade! Not to mention, I notice my stock C5 does already tend to run hot at idle after too long. Still only has 17k original on the clock, too.
That is pretty spendy on a HP per dollar basis IMO too!
Have you blown out your radiator? C5's grab air from under the front bumper and will "vacuum" up road debris and dirt.
@@michaelbrakey4599 keeping the air filter clean has not been an issue. The car only has 18k on the clock at this point 👉. 👈
@@michaelr.ingelsby1975 not your air filter, but the radiator. Mine would overheat if I idled it too long. Once I took the shrouds off, vacuumed the larger debris out and took a air nozzle and cleaned out the crud between the radiator and condenser fins corrected the problem. Now my Vette can idle all day long in 100 degree heat and never get much above 200 degrees on the gauge. I blow it out 2-3 times a year and have installed a screen on the air scoop to keep leaves and garbage from getting up there. If that doesn't help, you may want to burp your cooling system, just a bit of air will decrease the cooling systems efficiency.
The c5 is designed to run hot
Im a happy C5 owner but even I felt the Mustang roast at the end of this amazing video!
Thanks!! & ha - just having fun with the ford fans. I actually like the newest mustangs a lot!
Back in "The Days of the Old Republic" a set of headers was a great performance/value enhancement. But WOW! They are SO expensive. And if you put a set on, you HAVE TO upgrade the X-pipe and cat-backs. And if you pay for a professional installation, you could be looking at over $3,000. But look at those LS1 cast iron manifolds. They are cast iron shorties! BRAVO Chevrolet Engineering!
Agreed! Although if you do get headers, they are a lot better than they were back in the day as well. I think I had a set of $99 painted Hedman headers on my 74 blazer 350...
I don't know if you guys still check the comments for this video, but, what the hell, figure I'll give it a shot, for I have some questions.
1) do they still make that, I suppose one could call it "header wrap tape"? As a child, my family had a 2nd gen Camaro who's headers made the engine compartment get hot as hell. My father put that wrap around the headers, and it significantly cooled things down in there.
2) if yes, do you think if one got a set of coated headers, AND wrapped them with said tape, it'd keep the compartment of a C5 close to factory temp?
3) what if one did the above, but also tossed on some kind of vented hood, and perhaps tuned the computer to kick the secondary fan on at a lower temp?
And, finally, 4) if one threw long tubes and an x-pipe with cat delete on an otherwise stock C5, would that be TOO much flow? Should such a setup be reserved for hotter than stock cam setups only?
I like the way my '02 Z06 sounds stock with just the cat-back system (Corsa), but I'd like it to be louder. Yet, with how hot as balls the thing tends to run in any situation outside of fast highway driving, I have concerns about the long tubes. What's more, my mechanic always tells me, when I bring this idea up, that it's likely too much flow for a non-cammed block, even one as nice as the '02 Z06.
Header wrap tape wood help cool it off a bit but many say that it will prematurely wear out the headers, so keep that in mind if you drive the car a lot.
I was pretty worried about underhood temps and radiant heat cooking things, but surprisingly I haven't noticed anything remotely alarming even with no coating. LG Street Series longtubes on a 2001 M6 Coupe. Never dynod my car bone stock, but with headers and a tune only (and z06 Ti axle back, which in my opinion is a couple ponies at best) I got a very strong 340/363 at the tire on a dynojet. Installed Torquer v4 and 3.90s since and will soon hit the dyno again.
That's good information, thank you. What state are you in?
I'm in Indiana.
Love my long tubes & x pipe w Borla cat back. no heat issues. Yes it's cammed too.
I bet that sounds pretty good. Any issues with your starter getting too hot yet?
