Headers and exhaust

[cac0274]

2012 6.2 convertible, looking for suggestions and vendor for complete exhaust including headers. Anything under $1500?

[SS_Dave]

If you want under $1500 for everything, you're probably going to need to go with Speed Engineering. Lots of guys like it fine. Personally, I went with Stainless Power. It's one of the models by Stainless Works. The below video explains the difference.

On Speed Engineering I've seen guys struggle with fitment and then others say no issue. I don't know. Your mileage may vary. And I don't have confidence the finish will look great overtime if that matters to you.

As for other headers, I absolutely doubt you'll see any difference in sound or performance between Stainless Works, American Racing, Kooks (everyone's top choice). And fitment is great on all of those.

For the rest of the exhaust, Corsa and Borla are defacto. But regardless of flavor unless you do axle back only, that alone will be over your budget. You may want to try headers now and leave it stock behind that. You can do headers and a tune in your budget and get both performance and sound. Then later change mufflers or full catback if you want different sound. But that second step isn't going to net you anymore power. Power gains are at headers and either high flow cats or no cats along with a tune.

https://youtu.be/OjCzK4gIteI?si=aw2JGbdRdm995lAh

[cac0274]

Excellent info, any info on a vendor in our group for works or an engineering?

[SS_Dave]

I bought my headers from a local shop that also did corresponding dyno tune. You can buy direct from Stainless, but in my case the local shop cut me a better deal. Phastek also has a lot of stuff. Otherwise FB Camaro pages always have vendors trying to make sales.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by SS_Dave

If you want under $1500 for everything, you're probably going to need to go with Speed Engineering. Lots of guys like it fine. Personally, I went with Stainless Power. It's one of the models by Stainless Works. The below video explains the difference.

On Speed Engineering I've seen guys struggle with fitment and then others say no issue. I don't know. Your mileage may vary. And I don't have confidence the finish will look great overtime if that matters to you.

As for other headers, I absolutely doubt you'll see any difference in sound or performance between Stainless Works, American Racing, Kooks (everyone's top choice). And fitment is great on all of those.

For the rest of the exhaust, Corsa and Borla are defacto. But regardless of flavor unless you do axle back only, that alone will be over your budget. You may want to try headers now and leave it stock behind that. You can do headers and a tune in your budget and get both performance and sound. Then later change mufflers or full catback if you want different sound. But that second step isn't going to net you anymore power. Power gains are at headers and either high flow cats or no cats along with a tune.

https://youtu.be/OjCzK4gIteI?si=aw2JGbdRdm995lAh

Totally agree with Dave on this. I also went with Stainless Power when we did mine many moons ago! I went through a performance shop in my area and they offered me a package deal, headers, offroad mids, install, and a custom dyno tune as well. Cost me 1400 bucks, but that was back in 2012, and with only 12k miles on the car. Now, 12 years later, and 120k miles more, they still look great!! I already had an axle back exhaust back then, so I didn't have to do that. So, yeah, I like the quality of the Stainless Power headers. Back then, I too was on a budget, and that worked for me.

[TheBrightSide]

I think it really depends. If you have the budget, then yeah, Stainless Power is a good cheaper alternative. They have fully welded primary tubes at the exhaust port flange, and they also come with high flow cats and adapters for the factory 2.5" inch catback exhaust system. If you end up wanting to upgrade to a 3" inch catback exhaust system, it should be pretty easy to do so.

But if you care more for other parts, and rust isn't a scare in your state/region, then Speed Engineering long tube headers are fine. I actually like those or some of the eBay clones, since those come with "off-road" connection pipes (basically catless/test pipes). The fitment sometimes hits the steering shaft a tiny bit, on the frontmost primary tubes, on the driver side headers. I ended up just marking the spot with a permanent marker, and then hammering on the area with a ball peen hammer (or a mallet, if you need to make a bigger, more flat indent).

[nobodyspecial]

I went with a Texas speed 1 7/8 longtube with their matching high flow catalytic converter. I also stayed oem with the rest of my exhaust because I wanted it quiet at highway speed. So far so good. It roars at acceleration and quiets down at 60 mph. My cost was around 1k for the kit, $100 for new oem plugs, $60 for new oem header bolts, and $400 for labor. If your not tuned, then budget some extra for that.

[pyroguy]

If you want a reasonable, cheap complete exhaust, then Speed Engineering is the way to go. Headers are around $500 with O2 sensors and new GM gaskets, and the catback is $600. Be warned, the cheaper you go, the more likely you are to need to "massage to fit" some of the pieces. It's not a guarantee, but the risk is higher.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

If you want a reasonable, cheap complete exhaust, then Speed Engineering is the way to go. Headers are around $500 with O2 sensors and new GM gaskets, and the catback is $600. Be warned, the cheaper you go, the more likely you are to need to "massage to fit" some of the pieces. It's not a guarantee, but the risk is higher.

Also the quality of the steel and welds could be off as well.