[JohnnyMac]

Hey everyone, new to the site as well as to my vehicle so forgive me lol. I love my car the way it is for the most part (stock) but I was curious if installing headers would decrease the reliability of my vehicle as well as make it too loud. I am fine having a loud car but nothing that is extremely obnoxious. I have the npp exhaust so I was thinking about leaving the stock exhaust on and just installing headers. My goal is to install headers without making my vehicle less reliable as it is currently my daily and I need it to last. I am aware headers can make the car quite loud but I was also wondering if the npp would help with that? Another concern of mine is tuning my engine because i'm aware that a tune is needed (highly recommended) but am concerned that this would also jeopardize the reliability. Any input is appreciated thx everyone!

[2SS Capt]

From what I understand, the stock LT1 exhaust manifolds are quite efficient, not sure you would gain much just doing headers... If you want to change the sound, an aftermarket exhaust system (with NPP) might be money better spent than headers...

[CamaroDreams76]

Talk to RPM, LMP or CSP since your in Jersey. Headers will be totally fine and installed correctly (protecting the wiring harness) it doesn't decrease reliability. I would do an intake and intake manifold (LT2) just to maximize everything and leave it at that.

Mods done right doesnt hurt the reliability if properly installed and maintained. My car isnt a DD anymore but I know that it absolutely can be.

[bishopts]

I would leave it alone.
There have been a few cases of people on here going to headers and then melting their wire harness. Maybe just tune and high flow cats or cat delete if you're looking for the sound to change some. Just tune it beforehand if you do, you need to remove the codes related to cat inefficiency before they set , otherwise you will always have permanent codes for it in the code history.
But again. I would just leave it alone.

[Joshinator99]

Headers make the car quite a bit louder FYI. The factory headers are very good and on a mostly stock car there is little to be gained from aftermarket headers.

[Martinjlm]

Benefit or lack thereof will differ for just about everybody depending on what all is done and who does the work. To reply to the question on reliability, I've had Kooks headers on my car for going on 6 years now and have had zero problems.

I had one of our club sponsors, Vector Performance, install Kooks headers, a Tony Mamo ported throttle body, and FlexFuel sensor all at one time and tune the whole thing. Exhaust from the headers back stayed stock.

My whp went from 385-ish to 430. No drivability concerns. a bit louder, especially cold starts in the garage. Once it set off the alarm on one of my other cars but still pretty civilized. Nowhere near being the loudest car in our club.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyMac

My goal is to install headers without making my vehicle less reliable as it is currently my daily and I need it to last.

What you will need is an absolute guarantee that the headers are installed correctly and your wiring is protected.
Not sure anyone will offer you that 100% guarantee.
Sounds like you depend on this car.
The melting wire problem can take weeks/months to show up, but it is a big problem when it does.

[KingLT1]

Biggest restriction on the stock exhaust is the primary cat pipes. If you can still source a set of primary cat delete pipes for a reasonable price, it's not a bad way to go. I am still running a set of CA delete pipes with stock headers on my Whipple SS. Honestly primary cat delete pipes with secondary in place sounds excellent with the stock NPP... and the exhaust smell increase is minimal.

[DeuceCam]

With your concerns, I would consider leaving it stock. The OEM config is pretty darn good. That said:

I've seen posts/vids indicating people thought the car was too loud after LTH. Others don't mind it. Try and find a local with similar mods to gauge sound in person.

There's an argument that can be made about the car being less reliable after LTH and/or tune - The reliability is mostly based on the installer/tuner, and other necessary precautions such as protecting infrastructure from the added heat caused by LTH.

[DaveC113]

I'm also on the fence. If you melt the harness it can be a 5-figure repair. The stock headers are good and likely better than 4>1 headers below 4500 rpm or so. I am also not a fan of defeating emissions equipment, and there's no way headers + removing the primary cats is legal.

Then there's a LT2 intake, larger TB and intake plus a tune. Do all of this for thousands of dollars and some real risks to reliability and you'll get maybe 40 hp. I've ran side by side on track with a car with these mods and being a regular SS with race seats it was about 200 lbs lighter too. On the back straight at HPR going from 75 to about 130-135 mph this gets you 1-2 car lengths. Add back that 200 lbs and it's even less.

Modern engines are much more efficient than they used to be and you won't gain power without some trade offs.

[JohnnyMac]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

Talk to RPM, LMP or CSP since your in Jersey. Headers will be totally fine and installed correctly (protecting the wiring harness) it doesn't decrease reliability. I would do an intake and intake manifold (LT2) just to maximize everything and leave it at that.

Mods done right doesnt hurt the reliability if properly installed and maintained. My car isnt a DD anymore but I know that it absolutely can be.

Thats great to hear will def be reaching out to them as I have been for looking for good shops near me. I'll look into the intake and intake manifold as well. Thanks!

[JohnnyMac]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

I'm also on the fence. If you melt the harness it can be a 5-figure repair. The stock headers are good and likely better than 4>1 headers below 4500 rpm or so. I am also not a fan of defeating emissions equipment, and there's no way headers + removing the primary cats is legal.

Then there's a LT2 intake, larger TB and intake plus a tune. Do all of this for thousands of dollars and some real risks to reliability and you'll get maybe 40 hp. I've ran side by side on track with a car with these mods and being a regular SS with race seats it was about 200 lbs lighter too. On the back straight at HPR going from 75 to about 130-135 mph this gets you 1-2 car lengths. Add back that 200 lbs and it's even less.

Modern engines are much more efficient than they used to be and you won't gain power without some trade offs.

Thanks for the advice! For me personally since I'm not taking it to the strip or track for the money it isn't worth it to me. Seems like I'm on a very similar page to you. Was just looking to make the car a bit louder and give it that note that headers do but it might just not be worth it for me.

[JohnnyMac]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

With your concerns, I would consider leaving it stock. The OEM config is pretty darn good. That said:

I've seen posts/vids indicating people thought the car was too loud after LTH. Others don't mind it. Try and find a local with similar mods to gauge sound in person.

There's an argument that can be made about the car being less reliable after LTH and/or tune - The reliability is mostly based on the installer/tuner, and other necessary precautions such as protecting infrastructure from the added heat caused by LTH.

I may have to research some shops as well as hear some more lt1s / ss with headers before I come to my decision. Like you said the oem config is really good and I couldn't be happier with the car which I why I'm debating not even touching mods. Looks like I have to weigh out pros and cons.
Thanks for the help!

[JohnnyMac]

Originally Posted by KingLT1

Biggest restriction on the stock exhaust is the primary cat pipes. If you can still source a set of primary cat delete pipes for a reasonable price, it's not a bad way to go. I am still running a set of CA delete pipes with stock headers on my Whipple SS. Honestly primary cat delete pipes with secondary in place sounds excellent with the stock NPP... and the exhaust smell increase is minimal.

I would definitely consider this option since I can still keep the stock npp. Looks like I got some research to do! Thanks for the help!