do i need new headers when i get a new camshaft

[mikeSS]

this is probably a really dumb question for some people on here. but i just started looking into camshafts and saw the nice gains from them and wanted to maybe have this done some time . right now i have a CAI+ exhaust. but do not have headers.

i keep reading about people talking about getting both headers and cam..

do i need new headers when i get a new camshaft? or can i just keep the stock ones on?

[speedster]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

this is probably a really dumb question for some people on here. but i just started looking into camshafts and saw the nice gains from them and wanted to maybe have this done some time . right now i have a CAI+ exhaust. but do not have headers.

i keep reading about people talking about getting both headers and cam..

do i need new headers when i get a new camshaft? or can i just keep the stock ones on?

You can definitely keep the stock exhaust. It is just that when you do a cam swap plus the headers the gain is synergistic and you get a higher % gain.

Either way, enjoy.

[IROCanSS]

YES YES YES.

My friend did his cam first and actually LOST power over stock baseline (so he claims - I didnt see the results. he kept them under lock and key) but when he did the headers, no cats, 3" flowmaster and RotoFab CAI, he picked up 100 rwhp over his baseline dyno.

The intake and exhaust manifolds on these cars is terribly restrictive. Since you have CAI and catback, If you are going with a cam, for sure do headers. They are an easy install and the cost (respective to a cam swap) is cheap, unless you do the cam swap work yourself.

I kept stock exhaust (no cam swap) as you only grab 5-10 rwhp from a cat back and not sure if its worth the money. We will see how the headers sound with the factory catback soon. I have mine, just not on yet and I am keeping stock exhaust with cat delete and RotoFab. I am hoping for in the 410-420 HP range.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by speedster

You can definitely keep the stock exhaust. It is just that when you do a cam swap plus the headers the gain is synergistic and you get a higher % gain.

Either way, enjoy.

ok thats makes more sense. would i still have pretty good gains with the new cam without new headers

[speedster]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

ok thats makes more sense. would i still have pretty good gains with the new cam without new headers

Jr is right above about the headers and for that matter you CAN lose power if you do not get a good tune afterward. The intake on the LS3/L99 is actually a good piece. If you do the cam swap yourself (which is very easy since you don't have to remove the intake or heads to do it) then a cam can be a very cost effective upgrade. With a good tune you can realize a substantial gain. Remember, an engine is just an air pump and the cam is the brains of that pump. Have at it.

I am sure you could ask Livernois, ADM or Janetty for some cam profiles they have had good success with.

[zebra]

if that cam gas a good-sized exhaust lobe, you'll want a way to get all that extra exhaust out. i'd say do LTs either during or before the cam

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by speedster

Jr is right above about the headers and for that matter you CAN lose power if you do not get a good tune afterward. The intake on the LS3/L99 is actually a good piece. If you do the cam swap yourself (which is very easy since you don't have to remove the intake or heads to do it) then a cam can be a very cost effective upgrade. With a good tune you can realize a substantial gain. Remember, an engine is just an air pump and the cam is the brains of that pump. Have at it.

I am sure you could ask Livernois, ADM or Janetty for some cam profiles they have had good success with.

ya i was planing on have a shop do this with a tune

[SwiftCat]

Tell you what...I'm currently in the market for a good cam, and can't wait to have it. That being said, with the mods I have done so far, headers pound-for-pound gave me the best bang for my buck. You kill two birds with one stone by getting great gains and a killer sound to boot. Granted, a cam has the same goal in mind...but the sound is only really noticable at idle, and like stated above, won't benefit you much w/out getting rid of the stock cat restriction. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Swifty

[Chris@Livernois]

Headers are not required, but highly recommended when doing a cam swap. Leaving the factory manifolds on the car will leave quite a bit of power on the table.

Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by Rick@Livernois

Headers are not required, but highly recommended when doing a cam swap. Leaving the factory manifolds on the car will leave quite a bit of power on the table.

Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports

so maybe the next step for me should be headers then camshaft. what headers do livernois seem to like?

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

Originally Posted by speedster

You can definitely keep the stock exhaust. It is just that when you do a cam swap plus the headers the gain is synergistic and you get a higher % gain.

Either way, enjoy.

I love it...perfect way to describe how mods work together with each other to achieve an overall goal.

Getting frustrated in reading some threads, its evident that people still believe that mods all seem to "add up" to a number.

Using thoughts like Speedster stated here helps one to better understand that items work together moreso than independant to make gains.

And Rick is correct, there is alot to be left on the table if the stock manifolds are retained. Not that you should necessarily do one before the other, but doing headers first like some of the guys mentioned, is a smart step as well since you could actually see what the cam itself would do with the supporting mods done first.

There is no wrong way...do what makes you happy and what your budget allows you to do when you can do it.

That will make your entire experience all the better friend.

Best of luck and of course, let me know if I can help with any exhaust related items!

-Ivan

[Chris@Livernois]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

so maybe the next step for me should be headers then camshaft. what headers do livernois seem to like?

We can get just about any headers you would like, but use Kooks and Stainless Works in our builds.

Thank you,

Rick