Help me choose which new HEADERS to get

[kbear951]

So it’s looking like I’ll be replacing the lifters in my L99 this week at a minimum.

I’d like to make this shitty situation at least slightly more happy for myself by doing an upgrade of some sort.

I previously swapped out my stock mufflers with FloMaster Super 44s, and did an X-pipe and resonator delete………………………………….which made my car sound like a v6 with a suped up exhaust.

So now I’m thinking this may be a good time to upgrade my headers since they have to come off anyway. I personally like a deep, meaty, slightly raspy roar…..as opposed to my car sounding like a ricer every time on the downshift….so embarrassing! Overall it’s pretty quiet, but the sounds it does make are way to high pitch and not raspy enough for my liking.

All that said, I can’t have it too loud as I live in California and what’s more is the area I live in specifically, has pretty strict noise ordinances that they intermittently crack down on. I would like it a little louder though, but mostly just DEEEEEPER with a little raspiness.

Any suggestions?? I’ll see if I can find some videos to post that have the tone/sound I like. Problem is, I have no idea how loud they are in person, so I can’t just copy what they did. If only there was a way to try them all on first!

[kbear951]

Which part of all the things these guys did, makes it have that uneven idle? I like that too!! And which parts cause the raspiness? Mods are in the description of first two videos and beginning of video on third.

*https://youtu.be/6hnM7odI7qo


https://youtu.be/QllkK33OA6U


https://youtu.be/pCA4qhMgTJ4

[0stones0]

The “uneven idle” is from a cam upgrade.

Raspiness is usually from what you have after the headers.
Here’s mine on LT Stainless Power 1 7/8” headers with hfc to 2.5” Corsa catback.

[spyderbuddy]

Originally Posted by kbear951

So it’s looking like I’ll be replacing the lifters in my L99 this week at a minimum.

I’d like to make this shitty situation at least slightly more happy for myself by doing an upgrade of some sort.

I previously swapped out my stock mufflers with FloMaster Super 44s, and did an X-pipe and resonator delete………………………………….which made my car sound like a v6 with a suped up exhaust.

So now I’m thinking this may be a good time to upgrade my headers since they have to come off anyway. I personally like a deep, meaty, slightly raspy roar…..as opposed to my car sounding like a ricer every time on the downshift….so embarrassing! Overall it’s pretty quiet, but the sounds it does make are way to high pitch and not raspy enough for my liking.

All that said, I can’t have it too loud as I live in California and what’s more is the area I live in specifically, has pretty strict noise ordinances that they intermittently crack down on. I would like it a little louder though, but mostly just DEEEEEPER with a little raspiness.

Any suggestions?? I’ll see if I can find some videos to post that have the tone/sound I like. Problem is, I have no idea how loud they are in person, so I can’t just copy what they did. If only there was a way to try them all on first!

First off I'm sorry you messed up Your Car
but comparing it to a V6 NOT COOL, Some of us on this forum have a V6 Camaro

And sayiing your Ricer V8 sounds like a V6 Wrong

[spyderbuddy]

Originally Posted by 0stones0

The “uneven idle” is from a cam upgrade.

Raspiness is usually from what you have after the headers.
Here’s mine on LT Stainless Power 1 7/8” headers to 2.5” Corsa catback.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hfuc5YsldlM

Sounds Pretty Damn Good

[Pkeen]

Just my opinion from personal experience , don't go to large on primary pipe size unless your planning to go wild with your build ! For example my 2010 ss/rs had 1 3/4" headers on stock engine , I installed 2" headers and it totally killed low end torque . Went back to the 1 3/4" , I then built a 416ci stroker with stock unported heads ,intake and Tb , And still running the 1 3/4" Dynoed out 515rwhp 500rwtq.
What I'm trying to say is too large for your build will hurt low end torque! I'll probably regret this as I'm sure there will be a lot of differences in opinion! But that's ok , best wishes on your build !

[mlee]

Originally Posted by Pkeen

Just my opinion from personal experience , don't go to large on primary pipe size unless your planning to go wild with your build ! For example my 2010 ss/rs had 1 3/4" headers on stock engine , I installed 2" headers and it totally killed low end torque . Went back to the 1 3/4" , I then built a 416ci stroker with stock unported heads ,intake and Tb , And still running the 1 3/4" Dynoed out 515rwhp 500rwtq.
What I'm trying to say is too large for your build will hurt low end torque! I'll probably regret this as I'm sure there will be a lot of differences in opinion! But that's ok , best wishes on your build !

Are you sure it's not 1-7/8". Never heard of 1 3/4" on these cars but I could be wrong.

[Joe.G]

The Made 1 3/4 - 1 7/8 and 2 ".
I would add a set of Stainless Power 1 7/8 headers with their Hi Flow cats. You can contact a tuner and get a Mail Order tune, Dyno Steve has been great to work with. Me Personally I really like the Stock NPP Exhaust set up I think it sounds great. I would Not use the Factory L99 exhaust at all. I think I would keep the Flow masters until after the headers and see what you think, It is easy to change The cat back part. The Idle you hear is because of the Cams, It can be added though a tune and increased or decreased as well. I am fairly new to Cars that require tuning as All of my older camaros were not tuned this way, I had to change jets and springs lol


I think since you live in Cali I would speak with a Performance shop there and see what you can get away with. I do believe I would update the cam and do the delete for the L99 , Like I said before I am not sure how much of a issue it is in real life or is it something that appears more common on the net. Also how long you plan on keeping the and the plans for your car as far as performance and use are important as well.

[L99MARO]

It'll be sorta hard to get headers if you live in Cali, I know a person in texas, that's the only way I was able to get them, but I'd recommend Texas speed headers, I have Spintech mufflers, love how they sound, old muscle car tone without being too raspy or tinny, I also have a cam which will also change the tone too
https://youtube.com/shorts/MCZcMnPJT7A?feature=share
https://youtube.com/shorts/J2ezg1hYqtw?feature=share

[SS_Dave]

Stainless Works or Texas Speed for quality without breaking the bank. Kooks or American Racing if you don't care about the cost. 1 7/8" and high flow cats regardless. Later, when you find the Flowmaster is pissing you off, swap for a Corsa Sport so as not too loud and no drone.

[Pkeen]

Sounds great L99maro !

[pyroguy]

Long tube headers are illegal in California and most manufacturers won’t ship them there. Shorty headers are kind of a waste of money. Good luck with the lifter failure, but even more good luck with living in California.