Good info, but I think I'll keep my 2003 C5 stock. Many years ago I had an '88 GTA Firebird (L98 350) and it had a set of custom built Doug Thorley headers. The headers themselves were high quality. The headers were California smog legal - including a CARB EO#. No doubt they increased horsepower but the unexpected consequences became a pain in the butt. The starter motor would absorb a LOT of radiated heat from the headers. That would cause the starter to crank very slowly after more than 20 minutes of driving. I never got around to installing some kind of heat shield on the starter. Also, routing spark plug wires was a hassle because they would burn when they barely touched the headers. After a long drive on the freeway, the brake pedal would get soft. One of the brake lines was too close to one of the header pipes causing the brake fluid to heat soak. Exhaust leaks was another issue to deal with. The header bolts would randomly get loose and that would cause a leak - making the smog test fail. So, I think I'll keep the exhaust stock on my C5.
Luckily the C5 exhaust is pretty dang efficient!
The heat is real. DEI heat products are needed i put a lot of heat protection under the hood and over all hoses lines ac area. Worth the money..
Thanks for commenting - DEI = good stuff for sure!
@@Toys4Life you do a good job on your view's of the c5.
I had BBK shorties on one of my vettes for about 5 years before upgrading to Kooks longtubes. The shorties were installed at the same time as a Bassani xpipe and Borla Stingers. Car had a 228/228/112 cam and ported 241s, made 398 rwhp and 390 rwt.
Changed the cam to a 232/236/113 cam and Kooks Longtubes and off road X pipe and car made 418rwhp and 398rwtq with same heads.
Heat inside the cab along the tunnel seemed to stay the same. I put one of those knee bolsters on the tunnel to keep my leg off of it when it gets warm. Definitely helped.
So do you think the gain from the Kooks over the shorties was worth it -in other words, would you do it again for the time, $$ and gain?
@@Toys4Life very good question. This will be a lengthy response.
I always knew I would go forced induction at some point. So that helped with my decision to get the 1 7/8 Kooks when I did.
The power difference between the shorties and the long tubes is roughly only 15 to 20rwhp. I’ve proven that to myself with the two builds and the rwhp variance only being only 20hp and 8tq even though I upped the size of the cam.
I’d say the major difference that made the spend worth it to me is the exhaust note. Especially at wide open throttle. The car sounds unique. I absolutely love how it sounds.
I’ve had at least 30 compliments on how it sounds. Three guys in three different scenarios tell me “it sounds like a liter bike when it passed by me”.
Once a toll booth attendant said “wow, I thought I heard a bike revving up, I love bikes, so I was looking for it, but it’s your car. That thing sounds awesome”.
Then my neighbors 11 yr old son, at a small Vette event, told his dad (c5 with Corsa and C6 Z06 owner) that my black coupe “sounds the best out of all the cars here”.
So after all said and done, yes I would do it again, but more so for the sound than the added power.
If I were a guy on a limited budget or looking for best bang for the buck performance mod in an MN6…I would do a diff swap to 4.10 vs. long-tubes. I absolutely LOVE 4.10s in these cars. Especially with a bigger cam. But still good on their own.
Appreciate the response sir, thanks for the insights. Part of me wants to build a naturally aspirated C5 with a giant cam and low gears!
@@Toys4Life any time my friend! I enjoy your channel and content. Happy to share my experiences.
Both my 228/228/112 and 232/236/113 cam builds ran 4.10 gears. Not monster cams but the results with the 4.10s were substantial none the less.
The gear puts the car into the powerband immediately. Makes a MASSIVE beneficial difference with a cam that builds power above 2500 rpm. Guys that make negative comments about 4.10 gearing have never run this gear.
I will NEVER own another naturally aspirated MN6 vette without a gear swap. I've done both the 3.90 and 4.10s. The 4.10 is my favorite by far.
I may go back to a 4.10 now that the car is FI. I'm running a 3.42 at the moment with the added power. I just feel like I want the gear again. I haven't decided yet.
@@Toys4Life you should.
My install is just for top speed into turn 1, so near redline in 5th, max airflow. also to prepare for cam heads. Noise will only be an issue early in the morning when I go to the road course.
Bring the neighbors cookies, problem solved. lol
Very useful as I've just bought a 04 Comm Edition and I'm interested in all things to do with C5s. Thank you.
