What size headers should I get...? 1 3/4, 1 7/8 or 2" - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Carlos Garza · 10-10-2009, 09:33 PM

Hi guy, I bought my car a month ago and I'm ready to start modding it. I use to take my Charger SRT8 to the track once a week and would like to do the same with my Camaro SS. This is what I planing to get....

Vararam ram air CAI
160° Tstat
Corsa CATBACK
Dyno custom tune
NGK spark plugs and MSD wires
Headers with high flow cats

Besides having every bolt on available on my SRT8, I also had ported intake and heads, a stage 2 cam, ect. With all my mods, my SRT8 was running low 12s in a track with the DA around 2500. On my 2010 Camaro SS, I'm planning to go a different route; I would like to get a SC in a little bit over a year.

So my question is, what size headers should I get, 1 3/4, 1 7/8 or 2". I need my headers to make good power with my boltons and also work great when I install the SC a year from now. I would hate to lose power with my boltons, due to a decrease on "back pressure" because the headers are too big. So what size do you guys think I should go with...

thanks!!!

freemaSSon · 10-10-2009, 09:54 PM

If you eventually plan to go with a Heads and Cam package then opt for the 1 7/8". The 2" is really best suited for large cubic inch engine volumes but any engine can benefit by the additional flow of 2" if you really max out the air flow with the Heads and Cam valve event timing.

I opted for the 1 7/8" and damn glad I did. They're making great power with my MILD cam choice and worked heads. My build is in PHASE I, I will be adding a TVS2300 next year.

chappy48 · 10-11-2009, 01:57 AM

I was always under the impression that you choose the size of the headers and exhaust based upon what type of driving experience you want. If you want a car to pull stronger down low during normal every day driving go with the smaller diameter. If you want it to pull stronger up top, bigger diameter.

Longhorn SS · 10-11-2009, 09:23 AM

I ordered 1-3/4" because I'm only going to have Roto-Fab CAI, ARH LTs w/cats and a tune, so not enough to warrant 1-7/8" and I want more grunt on the low end. Not planning on hitting the drag strip much if ever.

Scott

SGOS252382 · 10-11-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn SS

I ordered 1-3/4" because I'm only going to have Roto-Fab CAI, ARH LTs w/cats and a tune, so not enough to warrant 1-7/8" and I want more grunt on the low end. Not planning on hitting the drag strip much if ever.

Scott

I'm also going with 1 3/4 headers. I'm most likely keeping my car a bolt on car (long tubes, high flow cats, CAI, and tune). And as I've mentiond before, I did 1 3/4 and 1 7/8 on my LS2 GTO, and I preferred the way my car drove on the street with the 1 3/4 headers.
The 1 3/4 headers should also fit easier with increased clearance (less chance of rubbing or banging noises due to clearance issues).

Demo Dude · 10-11-2009, 11:29 AM

I put on Stainless Works 2" tube headers and love the way the car pulls from 3800 to 6500 rpm. I am planning on putting a 3.90 gear, ported LSXr intake and Zex 175 hp nitrous kit. The more air and fuel you cram into the motor more exhaust needs to escape, hence the bigger tube headers are the way to go.

SShift · 10-11-2009, 06:20 PM

1 3/4" is all you need. Anything larger if its a track only car.

mr_desmo · 10-11-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demo Dude

I put on Stainless Works 2" tube headers and love the way the car pulls from 3800 to 6500 rpm. I am planning on putting a 3.90 gear, ported LSXr intake and Zex 175 hp nitrous kit. The more air and fuel you cram into the motor more exhaust needs to escape, hence the bigger tube headers are the way to go.

I could be wrong 2 inch per primary on a na car without going stroker, big cam or both at the same time is not good for performance....im sure you lost some....but then again you seem happy....begger fact is youre running stock catback so whatever 1 3/4 or 2 inch...it still flows into 2.5 inch right?

