Are Headders Really Worth It?

[cliobogger]

so, are headders really worth the 500 bucks? just currios.

[WilliamBos]

so, are headders really worth the 500 bucks? just currios.

NO!! after having 1 set on another truck, I would NEVER do it again!! Not worth the hassle of all the heat issues in my opinion!! Keep the manifolds.

[bossier62guy]

so, are headders really worth the 500 bucks? just currios.

NO!! after having 1 set on another truck, I would NEVER do it again!! Not worth the hassle of all the heat issues in my opinion!! Keep the manifolds.

 

 

+1

[cliobogger]

thanks a bunch!

[Darkanion]

NO!! after having 1 set on another truck, I would NEVER do it again!! Not worth the hassle of all the heat issues in my opinion!! Keep the manifolds.

I had a guy at a muffler shop 'suggest' that I not put headers on my truck for the same reason. I'll be curious to see what others have to say on this...

[ShoddyHog]

so, are headders really worth the 500 bucks? just currios.

NO!! after having 1 set on another truck, I would NEVER do it again!! Not worth the hassle of all the heat issues in my opinion!! Keep the manifolds.

 

 

What kind of heat issues? I've had headers on my car for 80,000 miles without heat issues, and there's a hell of a lot more room under the hood of my truck (for airflow).

[SeirraRR]

I was thinking about putting some on and am wondering the same thing?

[Pete94Silverado]

I would hazard a guess that the heat issues they are referring to are from non-ceramic coated headers. I have Hooker Super Comps on my 99 Camaro SS and Pacesetter long tubes on my 04 Silverado. Both are of course...ceramic coated. On both, I noticed a slight dip in under hood temps and a HUGE difference in cool down time. It seems like the headers cool down in a fraction of the time of the old manifolds.

 

As far as a bang for the buck mod...I think you'd have trouble finding one that is better. For two reasons, improved fuel economy and increase in power...an overall improvement in engine efficiency. Put it this way, on my Camaro, with just the long tubes and a different air lid, it put down 387 hp 397 tq at the crank. Since I did not have it dyno'd when I got it, I can only assume it had the factory rating of 320 hp. So, assuming this, I picked up 60+ hp from just those mods and we all know that a lid wouldn't be responsible for that much of the increase. Of course, I could have a factory freak that cam with more than 320 but...I'll never know. Increases of 30-50 hp are common with the LS1. I would figure that it's gotta be the same for the 5.3L. Oh...and I've had them on my SS for about 6 years and 30k miles. The ones on my truck have been installed since May and I have about 3k on them.

 

Now, you will spend a little more to get it tuned simply because you'll realize even more out of it once you get it tuned.

 

Just my $.02.

 

-Pete

04Silverado

[Darkanion]

Thanks for the input, Pete!

[C. Charles Hahn]

so, are headders really worth the 500 bucks? just currios.

NO!! after having 1 set on another truck, I would NEVER do it again!! Not worth the hassle of all the heat issues in my opinion!! Keep the manifolds.

 

 

What kind of heat issues? I've had headers on my car for 80,000 miles without heat issues, and there's a hell of a lot more room under the hood of my truck (for airflow).

 

 

Are yours wrapped or Jet-Hot coated? That can make a big difference from what I understand.

 

However, I have to wonder in the truck application in particular if there aren't perhaps better bang-for-the-buck mods for performance that make headers a lower priority... that would be the main deterrent for me.

[Darkanion]

so, are headders really worth the 500 bucks? just currios.

 

One thing that hasn't been asked... Are you looking at a specific set? If so, what are they? Shorties, mids, long-tubes.. Do you have a brand and part # for 'em? You might be able to get some specific input on the ones you're looking at.

[cliobogger]

i was wondering what else i could spend my money on then. cause i have a lil cash to play with, and i already have a k&n...so yeah, just wonderin. and im in line for the BB cable tune. and new 4.88s are comin next week.

[cliobogger]

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/JBA-1850S-3/ was the ones i was lookin at.

[Jennabear]

I am happy with the headers we have on the Tahoe and the SSS. I would strongly suggest againstly shorties and go with LTs if you are going to put down the $$$. Also, you get what you pay for as always...

 

I would also suggest getting a cam to really get the full benefit of headers.

[cliobogger]

i dont know if i have the money to put into getting a cam installed. i dont have the means to do it myself (not that i cant), all my tools are in michigan. i coudl get headders OR a cam, but not both. so again, which one would be better? and should i get new rockers if i get a cam? so many choices, so little money!