Welcome to C5 life! 6 years later and I still love my 03!
@@Toys4Life thank you. Its arrived and now in the garage tucked up for a few weeks as we're entering winter over here. Have to say I love the look and drive, amazing car. Well worth the wait!
Winter setting in here too, until early April...
C5s are great fun for the pricearooney
Amen a Rooney.
This is why I haven't thrown headers at my Z06 yet. It made 352 whp stone stock. If I installed headers I think I'd be looking at only 20 whp because I don't want an aftermarket cat back and I don't want to delete the cats. I was considering having the H pipe replaced with an X just for sound though and because I have heard some say they got gains from that. I really like the reliability, driveability and quiet of the stock exhaust. No issues with CELs, harmonics, buzzes/rattles, drone etc when you leave a car stock. I drive the car every day here in Phoenix year round so I think stock is better.
In this case, stock is not bad! Thanks for commenting!
I thought the same thing, but I made the leap because 360 to the wheels started to feel slow. So I went longtube without the cats and I couldn't believe the difference. I only gained 30 hp, but it felt like so much more and made me enjoy driving the car again. I've got Corsa's and they are pretty mild until you put your foot in it and then they scream like Nascar. Overall, I'm very happy with the choice.
I have never heard anyone mention heat being an issue at all. If anything they'll actually reduce heat because they dissipate heat much better than cast iron manifolds, which hold on to the heat for hours. Not only that but the reduction in back pressure will help hot exhaust gasses escape, a restrictive stock manifold will cause more backpressure and that will cause the car to generate more heat, not less.
I have long tubes on my F-body Camaro, big cam, high compression aftermarket heads (compression increases heat a lot) and I haven't had a single issue with heat, even when it's 100 degrees outside. F-body engine bays are much tighter and have less room to breath than C5s do. Heat is 100% not an issue at all.
Think about all the surface area of a set of headers versus cast iron manifolds. There's no question, headers radiate significantly more heat than cast iron manifolds. furthermore the cast iron manifolds have the heat shields from the factory which not the heat radiation down even more. Hi underhood temps can cause heat soak which kills power until you cool the intake track down, and what's the long-term effect of all that heat on alternators, air conditioning compressors, electrical connectors etc. I guess we'll just have to respectfully agree to disagree.
@Matt Brad I am not suggesting things will melt within a week. The higher heat will contribute to heat soak in slow driving conditions and over the long term (months to a few years) may take its toll on AC compressor, alternator, wiring connectors may become brittle etc. Just something to think about when comparing the minimal gains (especially when keeping stock cats) vs the stock ex manifold.
@Matt Brad Sounds like GM made the f body and Corvette parts pretty heat resistant. Interestingly enough, I have an '08 Tahoe that came from the California deserts and all of the wiring loom covering is disintegrating. Not exactly sure why, but I think it has to do with the heat of where it came from. And that's got a giant engine bay with cast iron manifolds.
Yeah, I'd rather replace the wiring loom, then I have the whole damn thing rusted out like our Minnesota cars are after 10 years...
Your very smart I like your videos boss I used to own a 02 c5 full bolt on and ima buy another one soon because I miss it a lot, I don’t think I’ll do headers because I did get a lot of heat, I may just do cat deletes with stock manifolds
Good conditon cats dont cost too much HP untill you get well north of 400 whp. IMO.
The later style C5 manifolds look really well designed. They almost look like a shorty header. I don't know why GM stopped with that design and went to the log style manifolds. I wonder if I would get a benefit swapping out my Log style manifolds to C5 style manifolds. I'm with you on underhood temperatures... one reason I've not gotten headers! That'll kill your performance too as it can increase you intake air temps even if you have a cold air intake.
Are you talking about the difference between the late C5 Ex manifolds vs the LS2 C6 Ex manifolds? I agree - but gm did it to get the cats up closer to the head so they heat up faster. It works very well they were able to totally ditch the air injection system - which is ugly, makes changing plugs harder and as these cars get older - starts to malfunction setting codes. I am with you and can't help but think the C5 ex mani's are more efficient !!
