Thought on Headers

[brazilfree]

I am thinking hard about going with headers to get the full measure of the 475 LPE/500 Cam pkg. I am not sure I am ready for the increase in sound ( I have a 700hp street Fox Mustang that is a bit on the loud side). I know I am loosing a lot of HP due to my 4L80-E transplant an I think the headers would help there.

I am interested in the sages thoughts on the sound / hp etc as I do like driving my ZR1. It will find the track every now and then too. Thanks in advance.

[Z Factor]

Headers will make an improvement just as you suspect, however the noise factor will be based more on what you put on afterwards. If you put cats and a resonator on then it will probably sound pretty tame. However most people that put on headers don't want a restrictive exhaust system behind them unless their state requires it.

It will also depend on what catback system you choose that will determine the note and level of sound you will get. You can look at this thread for ideas along those lines.

http://zr1netregistry.com/forum/showthread.php?t=470

Personally, if I were putting on headers to a modded engine I'd want the same set up I have with no cats, an x-pipe and a B&B, the noise/resonance be dammed. That is unless it was going to be a daily driver, then you might not be able to deal with it.

The bottom line is that Headers are one of the better mods for our ZR-1's.

[brazilfree]

Originally Posted by Z Factor

Headers will make an improvement just as you suspect, however the noise factor will be based more on what you put on afterwards. If you put cats and a resonator on then it will probably sound pretty tame. However most people that put on headers don't want a restrictive exhaust system behind them unless their state requires it.

It will also depend on what catback system you choose that will determine the note and level of sound you will get. You can look at this thread for ideas along those lines.

http://zr1netregistry.com/forum/showthread.php?t=470

Personally, if I were putting on headers to a modded engine I'd want the same set up I have with no cats, an x-pipe and a B&B, the noise/resonance be dammed. That is unless it was going to be a daily driver, then you might not be able to deal with it.

The bottom line is that Headers are one of the better mods for our ZR-1's.

I have Borla on it now. I know the 4L80 is larger than a normal Corvette auto so some fab work may be required (just not sure). Thanks for the feedback. I also have reviewed the link a few time over the last month. I think I will go with the headers and see what I have to do for another exhaust. It has a date this month with Mark to refinish the engine, I will let him direct from there. Thanks again.

[jonszr1]

good call on mark ya cant go wrong with him. a plus guy that truely cars about this special car.

[brazilfree]

Originally Posted by jonszr1

good call on mark ya cant go wrong with him. a plus guy that truely cars about this special car.

Thanks I have the car in on the 18th.

[lbszr]

SW headers and B@B with resonator and today I don't think I even noticed the rumble . Could be loud for a everyday driver though.

[mrzzzr1]

I added Flowmaster exhaust to my original factory headers with cats which I think had a very nice deep and powerful sound and definitely louder than the original exhaust note. The Flowmasters definitely added power but I never dyno'd to find out how much,

Then > I replaced the factory tube headers (with cats) with long tube headers (minus cats). My headers were made by PFE (Performance Fabrication Engineering) in Harrison Twp, Mi who claim to have made the headers for the ZR1 world record run back in 1989 which is what they installed on my car. PFE's headers had the connections for the air pump which I still have connected and operating.
The sound of these headers combined with the Flowmaster exhaust is very loud except at idle including resonace on the highway. Sometimes I don't even bother turning the radio on because it's hard to hear anyway unless I crank up the volume. PFE says its one of their favorite sounding systems; their headers on my car with the flowmaster exhausts.

I have one additonal thing to mention > I get a some backfire sounds when I downshift. My mechanic says the backfire is due to the air pump being hooked up and a lot of raw gas going into the exhaust when I am downshifting. He says he can disable the air pump but is concerned about setting a trouble code in the engine computer.

With my exhaust system long trips are definitely not recommended due to the volume of the overall exhaust sound. Being a guy who grew up in the original musle car era of the '60's I live with the sound and enjoy the benefits of the power. Plus no one ever doubts there is power under the hood.

If anyone has feeback on the backfiring it would be appreciated.

[jonszr1]

my flowmaster ex with headers and no cats is pretty quiet except for when i put my foot in it. does your system have a resonator. Mark haibeck can redo your prom to stop that i believe he charges 100 for it

[mrzzzr1]

How do I contact Mark?

[brazilfree]

Originally Posted by mrzzzr1

How do I contact Mark?

He is listed in the shops on this site:

The ZR-1 Specialist
430 D Kay Street
Addison IL
630-458-8427
http://www.zr1specialist.com