Carlos Garza · 10-11-2009, 07:05 PM

I think that the 2" headers are too big for a bolt on car. If I was going to go with a SC right away, then I would go with the 2", but I'm starting with the boltons (CAI, catback, 160 tstat, headers, and dyno tune), and in about 12 months I will install a SC magnacharger. So I want something that will work awesome with my boltons and still work great when ever I install the SC.

dragrcr · 10-11-2009, 08:41 PM

I just ordered 1-3/4" kooks today. Because I am only going with bolt ons.

They list the 1-7/8" as being for cars with ported heads, cam etc. and OVER 550 HP.

They say 2" are for all that plus nitrous or cars with a supercharger.

DetroitMuscle2010 · 10-11-2009, 10:43 PM

go 1 3/4

Demo Dude · 10-12-2009, 05:19 AM

I dont have stock cat back. The headers go into 3" collector then hi-flow cats, x-pipe and full 3" exhaust with aggressive s-tube mufflers. It is way better then the stock system, maybe its not as much power as smaller tubes right now, but once the manifold, nitrous and tune are done the 2" tubes are gonna help alot. This combination should be worth 650+or- hp. And all you really lose with bigger tubes is tourque. The nitrous is a tourque making mo-fo so that is not gonna be a problem and these motors stock make more tourque then you can put down on the ground allready with the stock tires so...

mr_desmo · 10-12-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demo Dude

I dont have stock cat back. The headers go into 3" collector then hi-flow cats, x-pipe and full 3" exhaust with aggressive s-tube mufflers. It is way better then the stock system, maybe its not as much power as smaller tubes right now, but once the manifold, nitrous and tune are done the 2" tubes are gonna help alot. This combination should be worth 650+or- hp. And all you really lose with bigger tubes is tourque. The nitrous is a tourque making mo-fo so that is not gonna be a problem and these motors stock make more tourque then you can put down on the ground allready with the stock tires so...

nitrous is really a joke because while yes it adds power a 10 pounds bottle last 60 seconds or so; so from day to day your car wont feel as good with 2 inch primary compared to a supercharged car who uses the same stuff.

Demo Dude · 10-12-2009, 02:58 PM

Your average street race or run down the track only last 10-60 seconds any way so the nitrous is not a joke. People that dont understand nitrous and are scared to use it are a joke. And you may want to read the following article on the exhaust back pressure myth before you buy too small of headers.
http://my.prostreetonline.com/forums...php?t-1639.htm

10-10-2009, 09:33 PM	#1
Carlos Garza Drives: 2010 Camaro SS RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Posts: 236	What size headers should I get...? 1 3/4, 1 7/8 or 2" Hi guy, I bought my car a month ago and I'm ready to start modding it. I use to take my Charger SRT8 to the track once a week and would like to do the same with my Camaro SS. This is what I planing to get.... Vararam ram air CAI 160° Tstat Corsa CATBACK Dyno custom tune NGK spark plugs and MSD wires Headers with high flow cats Besides having every bolt on available on my SRT8, I also had ported intake and heads, a stage 2 cam, ect. With all my mods, my SRT8 was running low 12s in a track with the DA around 2500. On my 2010 Camaro SS, I'm planning to go a different route; I would like to get a SC in a little bit over a year. So my question is, what size headers should I get, 1 3/4, 1 7/8 or 2". I need my headers to make good power with my boltons and also work great when I install the SC a year from now. I would hate to lose power with my boltons, due to a decrease on "back pressure" because the headers are too big. So what size do you guys think I should go with... thanks!!!

10-10-2009, 09:54 PM	#2
freemaSSon Pat @ ADM PERFORMANCE Drives: CGM SS/RS M6 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Prosper, TX Posts: 506	If you eventually plan to go with a Heads and Cam package then opt for the 1 7/8". The 2" is really best suited for large cubic inch engine volumes but any engine can benefit by the additional flow of 2" if you really max out the air flow with the Heads and Cam valve event timing. I opted for the 1 7/8" and damn glad I did. They're making great power with my MILD cam choice and worked heads. My build is in PHASE I, I will be adding a TVS2300 next year. __________________ "old age and treachery will always overcome youth and ambition" author unknown "There are two types of racers: cheaters...and losers." Smokey Yunick