@@Toys4Lifewow thanks for all the details!
Very interesting. Mine is a daily driver, but I would love to put some Speed Engineering headers on it; but I don’t want to burn up wires, etc in the process
There's that.
I need to drop my vet off at your house you know exactly what you talking about!!!
I have a 2002 C5 and I installed a set of long tubes on it. The total cost for the all new exhaust was $3,000.00 I sent them off to "Jet Hot" and had them ceramic coated inside and out, and now I have o2 sensors setting off the engine lite. So now I have to spend another $500.00 to get it tuned. And the headers cause it to run VERY RICH! They also make it VERY hard to start. I have to turn the key to the on position and then wait for the pump to stop ticking.Then back off and then it will start. If I knew this would be so costly and such a PITA I NEVER WOULD HAVE INSTALLED THEM! The long tubes force you to relocate the Upstream o2 senses further down stream so the computer gets an inaccurate reading because the sensors do NOT get hot enough. And YES I am running 4 Cats. I have not driven the car in a year. I also want to instal a nice lumpy cam but if I do I will have to spend another $400.00 on a second tune. So I figured I would wait until I installed the cam to only spend the $500.00. I need to find whatever the biggest cam I can run without having to replace the torque converter. I do have the "G90" rear gear option.
It adds up that is for sure! Rich issue sounds like an exhaust leak upstream of the o2 sensor. Fools the PCM into thinking it is lean and so it gives it more fuel (in error).
@@Toys4Life I have no exhaust leak.
Good video… I have an 03 Z06, 62xxxmi, stock to my knowledge.
Looking into and X pipe, and removing cats. No emissions/smog tests here.
Pros/cons?
I have kooks headers and a full Corsa exhaust which I love but without a heat shield my kooks headers have cooked my starter solenoid, (no pun intended) I'm on my second starter in less than 6 months. just a heads up for any new Vette owners or if you're thinking about headers don't make the same costly mistake. . . invest in a heat shield or wrap, save your starter.
Thanks for sharing this valuable advice!
Long tube 4 to 1, can't go wrong.
Yep, if you are going to go headers, skip the shorties and go long tube!
The clip of the bridge, where is that? Looks familiar.
Twin Cities Metro - long ways from Kentucky!
Another advantage of shorties over factory is the weight savings.
That is an advantage that you can measure. What's the other advantage you're speaking of?
What is the latest fix for a P0153 code from lt headers
When Lt headers are installed, it's very common to get slow response codes (P0133 & P0153). Another pain point for LT headers. Header wrap may help - keep the heat inside and activate the O2 sensors quicker. Move the bung closer to the engine? Different brand O2 sensor. Just some ideas.
Thanks for the tips but I think iam gonna keep the stock headers and go higher flow cat and exhaust but not go loud so i can enjoy the car without headaches
No problem 👍
Excellent video! I've heard the shorty headers gain an average of 8-10 RWHP and better sound. Not much in the way of power gains, but they are lighter weight, and they sound better than stock... Combined with the 8-10 RWHP gains, I think they are a good buy. I still prefer long tube headers, but I do like the shorty headers as well. I gave your video a like, and I'm already subscribed. Keep up the good work 👍
-Chris
I was looking at some shorties, I'm curious if they pick up a couple horsepower without throwing off a bunch of heat. If it's 5 to 10 n/a, I wonder if it would be more up in the 600 area.
I’ve always thought that headers were a big pain to install, poor fit, leaking issues, always in the way. I never saw a “naked” C5 manifold, very efficient looking. Questions: Is the C5 Z06 manifold any different than base model? I was shocked to see how heavy the stock H pipe is. How much weight could be saved with an aftermarket X pipe?
The stock mid pipe in many cases includes four cats and the area between the cats near the front is double walled in some parts I do believe. So yes it's heavy and those are OEM cats which are higher quality than your typical $100 aftermarket chats.
