Header sound question

[cal45]

This will probably be a first....I am looking for stainless long tube headers w/high flow cats that are great quality & hp/tq gains but....not looking for the "loudest".

I currently have the "fuse pull" mod done on my ZL1 w/NPP and like how it sounds. I want to add headers for the performance gains but I do not want it to be extremely louder. Anyone have recommendations on what would be the "quietest" or do they all (AR, SW, Kooks) pretty much produce the same decibel increase?

Thanks for any help.

[G Money]

Not the answer to your question but you will not get any performance gains from just adding headers unless you tune the car. You will loose boost by adding headers.

[cal45]

Originally Posted by G Money

Not the answer to your question but you will not get any performance gains from just adding headers unless you tune the car. You will loose boost by adding headers.

Yes, I am aware of that - looking to do a pulley swap too.
Just trying to see if some header makes are consistently louder than others.

[G Money]

I'm very happy with the ARH 1 7/8 headers I have. No drone at all on the highway and i'm catless. However with all the power i'm pushing its louder.......Especially when I mash the go pedal. They will all be louder but if you put your fuse back in it will help.

[cal45]

Originally Posted by G Money

I'm very happy with the ARH 1 7/8 headers I have. No drone at all on the highway and i'm catless. However with all the power i'm pushing its louder.......Especially when I mash the go pedal. They will all be louder but if you put your fuse back in it will help.

That's a lot of power for sure. I'm not looking to go that drastic as this is also my daily driver. Just not looking for it to rattle the windows in my neighborhood.

[HOJO]

You may loose some boost but that does not mean you will loose power. Boost is created by restriction. Boost is not a direct representation of power.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

Originally Posted by HOJO

You may loose some boost but that does not mean you will loose power. Boost is created by restriction. Boost is not a direct representation of power.

Yep this.

[Ron_Robinson1]

Originally Posted by G Money

Not the answer to your question but you will not get any performance gains from just adding headers unless you tune the car. You will loose boost by adding headers.

This is not true. It's been proven in a few different threads over the years that adding LT headers will gain HP, do you get the full potential of them without a tune probably not. But there is gains made.

But you are correct that you will loose boost with headers. But you do not lose power, it's just more efficient being able to breath better.

On a side not, I would not add LT's without a tune myself. You will always pop a code for the O2 sensors.

[cal45]

Ok guys - lets get back on topic pls.

I want to add headers for the performance gains but I do not want it to be extremely louder. Anyone have recommendations on what would be the "quietest" or do they all (AR, SW, Kooks) pretty much produce the same decibel increase?

[ZL W0N]

I would think putting your fuse back in your NPP system should help keep the dB's down a bit. Especially when cruising through the neighborhood. I feel like any tube of LT header would produce similar dB gains. High flow cats or no cats would also make a difference too. You can't use your factory cats if you get LT headers though. Thinking about going SW long tube headers with no cats sometime soon, but I like the loudness and mine is also not a daily driver.

[AZ-ZL1]

Still have my factory cats, no problems after 3700 miles and numerous trips down the drag strip. Keeps the sound down except at WOT.

[ZL1Kid_AL]

Adding headers will make it louder regardless, I don't think it matters what brand you go with because regardless the headers will come in a 1 7/8 or 2" size..
Stay away from any 2" headers, they really make things loud

[cal45]

Originally Posted by AZ-ZL1

Still have my factory cats, no problems after 3700 miles and numerous trips down the drag strip. Keeps the sound down except at WOT.

Are you running shorty headers?

[cal45]

Originally Posted by ZL1Kid_AL

Adding headers will make it louder regardless, I don't think it matters what brand you go with because regardless the headers will come in a 1 7/8 or 2" size..
Stay away from any 2" headers, they really make things loud

Yeah, I will stay with the 1 7/8 size as I won't be going crazy with engine mods as this is my daily driver.