10-11-2009, 09:23 AM	#4
Longhorn SS Drives: 2010 IOM Camaro SSRS L99 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 63 View My Garage	I ordered 1-3/4" because I'm only going to have Roto-Fab CAI, ARH LTs w/cats and a tune, so not enough to warrant 1-7/8" and I want more grunt on the low end. Not planning on hitting the drag strip much if ever. Scott __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - Roto-Fab CAI, ARH 1-3/4" LTs w/cats, LMR tune, KW V3 coilovers, Pfadt F&R sway bars, end links, rear trailing arms, tie rods, solid subframe bushings, HPS brake pads

10-11-2009, 11:29 AM	#6
Demo Dude Drives: 2SS/RS IBM Blk Stripes Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 26	I put on Stainless Works 2" tube headers and love the way the car pulls from 3800 to 6500 rpm. I am planning on putting a 3.90 gear, ported LSXr intake and Zex 175 hp nitrous kit. The more air and fuel you cram into the motor more exhaust needs to escape, hence the bigger tube headers are the way to go. __________________ Hennessy CAI w/heat shield, Stainless Works 2" long tube headers, hi-flow cats, full 3" exhaust with aggressive s-tube mufflers.

10-11-2009, 07:05 PM	#9
Carlos Garza Drives: 2010 Camaro SS RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Posts: 236	I think that the 2" headers are too big for a bolt on car. If I was going to go with a SC right away, then I would go with the 2", but I'm starting with the boltons (CAI, catback, 160 tstat, headers, and dyno tune), and in about 12 months I will install a SC magnacharger. So I want something that will work awesome with my boltons and still work great when ever I install the SC. Last edited by Carlos Garza; 10-11-2009 at 07:59 PM.

10-11-2009, 01:57 AM	#3
chappy48 Drives: 2010 Camaro Auto 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 878	I was always under the impression that you choose the size of the headers and exhaust based upon what type of driving experience you want. If you want a car to pull stronger down low during normal every day driving go with the smaller diameter. If you want it to pull stronger up top, bigger diameter.

10-11-2009, 06:20 PM	#7
SShift Drives: Only Bowties! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Depths of Hell Posts: 154	1 3/4" is all you need. Anything larger if its a track only car.

10-11-2009, 08:41 PM	#10
dragrcr 2SS 6M Drives: 2010 2SS 6M Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga , CA Posts: 113	I just ordered 1-3/4" kooks today. Because I am only going with bolt ons. They list the 1-7/8" as being for cars with ported heads, cam etc. and OVER 550 HP. They say 2" are for all that plus nitrous or cars with a supercharger.

10-11-2009, 10:43 PM	#11
DetroitMuscle2010 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 81	go 1 3/4

10-12-2009, 05:19 AM	#12
Demo Dude Drives: 2SS/RS IBM Blk Stripes Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 26	I dont have stock cat back. The headers go into 3" collector then hi-flow cats, x-pipe and full 3" exhaust with aggressive s-tube mufflers. It is way better then the stock system, maybe its not as much power as smaller tubes right now, but once the manifold, nitrous and tune are done the 2" tubes are gonna help alot. This combination should be worth 650+or- hp. And all you really lose with bigger tubes is tourque. The nitrous is a tourque making mo-fo so that is not gonna be a problem and these motors stock make more tourque then you can put down on the ground allready with the stock tires so... __________________ Hennessy CAI w/heat shield, Stainless Works 2" long tube headers, hi-flow cats, full 3" exhaust with aggressive s-tube mufflers.

10-12-2009, 02:58 PM	#14
Demo Dude Drives: 2SS/RS IBM Blk Stripes Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 26	Your average street race or run down the track only last 10-60 seconds any way so the nitrous is not a joke. People that dont understand nitrous and are scared to use it are a joke. And you may want to read the following article on the exhaust back pressure myth before you buy too small of headers. http://my.prostreetonline.com/forums...php?t-1639.htm __________________ Hennessy CAI w/heat shield, Stainless Works 2" long tube headers, hi-flow cats, full 3" exhaust with aggressive s-tube mufflers.

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