So it sounds like the short answer is this. If you need the 20HP, install the headers.
I LOVE the way the LS engine sounds with headers (on other cars), but for me, It's not worth the ground clearance issues on an already low sitting car. I wish there was another way to get the tone that comes with headers. I'm thinking an X-Pipe just won't get me there with stock manifolds.
I've heard the speed engineering headers have much better ground clearance than the Texas speed ones.
That tee shirt will get you more "gain" than any long or short tube headers!
I'm not sure I get it, but yeah!
What long tube headers and cam was on that vette thy was at 4:45?! That is what I’m trying to have mine sound like!
I don't now for sure on that one. BUT, Mrblack 947 will tell you his ingredients and his sounds aweome too. ua-cam.com/video/jemuZyTgYkE/v-deo.html
Redoing my interior now .. my c5 was my daily for 5 years now I’m making great again.. it’s about 2000
Nice - It is worth freshening up cause it is a timeless design with soooo much potential!
I’m glad I found your channel. I live in southern Indiana. You are doing what I want too for my c5 03 it’s spiral grey . I’m going with all black interior..
Thanks for the comments - much appreciated! When I was looking for my C5 my has to have list was either Black or Spiral Grey. Sharp!
I’m just glad you are putting content out there for us .. the corvette community is split some like too keep it all stock .. I’m on the other side of the fence. What am I saving her for the next guy for .. Enjoy the car make mods after doing research
I just got a C5 to daily. Came from a civic hatchback sport and I have zero regrets. So enjoyable to drive
Thanks for the video. Have been considering headers but your video changed my mind. I already have a corsa x pipe and cat back exhaust. It works and sounds great and I don't think I really need to introduce a bunch of heat under the hood.
Glad I could help
The reason I went shorty on mine was due to emissions. I wanted long tube but my state would fail me. The shorty are way lighter than the stock ones BTW.
Good point on the weight!
It's crazy that just routing the exhaust tubes differently would either pass or fail a car. How could there be that much difference in flow?
I feel like headers are worth it on some n/a engines with very crappy and restrictive manifold designs (like most 4 cylinders, V6s, etc) but for the LS and the way the whole engine bay is a heat sink...totally not worth the price for the meager gains. Also, I've had cars with no cats before, and have driven behind cat less cars on back roads, it sucks breathing all that crap in. These are just conclusions I've come to for a sports car that I want to daily drive. Obviously, I would do all this stuff if it was going to be a track-only toy. :D
Same here.
How effective are ceramic coatings or header heat wraps for minimizing heat with long tube headers?
Best I can tell, ceramic helps a little - but most do it for the looks. Wrap helps a lot, but there is lots of complaints about wrap destroying headers over a couple of years.
@@Toys4Life Oh! Man, I did NOT know that! So…if one goes with long tubes, what are any ideas for reducing under hood heat or maybe that and CONTROLLING it? Could add’l intercooling help? What would increasing the diameter of the headers AND everything else from there back, say from 2 & 3/4” to 3”, do? Just want to keep from frying my engine compartment and increasing heat in my Vette.
What's your horsepower level at?
So do you have long tube headers? Since you have a supercharger, how did that influence your decision?
I am still using stock exhaust manifolds. They're pretty efficient compared to old school manifolds, and honestly at 585 RWhorsepower I believe I'm right at the edge where I'm asking the stock LS1 long block to make for horsepower. Especially the Pistons. I'm also not a fan of excessive underhood heat and I believe haters do contribute to it.
Good video thanks
Glad you enjoyed it
Loving the fiero
It is funny, People either tend to love or hate Fieros. Curious - did you have one or why do you like them?
Thought that was a Fiero. Looks like the rear engine, Jack Rabbit Special on the Hot Wheel cartoon when I was a kid.
