Which Long Tube HEADERS for the 6.2 and why?

[Darksky]

Which Headers do you recommend for a truck equipped with the 6.2 liter L86 engine? 

 1.Which ones do you have?

 2. Why do you endorse them?

-Cost

-Quality

-Ease of installation

 -Size (1 3/4 Vs. 1 7/8)

-Performance

-Sound (tone quality, volume, drone)

-Longevity

-Value (cost, complications and effort Vs. added performance and enjoyment

-Downsides

3. Associated exhaust parts

4. Any other special considerations 

 

i have a 2015 High Country 4WD 1500 CCSB with the 6.2.  I have decided to possibly “tune it up”. If it is financially feasible and will add to the daily driving enjoyment of this truck. It is not a “pig” by any means, but it lags a bit, especially with the larger/heavier tires and their effect on gearing. I think it would be greatly improved by being “woken up” through a few steps. 

 

I am considering:

Banks CAI

Ported/Polished stock throttle body

BlackBear Tuning

194* GM Thermostat and slightly more aggressive fan profile in tuning.

LongTube Headers with Cats

Dual Exhaust

Mufflers and Resonators 

    - I have had good luck with and like AERO Turbine mufflers out of Utah. I was considering  two of his AT3030 mufflers and two of the AR30 resonators, somewhere over the axles, with L/R tips behind the rear wheels.

 

In looking at my plans, I think that the exhaust without mods would be a bottleneck. I currently have removed the factory muffler and flapper and put back an Aero turbine 3030XL or maybe 3535XL muffler. (I don’t remember)

 

What at do you think of my plan? What is good or bad?  Help me decide what to do.  Headers and a full exhaust change can become quite expensive, if the gains aren’t that significant, maybe this part of “the plan” can be changed. If you feel that headers are not needed, please share.

 

Please try to be clear, concise and factual in regards to your Header choices.  Let’s not get too derailed discussing just mufflers. Hopefully this thread can help many others with this particular decision.  I searched the exhaust thread, but it is daunting to find this particular information. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience. The members here make this forum the best of its kind for our trucks.

-Darksky

 

Edited November 5, 2018 by Darksky
Typing errors

[Centex14]

I'd start with the tune before going with headers.  Headers are $800+ not counting installation.  Skip the throttle body entirely.

[Darksky]

I definitely understand the tune first idea. I believe that their “lifetime update” policy would allow for a remap after headers are installed. 

 

Your recommendation to forego the throttle body I am not sure about. What the  ported/polished throttle body consists of is: a stock throttle body that has been disassembled and has had the “throat” smoothed out and slightly expanded by a CNC machine, they then polish the “throat” and reassemble it. It is not jetted any larger or changed out for a bigger one. Some of the companies that do this also polish the “butterfly” (for lack of a better word) and even the rail it sits upon.

they are claiming enhanced flow across it because of the process. They also say as much as nine horsepower from just this one thing. The tune will also account for this and make the most of it.

 

why is it a bad idea? 

Im not trying to defend my choice, I’m truly interested as to why it is not desirable. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Centex14]

The stock throttle body flows more than enough for any naturally aspirated engine no matter what the modifications. Only time you’ll see an increase in performance is once you go forced induction. Or if you go substantially higher in cubic inches. 9hp isn’t going to help in any noticeable way. Save the money and put it towards something more useful. I’ve seen dyno runs vary by 9hp between pulls.

 

 

2014 z71 LTZ

Volant Intake

Borla Exhaust

Diablo

Bilstein 5100

Rough Country Level

 

[Darksky]

The stock configuration of the throttle body flows well enough for all but forced induction. - I don’t have a response for that. If that is the case, then you’re 100% correct. As far as the nine horse, that was a reference where a vendor did a pull then swapped the TB and did another - seeing the increase. But... they are selling their service. So I don’t doubt your position. The cost for the porting is $150 by the guy in Tampa. I believe Weapon X is about $250 but I think he does more than just port and polish.

