[SATINSTEEL1LE]

Originally Posted by SOCAL.M6.ZLE

Headers + CAI + E85 + Tune

This is you install the headers yourself. Otherwise that combo is going to be more like $5k+ because the headers themselves are $2500.

[SHE'Z 18]

Originally Posted by FlukeSS

I wasn't going to say it, but, this is true, you don't need to blow $2000 on headers to get the same performance gains as Speed Engineering for almost 1/4th the cost.

I have 2" Speed Engineering Headers on my car now. I know the "premium" name brands are just that premium, but in side by side testing there is very little difference between one header vs another. 2" > 1 7/8ths" in terms of you get more bang.

But in general 2" headers are if you plan to boost later more so for higher boost settings.

I spent $3500 on my upgrades: LT Headers (cat delete), CAI, X-Pipe and E85 flex fuel installed and dyno tuned out the door.

Hey Fluke,
Where in MI did you get your tune done? Thanks.

[jamala00]

Best way to spend $3-4k..? How about a tank of premium gas... LOL.. just kidding. If you are having a hard time with deciding, you can send it to me and I'll spend it for you.

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by SHE'Z 18

Hey Fluke,
Where in MI did you get your tune done? Thanks.

Strictly Performance in Kalamazoo, MI

My Tuner was actually Phoenix Performance Calibration they work with Strictly Performance. I guess my tuner has a PHD in physics and a former lead calibrator for Weapon-X which I thought was impressive so was happy with the tune.

Strictly Performance was the only place I could find to do install work. Every other place I called refused to do the work unless you bought from them. (Including Vector Motorsports in Brighton, MI) But, you might be able to find a tuner at Vector Motorsports if you didn't want to drive out to Kalamazoo.

[TexasRed5.9]

Whatever you purchase and have installed, make sure it's chrome! I know from my small block Chevy days that there's at least a 20% difference in speed parts between painted and chrome parts. Too bad it's not the 90's anymore, you could go all billet aluminum and get another 30% in HP! Remember, a shiny engine is a happy engine.

[Choda]

i disagree about not buying quality headers. 99% of the time its a one time purchase. Spend the money once and reap the benefits. Fitment, plug clearance, material... the csp headers seem to be the best out there but you'll pay for it.

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by Choda

i disagree about not buying quality headers. 99% of the time its a one time purchase. Spend the money once and reap the benefits. Fitment, plug clearance, material... the csp headers seem to be the best out there but you'll pay for it.

Its a one time purchase with other added costs

$2000 for headers + a tune $500-$700 more or you can avoid the tune, then pay another $700 when you blow out your plugs.

Not to mention if there is any other work done at the same time.

You can spend 30+% less money and get the same gains. Same reason why I never went with Rotofab for my CAI. After seeing Lethal Garage showing no HP gains compared to stock intake, that's why I went with K&N which was actually tested to gain as much as 9hp. Now that's not to say Rotofab doesn't do anything it does in fact increase torque but just not hp according to Lethal Garage. But its up to the person of course.

About the only point regarding headers I won't argue is rather or not you should ceramic coat them or not.

It is worth it no matter how you slice it, and you will pay more for coated headers.

[SATINSTEEL1LE]

Originally Posted by Choda

i disagree about not buying quality headers. 99% of the time its a one time purchase. Spend the money once and reap the benefits. Fitment, plug clearance, material... the csp headers seem to be the best out there but you'll pay for it.

No the 2" american racing headers are the best.

[ericsmith881]

Originally Posted by Choda

i disagree about not buying quality headers. 99% of the time its a one time purchase. Spend the money once and reap the benefits. Fitment, plug clearance, material... the csp headers seem to be the best out there but you'll pay for it.

To my knowledge no one is saying the Speed Engineering headers aren't "quality headers." From the looks of it, the Kooks are great but overpriced (just like the MSD intake vs. an LT2). Coated Kooks are $2k+. Coated SE's are under $1k. While the Kooks may be "better" in some way, I can't see it being better enough to warrant a 3x increase in price. I had planned on going twin-turbo but I'm so in love with the new C8 I'll probably wait and do it there, leaving my Camaro as the "family car."

Unless someone has some horror stories about coated SE header fitment or falling apart, this is likely what I'll go with. I'm waiting to hear back from Vengeance as well.

[tarmelter]

Very curious on what you go with. I'll be modifying my car next year and plan to start FBO then go from there. Maybe FI or Heads & Cams down the road.

[redcoats1976]

hookers and cocaine?

[Gen6cyl]

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

hookers and cocaine?

Hunter B would agree.

[ericsmith881]

Reaching out to anyone who has the Speed Engineering headers. Did you have any issues fitting them? Any chassis mods required? Do they rub/rattle on anything?

[Crushin_LT1]

Originally Posted by Gen6cyl

Hunter B would agree.

Hunter S T too, for that matter.