Ok been a Corvette owner for a year. I've found there are three kinds of Vette owner. 20-30 hp is nothing to turn your nose up at or seem unimpressed by. That's a great hp gain for the buck. If standard manifolds were so efficient they wouldn't be restricting a dixie chopper Worth of power. 1 type elitist if it was built that way then the engineers at GM did it for a reason. Ask your gm certified mechanic what you can do.
2. Vette lover. Is excited to finally own his dream car mentions wanting to modify something or not using gm for maintenance and gets pummeled and shamed into a mute by elitists.
3. Gear head. It's just a car and feels taking your car to a mechanic is unheard of might as well turn over your man card go get a pedicure and buy some of those corvette pucks type one keeps telling about. And thats a turbo manifold that's glowing red
25 horsepower is a good horsepower again for $1,000. I would question if it's a good gain for the price of a set of kooks long tubes, a Corsa cat-back and a tune for 4,000 bucks...
I wanted to add headers just because I want it louder. I know it's a lot of money just for noise so I haven't done it....yet.
They're definitely worth 20 horsepower plus. Unlike cat-back exhaust, which are pretty much zero. But they do add some under hood heat!!
if i got long tubes for my c5, what’s the estimate price of shop labor for installing them?
Highly dependent on how busy the shops are in your area and how good they are.
Would the gains be the same when being boosted or is it more?
I think the more horsepower you have, weather naturally aspirated or boosted, headers will perform better.
Dont you have to tune after installing to get the full benefits?
Absolutely, even more so if you delete the cats which I do not recommend for multiple reasons.
i'll spend that money elsewhere,notice the turbo kept coming up? i prefer supercharger,but for 20hp i have other places to find that
I am with you!
How do you keep the factory cats when switching to long tube headers on a C5??? The short answer is you don't. Anything from the cats (or where they were) back is only for sound.... Factory exhaust flows just fine, unless you want to throw money away. BTW this only tells part of the story, foot pounds of torque is a better measurement. ;) Anyway...20-30 hp @ the rear wheels for a couple hundred bucks is worth it; I have personally ran cheap-o ebay headers without issue on more than one C5s I have owned. The secret is to ALWAYS go with 304 stainless, 409 will rust and are just garbage ALSO wrap/ceramic coat your headers. You are welcome. ;)
The factory main cats (not the pup cats) are quite good. They could be welded into your new mid-pipe with basic welding/cutting skills- or most buy the mid-pipe without cats or with new cats as a unit. Probably because at $120 /hr shop labor it is is not worth swapping over. Makes sense to me for the guy that does his own work. Ben (C6 Z06 car on my channel) has kooks MP with kooks cats. we just tested his backpressure 2 weeks ago and he has an amazing 1.5 psi of backpressure before the cats. My C5 has 10 psi. Even with ceramic coated kooks in Bens C6 - his underhood temps (and even the interior of his car) get quite a bit hotter than my stock manifold C5. Hot enough in fact, that he is glad he has the stock ex manifolds as some day he may switch back. What header are you saying for a couple hundred bucks it worth it? At the end of the day - to each their own. For some, the sound may just be worth it all by itself....
Yea chopping hard 💯👊🏾🇺🇸😊✌️
I wonder if the chop ever gets old?? Part of me wants to add a big cam and find out!
Should have mentioned the weight savings by switching to longtubes,
Valid point. What do you think, 30# savings?
Thanks bud
No problem 👍
New subscriber pretty cool video
Thanks for the comment and thanks for subscribing, much appreciated!
Just got quoted for Kooks LT's with a catted X pipe installed with a tune....$3,200 I don't see the $ to HP ratio being a good match.
Daaaaaang!
@@Toys4Life That's what I said when I saw the Email lol
Tsp headers here in Texas, $800.00 including x pipe and all hardware. Do yourself. Easy.
Ways ceramic coat your long tubes
Indeed.
What about tuning? Can you run long tubes and x pipe on factory ecu or is a tune mandatory to get these gains?
With long tubes you need to tune to take advantage of the new and improved exhaust flow.