Does anyone have a ported TB on a non forced induction 6.2L engine?

i well call BlackBear and talk to them about the differences to the tune with some of these mods.

 

I'm surprised that in 24 hours, not one person has chimed in with “my headers are this and they rule or suck”. 

 

 

 

[Centex14]

Be weary of vendor claims. Research the forums (not just this one) on ported throttle bodies for these trucks.

Texas speed is a popular choice for headers and they’ve got a decent price point compared to kooks or American racing. And they are made in the USA. They are the ones I’m planning on getting because they are in my town.

Really, 6 in one half a dozen another. They are all going to make about the same power and do the same thing. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who has swapped between headers so everyone will say theirs are the best or they are happy with them.


2014 z71 LTZ
Volant Intake
Borla Exhaust
Diablo
Bilstein 5100
Rough Country Level

[Black02Silverado]

I can’t help. But when I had my Camaro, Kooks headers were popular as well as polishing the TB.

Maybe contact the various header manufacturers and get there take.

I’m surprised of the little response you are getting. I. Would have thought more would have chimed in.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Lgetz]

Darksky your High Country should really get with the mods you have in mind.  Headers to consider ARH, Kooks, or Stainless Works.  All are high quality fit, finish and materials but pricey.   Local guys run these on their cammed Silverado/Sierras, modded Camaros and Vettes with no iseues.  Far as exhaust I would just replace the flapper valve and stock muffler with a Magnaflow 12909 or similar.  Can't remember the forum member who had a Corsa Sport exhaust with headers and it was stupid LOUD.  Ended up going with the 12909 and it tamed the sound.  Good luck with your mods.

[M1ck3y]

Don't get any of it. Those parts all add up to more power. But if you add up the cost of the parts, install and tuning.... Put it towards a supercharger fund. You'll get maybe 80 horse at the crank with full bolt ons. You'll get a 50% power increase with a supercharger.

Edited November 7, 2018 by M1ck3y

[Centex14]

He’s not wrong. But $3-4000 after install versus $6-7000 before install is a large swing.


2014 z71 LTZ
Volant Intake
Borla Exhaust
Diablo
Bilstein 5100
Rough Country Level

[Mileguru]

5 hours ago, M1ck3y said:

Don't get any of it. Those parts all add up to more power. But if you add up the cost of the parts, install and tuning.... Put it towards a supercharger fund. You'll get maybe 80 horse at the crank with full bolt ons. You'll get a 50% power increase with a supercharger.

 

5 hours ago, Centex14 said:

He’s not wrong. But $3-4000 after install versus $6-7000 before install is a large swing.


2014 z71 LTZ
Volant Intake
Borla Exhaust
Diablo
Bilstein 5100
Rough Country Level

Agree and agree. Although I did get my Magnuson TVS1900 from Black Bear for only $5125 (and that includes the Magnuson tune, so subtract $200 if you don't want that). I then paid $800 for the install. Way better than spending the money on headers, polish TB, tune, etc.in my opinion. Still room to grow if I want to, as well.

[Darksky]

A supercharger is twice plus the cost of all the mods I’ve listed. And with the SC, you need the tune and most likely the headers/exhaust. It’s out of reach for now. I can shade tree everything I’ve described, as well. Except the tube bending for a custom exhaust.

Everything on my list would fit right under a supercharger, if I get that bug. I think that the mods I’ve listed might be the elusive “enough” for this application. 

 

I, too am surprised at the lack of participation from headers owners. Maybe there are less people with headers than we have imagined.

[KARNUT]

A supercharger can be done by a shade tree mechanic, and a stand alone mod.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Centex14]

This site isn’t as dedicated to performance as others. Most folks on here are concerned with leveling kits, ride quality, and towing. Few folks have some wild rides on here but not many.


2014 z71 LTZ
Volant Intake
Borla Exhaust
Diablo
Bilstein 5100
Rough Country Level

[qwank]

Pretty much everything he listed he can use with a Supercharger later