I'm having some clutch work done and while we're in there I figured I'd install long tubes with a Random Tech high-flow converter/x-pipe system. Comments on this combination are appreciated. Sound, power gains, etc? Would you do it again? If not, why?

These guys have more affordable cats and less restrictive. http://www.car-sound.com/ If you know a good "hotrod" shop you can have your own headers fabricated for the same price.

That's what I'm doing.

Barbie

As a owner of TPIS headers and seeing several other C5s with them my answer is I'd never buy anything from that vendor.

Mine and many others ended up with cracked welds and leaking collector ends.
This is over those buying these better then a year ago and quality never getting better for newest header bought also leak, despite vendor claims of re-designing and using a different weld type.
Other quality issues have been flanges and brackets welded on backwards.

Unless you closely look at airtubes you would not even know they were leaking and sucking in air, effecting engine.
Vendor says they will repair, but leaving it up to your pocketbook and time to yank, ship and reinstall repaired headers, so warranty is kinda useless and getting long tubed headers in and out is not a fun task.

Barbie, I have "connections" on the cat so I'll be sticking with RT.

John, good feedback. What long tubes should I look at, then?

You might check out this vendor, at least they are not made of crappy mild steel like the TPIS is.

>>>"Pricing will be as follows:
SS Headers with "V" clamp and "stubby" .......... $1595
SS Headers with "V" clamp and removable "Off road" pipe..... $1695
SS Removable Catalytic Converters, with "V" clamps........ $ 525
SS 3" Off Road pipes, with "V" clamps................ $ 100
Mild steel 3" off road pipes with "V" clamps ................ $ 75
SS Merge collectors with "V" clamps........................ $ 525

The supply will be slow in the begining. We are just now ramping up production. The first 25 sets will come out of LG Motorsports direct.

On the first 25 sets, we will offer a free $100 gift certificate with the headers, towards a future purchase, or a 10% discount if a full (Cat/off road ) system is purchased.

These will be on a first come basis, and the supply will be limited at first, so if you want to get on a list, call (or order on line) with a 10% deposit so we know you are serious, and we will start shipping them out as we finish them.

web page

Brian:

I did quite a bit of research on headers about a year ago, and have the same reports on the TPIS as teamzr1. Stay away from them, lots of quality and fitment problems as he identified. And the end user seems to be the guy stuck holding the bag when it comes time to deal with the problems, and taking apart his car. They got so bad that one of the "approved" vendors elsewhere no longer carries them.

Best that I found (and bought) were the TTS (yes, of Steve Cole fame) long tubes. I even had them in the trunk (Chris Lee was probably the first in the Northeast to actually have them on his car -- and still does -- I would have been second). They offer the best and broadest (especially low down) power improvement, and the quality is first rate.

After speaking numerous times with Steve Cole (yes, I actually never had a problem getting through), and developing a detailed set of install instructions (none came with them), I decided I did not want to get that "modded" with my car, and returned them to the "approved" vendor, along with a detailed set of instructions that he has (and uses). Just a simpe "restocking fee," which I was glad to pay to get out of the headache of the install I found coming.

If you actually want headers, TTS are the one's to get, but it involves cutting off the precats, no more emissions warranty, possible "check engine" light and miscellaneous other emissions related codes (that Steve said he was not prepared to program away through a Powerloader), more engine compartment heat, more sound (good or bad depending on how you like the Indy Corsas I already have), jacking the engine up on the mounts to get them in, removing the starter, disconnecting the steering, etc. In short, it's an all day affair to install, at the least, and cannot be reversed all that easily. And, it would have been driven me crazy to drive with a check engine light on all the time (Steve said no harm, mate).

If youstill really want headers look at the Belanger shorties. A direct replacement without chopping up the car. Not as much power, but still some header type stuff to keep you happy.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, EHS. I do still really want them, since c4c5 will already have the dang thing disassembled, might as well slip them headers in at the same time, eh?

I'm coming up to see you - let's have dinner on 1/30/02 with myself, Eric (magnetic1), and my lovely wife? You can pick the place? We can also invite JBsC5.

EHS,

Are you speaking of the same Belangers that just came out? I do believe those are Long Tube... ??

If you had the choice.. which would you recommend?

TTS or Belanger long tubes?

magnetic1:

I was speaking of the Belanger shorties -- they stop doing their thing just before the precats (here in the Northeast all 2000+ C5s have precats), so the emissions system (and its warranty) remains intact. Don't know too much about their long tubes.

Here is their website:

http://www.bbtriflo.com/domestic.html

There is a picture of the shorties at the bottom.
Model # (for a 2000) is: FCOR-0255.

And another link with details (at the "other" place but with a nice and clear photo):

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/corvetteforum/bbheadfor97.html


Brian:

Wed. 1/30 dinner is confirmed. E-mail me a food group and location.

Brian,

I am hearing good #'s from Ernie's long tube step headers from Breathless. These may be my next mod. Also, if a clutch has to be changed, the headers don't have to be removed. This may be an option you might want to look at.

[ 01-21-2002: Message edited by: fcalmes ]

I had TPIS headers on my 2000 convertible and I am putting them on my Z06 as soon as the snow melts, the shop I use has installed 16 sets of TPIS headers from 98 thru now, many people have over 30,000 miles on their headers as they are daily drivers, most are Zaino customers that I see several times a year, no one has had any problems. I did have brackets welded on backwards on my set in 00', the fix was pretty simple if caught before installed, it did take about an hour to fix because they were bolted on the car. I have been putting headers on my cars since the late 70's and the TPIS headers are as good as any and much better than most. Coles headers are good quality as well but I wanted the larger pipes (1 3/4" vs. 1 5/8") on my car.

I've had the TPIS set on my Hardtop for a year now. No leaks, no cracks, no fitment issue, finish looks as it did when they were new.

EHS,

I think you have the Belangers confused with the B&B Triflo Shorties.....

No problems with my TPIS long tubes either. Been 2 years now, only 5000 miles, but still perfect. No carbon marks, (indicating leaks>0), no cracks, welds are fine.

i have the TPIS headers too.on both my vettes. i would highly recommend them. i have had the ones on my 95 for 3 years.

ive had them on the 01 for 5 months.
easy install.great fit.no problems.unbelievable sound
i wanted the 1 3/4 tubes too. and you cant argue with 371 hp at the wheels with TPIS headers,hot cam,vortex and xr1 borla.over 325 rear wheel torque from 2600 rpm up to redline