Never seen corvette headers getting that hot under normal conditions. Yet you showed a turbo 4 cylinder as a comparison that was likely 2 stepping its ass off.
Sorry. Just trying to illustrate all of that thin wall surface area of individual tubes radiating the heat into the engine bay. vs of course, the thick cast iron low surface area manifolds giving off significantly less heat and more out the rear exhaust.
@@Toys4Life yea but to get to that point you would have to be hooning like a mfing fool lol. Or running lean as all hell
Great video! I have been on the fence about putting long tubes on my 03. Your video helped me decide not to go with them. I am still trying to decide about installing a x pipe. I will be putting Corsa cat backs on for sure. The car is stock.
Why? The sound improvememt is ridiculous
Great to hear!
Get headers, heat is not an issue at all. Of everyone I know who has modified LS powered cars (some making 900+ horsepower) not a single one has had any sort of issues related to heat as a result of having headers.
A good set of headers and an X-pipe will sound better on a stock cat-back than a Corsa cat back will sound with stock manifolds and cats.
I agree, for 20 hp, not worth it. But if you will have other mods then the benefits will compound.
@@henrycruz45cal Agreed but, I chose that other high HP motor dyno test of headers vs cast manifolds to because I was shocked at how good the cast mani's did even on a high HP setup. Something to think about anyway.
Here is a link to my C5 with long tubes and Billy Boat bullets and Billy Boat route 66 mufflers. Yes I bought both to see which mufflers I liked better and then I went with a combination of the two. ua-cam.com/video/RRbKJLfn_Jc/v-deo.html
Interesting, you did it for science!
Unless you are looking for a specific sound this guy is correct.It just seems to me if you want speed the most bang for your $ would be getting rid of that highway gear .I can tell you before I would spend 3G for an exhaust my money would be going into a 373 rear gear for the same money.Then when your at the light with your stock exhaust and car beside you with the loud ass pipes leave on green.He will be scratching his head on why all he seen was your license plate that says "allstoc"
Yep, headers provide a gain, but not nearly as much as many people think. I am not sure about a 3.73 gear though if your plans call for forced induction down the road. If staying NA then I can dig it!
You just saved me a bunch of money, thank you but I am not giving you anything but a like!🤣
Mines were 300$ in some change ebay
That is cheap - what kind and are they any good- do you still like them?
Is that a Fiero?!?! Yo! Show us!
why yes - that is a fiero - but no ordinary fiero - I call it the never ending project. Like to drag racing domination below!ua-cam.com/video/NacB47T21OA/v-deo.html
Great vid. As a daily driver I see no reason to get headers.
A lot of cars are weak and do need mods to have some performance. C5Z started pretty damn good right out of the box so although it's not necessary to mod, where's the fun in that?
You got nothing better to do.... I wonder if it was an attempt to tune the exhaust note by GM? Why don’t you pull it apart again and weld it up solid so we can hear that too🤔, you have all winter 🤓
Weird - I think you intended to comment on the H-Pipe video but it showed up as a Header Video Comment - Strange..... C5 H Pipe small holes intentional by GM? --->Make it louder - maybe. Make it sound goofy- probably. ----> make it last 100k w/o cracking - probably.
If you install some kooks headers on a c5 coupe you will double its value.
Um.. I am not buying that...
imo not worth the hassle.Unless you have an all out drag racing car, and you are cutting every corner to gain a couple of hp here and there,forget it! Then for the all out drag racer I would strip the interior,strip,out the trunk junk,etc.etc. No thanks I don't want a 3rd car! I have a life!
I would say it's more of a sound modification than horsepower. But you're right just depends on what you want out of the car and what you're willing to do for a few horsepower or a different sound.
You know it would have been nice if you used a laser heat sensor just to verify the difference in temperature rather than just making a statement. I don't think this was scientific enough or fact filled enough.
The point was more so the large pattern surface area with all of the long individual thin steel tubes radiating the heat versus the shorter thicker cast iron manifolds. Not necessarily the surface temperature.