Headers and cats
Discussion
So, I need an idiots guide to all this business of headers and cats. Something I'm hoping to do later in the year but wanted some guidance.
My car: big boot Monaro LS1 VXR. K&N panel filter and (early) Wortec cat back exhaust (centre silencers removed)
Aim: sounds, slightly more power. Car is a daily driver and so needs to be useable in all conditions (ie speed bumps etc which are not a problem currently). I love the sound of some of the members cars on here and know that a lot of you have already done these mods.
So I've read around the forum about stainless headers and hi flow cats, and have also seen various people selling these. I've had quotes etc, but I want to understand what they do and why (Neil will confirm that I ask too many questions on this sort of stuff).
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of removing the standard (factory) ones I have?
Where to source?
And what's the difference between long/medium and shorties?
I'm aware long tube headers will need more work to fit (been told about an engine torque damper??), so thought medium ones would be a reasonable compromise. I've seen AAS do them as am off the shelf package, as do Wortec, but what about the stuff from the US and Oz? They seem to be cheaper, and whilst I don't want the cheapest option I want something that isn't going to break the bank but is still good quality.
Oh and future upgrade plans...not sure. At the moment none, but I said that nearly a year ago when I bought the car.
Got some other bits need doing to the car first, but hopefully the latter part of 2014 will be louder than the former part.
My car: big boot Monaro LS1 VXR. K&N panel filter and (early) Wortec cat back exhaust (centre silencers removed)
Aim: sounds, slightly more power. Car is a daily driver and so needs to be useable in all conditions (ie speed bumps etc which are not a problem currently). I love the sound of some of the members cars on here and know that a lot of you have already done these mods.
So I've read around the forum about stainless headers and hi flow cats, and have also seen various people selling these. I've had quotes etc, but I want to understand what they do and why (Neil will confirm that I ask too many questions on this sort of stuff).
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of removing the standard (factory) ones I have?
Where to source?
And what's the difference between long/medium and shorties?
I'm aware long tube headers will need more work to fit (been told about an engine torque damper??), so thought medium ones would be a reasonable compromise. I've seen AAS do them as am off the shelf package, as do Wortec, but what about the stuff from the US and Oz? They seem to be cheaper, and whilst I don't want the cheapest option I want something that isn't going to break the bank but is still good quality.
Oh and future upgrade plans...not sure. At the moment none, but I said that nearly a year ago when I bought the car.
Got some other bits need doing to the car first, but hopefully the latter part of 2014 will be louder than the former part.
wozzza said:
Just keep in mind the only real upgrade for an LS1 VXR is longtubes, as it already comes with a set of shorties as standard. Unlike the LS2 which comes with stock manifolds.
Also seen plenty of dyno evidence to prove that 1 7/8 on an otherwise stock LS1 do produce better figures than the smaller 1 3/4. It's not much a few HP at the higher end, but it's the same low end in reality. Yet obviously the gap will change as other mods are installed.
What I am planning to do with my own LS1 VXR.
Do you know who you will be using for this work? Also seen plenty of dyno evidence to prove that 1 7/8 on an otherwise stock LS1 do produce better figures than the smaller 1 3/4. It's not much a few HP at the higher end, but it's the same low end in reality. Yet obviously the gap will change as other mods are installed.
What I am planning to do with my own LS1 VXR.
YME said:
Hi,
I have JBA shortie headers from the US and they don't foul the steering at all. The advantage being that they can be fitted as a direct replacement for cast headers and therefore existing exhausts (aftermarket or production) will fit back without modification.
in my case I had a custom 2.5" fully stainless exhaust made including 100 cell cats and then got the stainless JBA from the US for about $600 including ceramic coating, at a later date.
Do you have a link? I have JBA shortie headers from the US and they don't foul the steering at all. The advantage being that they can be fitted as a direct replacement for cast headers and therefore existing exhausts (aftermarket or production) will fit back without modification.
in my case I had a custom 2.5" fully stainless exhaust made including 100 cell cats and then got the stainless JBA from the US for about $600 including ceramic coating, at a later date.
Also if they are for LHD cars, can they be altered easily? Or not worth the trouble?
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