Best Headers For 06 5.3l?

[k24gracie3]

Hey guys i wanna put a full exhaust system on my truck and was wondering if anyone had any reccomondations on headers. I was thinking headman but they're pricey and i've never seen them on a truck in person. Does anyone have any sugestions or any performance gain numbers? Thanks.

[chakis24]

dynomax(?) used to make a full exhaust kit that included headers, cats, & mufflers. it was bolt on from the engine back- not CA emissions compliant though i believe. no experience with it, but looked real nice. not sure if they still make it either.

[Sly]

Hey guys i wanna put a full exhaust system on my truck and was wondering if anyone had any reccomondations on headers. I was thinking headman but they're pricey and i've never seen them on a truck in person. Does anyone have any sugestions or any performance gain numbers? Thanks.

 

Most of the posts I have read say go with long tubes or don't bother. ARH and Dynatechs are popular for the long tubes. They are expensive though.

[nickvrebel]

what head work and cam do you plan to install? if you aren't going to port/ polish head and go with a bigger cam there is no purpose in dumping the stock manifolds, they can flow all the air that the stock motor can pump.

[Sheep]

If he wants to extract every bit of power from it with usual bolt-ons along with a tune by a reputable tuner, then lt's and catback are necessary... and you can clearly get a significant gain. But agree that unless you're willing to dump considerable $$ for something you're not so interesting in doing, just keep the stock manifolds, add a freer flowing muffler (for sound enhancement) AND get a tune to modify shifts and remove TM. Actually changing the way the tranny operates is every bit as important, maybe more, than a "general" engine tune. Changing diff ratios makes a big difference in performance (say from 3.42 to 4.10), but if you have a 4wd, then the expense rises considerably but the 4.10's (if you have larger tires) makes a heavy 4wd/extd cab truck move a lot better and without much loss if fuel economy if you have the 5.3L.

 

Whatever you do, do with some serious research instead of just throwing $$ away for little gain. The cost of horsepower these days is far steeper than it was than in the 60's when I was running a C/SS car.

 

With the new lighter '11 GMC rcsb 2wd 5.3L and 6L80, some plans are in progress over next 6 months... no engine swap, but most of what will be installed can be used in possible larger motor build later.

[DwayneJ]

I think it important to understand the HP wars between the OEMs is TODAY more than it was 40 years ago. OEMs are leaving a lot less room for simple improvements.

 

That said it is still possible to get a HUGE amount more power out of todays engines, just have to go into them to unleash it. Which is why NickV brought up porting and cam swaps.

[GMstrong]

I agree with the post above if your not going to rip open the engine then dont bother i dont youll get anything from it without head work and cam.But if your looking at header look at JBA long tubes.For stock they have a very nice design too them.