Z28 Headers on a ZL1?

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Anybody thought about using factory Z28 headers on a ZL1? Might be a nice little factory upgrade? Any thoughts? Biggest downside would probably be the price. Since aftermarket Tri Y headers are no longer available this might be a good option? (Z28 has Tri Y headers OEM)

[charlietuna]

I too am waiting for this to be installed and dyno tested. It kills me that arguably the best header option is no longer available. I hope someone will take the plunge.

[hognutz]

I think they will be expensive.

my .02 is people really overthink headers and CAI mods.

people make pretty big power with all the flavors of each.

Don't get me wrong I proabably read way to much before I do any one mod but my conclustion is all the top brands of each will make a fast car.

I have stainless power and rotofab to keep the cost down. the car feels strong and I am 1k deap in the pair.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Z28 "headers" will probably cost more than aftermarket headers, weigh more, and yield less power. Why do that? Waste of time and $ in my opinion.

[ZL1#216]

From pictures, it appears that the Z/28 manifolds have a different orientation on the midpipe flanges. Therefore, I don't think they are a simple/exact bolt-on for the ZL1 or SS.

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Originally Posted by hognutz

I think they will be expensive.

my .02 is people really overthink headers and CAI mods.

people make pretty big power with all the flavors of each.

Don't get me wrong I proabably read way to much before I do any one mod but my conclustion is all the top brands of each will make a fast car.

I have stainless power and rotofab to keep the cost down. the car feels strong and I am 1k deap in the pair.

I hear ya, but this is how I feel about modding.

I have a $50-60K Camaro that I intend on racing and keeping as perfect as possible for a long time.

I have invested a lot of time and money into the car and enjoy it.

Because of this, a few hundred dollars one way or the other is pretty much irrelevant to me. I want the best possible parts that yield the best possible gains with the least headaches or future issues.

People who mod cars based on price alone never finish first and are more likely to have problems later on. You can always tell the guy who bought the cheapest parts and then wonders why his car doesn't run as good as the next.

I'm not trying to say that only the most expensive parts are worth buying and that anything less is junk. What I am saying is that in my opinion, price is irrelevant and I want to do as much research as possible to determine what is the best part available.

We can agree that replacing the ZL1 stock headers with any aftermarket headers should show gains.

The top contenders being the Pfadt Tri-Y's (no longer made) and the Kooks Stepped. I wonder how these gains compare to the new Z28 OEM header design?

Seems to me the Z28 Tri-Y headers are the only set designed by GM and their billion dollar research and racing budget and know how. They might just be the best header available or they could also be the biggest turd. I don't know. Thats why I asked what people who know more than me think about them on a ZL1.

Maybe they don't show the gains of an aftermarket longtube but the cats might last longer being OEM and maybe they won't require a tune or give O2 codes. Seems to me with all the people trying to avoid a tune (which they think voids the entire car warranty ) that this might be a good solution. Or maybe not. Does anybody know yet?

I would however bet $ that they perform better than the stock ZL1 headers being a Tri-Y design and being from the Z28.

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

Z28 "headers" will probably cost more than aftermarket headers, weigh more, and yield less power. Why do that? Waste of time and $ in my opinion.

Maybe they don't require a tune?
Maybe they don't require relocating the cats farther down stream causing O2 codes?
Maybe because they are OEM the cats will last longer with boost than the aftermarket cat options?
Maybe they will look stock enough to be "sleeper"?

All of these possibilities make it worth the time to investigate.
Don't you agree?

[wally mayfield]

has anyone ran a stock camaro in the 1/4 mile and then bolted on a set of headers and did it again??? Id be interested in seeing the results..

your wallet will tell you it made a difference, but Id like to see the "real" results..

why wouldn't GM put them on in the 1st place?

thoughts?

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Originally Posted by ZL1#216

From pictures, it appears that the Z/28 manifolds have a different orientation on the midpipe flanges. Therefore, I don't think they are a simple/exact bolt-on for the ZL1 or SS.

If that is true, then maybe the mid pipes (with cats) need to be purchased as well. (Likely making the mod far too expensive)

The headers with the mid pipes should likely bolt directly to the OEM catback exhaust because I doubt that changed also. (I could be wrong though, does anyone know if the ZL1 and Z28 share the same NPP exhaust?)

I know a certain vendor and member that has both a ZL1 and a Z28 in his garage. Maybe he would be so kind as to take a look for us? Please!!!

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Originally Posted by wally mayfield

has anyone ran a stock camaro in the 1/4 mile and then bolted on a set of headers and did it again??? Id be interested in seeing the results..

your wallet will tell you it made a difference, but Id like to see the "real" results..

why wouldn't GM put them on in the 1st place?

thoughts?

Long tube headers do offer gains over an OEM cast shorty header. This is dyno proven and has been for longer than I have been alive.

OEM uses cast shorty headers (usually log style) because they are cheap, reliable and strong, easy to make, keep engine bay temps down a little and allow the catalytic converters to be located closer to the engine and thus function better with warmer exhaust gases. This allows them to better pass our stupid emissions standards.

For these reasons alone I am interested in the Z28 Tri-Y design. Obviously the Z28 passes emissions and testing and yet GM choose to make this change and charge extra for it in the Z28 price. What do they know that we don't?

PS: I like your signature! In a half joking, half serious and fed up kind of way...

[wally mayfield]

Thanks 2013 ZL1 #7860..seems reasonable..

also nukes worked once didn't they??

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Originally Posted by wally mayfield

Thanks 2013 ZL1 #7860..seems reasonable..

also nukes worked once didn't they??

Yes they did, just wish they weren't needed.

[2013 ZL1 #7860]

Originally Posted by charlietuna

I too am waiting for this to be installed and dyno tested. It kills me that arguably the best header option is no longer available. I hope someone will take the plunge.

Any ideas on how we could get a set?

I'm pretty sure GM won't be selling Z28 parts for a long time to non Z28 owners.

But maybe with a Z28 vin we could get a replacement set?

How would I look this up and where that won't cost $8,000?

[DrkPhx]

If you go to the Z/28 section here you can find the exhaust manifold part numbers in the z/28 parts thread and then search the various GM parts websites to find the prices and see they're not that bad. I would think they're a direct bolt in (not sure) and realistically expect the same gains as shorties. The Z/28 NPP is 2.75" diameter compared to the 2.50" ZL1 and is also sold separately and can be ordered with an adaptor.