For a lot of, the C6 Corvette is the best American sports activities vehicle ever constructed. 430 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque have been factory-installed numbers for the C6 after the mid-production changeover to the LS3 engine in 2008. These are excellent stats, there’s no denying it. Nevertheless, what actually units the C6 aside is its means to just accept much more horsepower from aftermarket additions. Upgraded C6 Corvette headers come into play on this scenario.

The LS3 engine is tuned in numerous methods in manufacturing unit configuration. Even aftermarket components can’t match the exceptional movement charges of the inventory LS3 consumption manifold and head. Some components of the plant design, nonetheless, could possibly be improved. The exhaust manifold design of the C6 Corvette is one in all such. Including efficiency headers to your automobile is without doubt one of the most cost-effective methods to extend horsepower and torque. The exhaust manifold is the supply of most of the limitations within the inventory C6 exhaust system, and a great set of headers can dramatically enhance the airflow of your LS3 engine.

It’s straightforward to get misplaced within the vastness of the C6 header universe. We’ll preserve issues easy in the meanwhile. We’ll concentrate on what C6 Corvette headers are, the numerous varieties of headers which might be obtainable, and provides some suggestions on the finish of this text.

What Are C6 Corvette Headers?

Most C6 LS3 Corvette house owners contemplate putting in headers as a primary step of their efficiency modifications due to the elevated exhaust sound they supply. You’ll see a variety of discuss LS3 C6 improved headers on boards and dialogue boards, however you’ll seldom discover out what C6 Corvette headers are or how they perform.

C6 Corvette headers are the primary a part of the exhaust system to be connected to the LS3 engine’s exhaust ports. Due to this, they’ve a major influence on exhaust movement out of the engine. The time period “headers” is used to indicate an aftermarket exhaust manifold with a purpose to make clear terminology. Nevertheless, headers are sometimes extra environment friendly than exhaust manifolds because of their form.

To scale back the quantity of effort required by the LS3 engine to evacuate exhaust gasses, it’s best to improve your C6 Corvette headers. The extra exhaust fumes could be expelled, the extra energy you’ll have. Moreover, improved exhaust scavenging properties and decreased backpressure are vital to efficiency.

With C6 Corvette headers, every cylinder has its personal main exhaust tube, versus a standard exhaust manifold on manufacturing unit C6 Corvettes that collects exhaust gasses from all the engine’s cylinders and dumps them right into a single collector. That is important for the reason that general effectivity of the headers is strongly influenced by the first tube size and diameter.

C6 Corvette Lengthy-tube vs Brief-tube Headers

Brief-tube (or shorty) vs. long-tube headers are all the time mentioned within the context of headers. The names of the 2 entities are, the truth is, what set them aside. Compared to long-tube headers, the first tubes of C6 shorty headers merge significantly extra shortly right into a collector. For long-tube headers, the other is true.

The LS3 engine’s efficiency is considerably altered by the first tube size distinction between quick and long-tube Corvette headers. Exhaust gasses are launched into the headers in pulses because the LS3 in your C6 Corvette is operating. Additional energy is created at varied factors alongside the facility and torque curves relying on the size of the first tubes. Commonplace shorty C6 headers have a tendency to spice up horsepower and torque within the decrease rev vary by lowering exhaust fuel pulse size. Conversely, the exhaust fuel pulses are longer with long-tube headers, which push horsepower and torque enhancements up the rev vary.

Even though short-tube C6 Corvette headers can present appreciable will increase, long-tube headers are nearly all the time advisable for an LS3 C6 Corvette. So far as high-rpm efficiency is worried, long-tube headers are the best choice. The better movement of short-tube C6 headers over the inventory exhaust manifold is simple, however for most individuals, decrease prices and higher fitment outweigh any efficiency enhancements.

There have been two or 4 catalytic converters within the manufacturing unit C6 Corvette, relying on the mannequin 12 months and the place you bought your automobile. Corvette C6 autos from 2008-2011 featured solely two catalytic converters within the mid-pipe; variations from 2012 and onwards included 4 cats within the mid-pipe. Including extra cats to the exhaust system will inevitably end in a extra restrictive system general. Between the exhaust manifold and X-pipe in manufacturing unit C6 Corvettes, the catalytic converters are put in. In distinction to small tube headers, giant tube headers sometimes necessitate the event of a brand new cat resolution.

Catalytic converters for Corvette efficiency headers are usually obtainable in two configurations. C6 headers can be utilized with or with out catalytic converters, relying in your choice. It’s critical to needless to say being catless is illegal in most states of america. Catless C6 headers and X-pipes are solely appropriate for off-road use due to this. You gained’t be capable to go an emissions take a look at with catless long-tube headers. Catless Corvette headers and X-pipes, alternatively, will present the best efficiency boosts.

C6 long-tube headers with catalytic converters put in are additionally an possibility. Most aftermarket C6 Corvette headers with catted exhaust techniques embrace an X-pipe as commonplace tools. Cats are generally relocated by putting them inside an X-pipe. Corvette headers with excessive movement catted air intakes are preferable to these with out, even when the enhancements aren’t as important. Whereas nonetheless delivering important boosts in horsepower and torque, they’ll preserve your Vette authorized.

Advantages of Upgraded C6 Corvette Headers

Upgrading your C6 Corvette headers can have a major influence on each efficiency and audio high quality. An LS3 header enchancment can have a substantial influence on horsepower and torque output. Relying on the kind of header you select and whether or not or not you run a high-flow or catless possibility, there’s a important distinction in energy good points and the place within the rpm vary the facility is generated. It’s best to count on to see numerous easy advantages from upgrading your C6 Corvette headers:

LS3 Corvette Lengthy-Tube Header Positive factors:

• (Catted) 10-20 hp acquire w/ comparable torque acquire with tune
• (Catless) 20-30 hp acquire w/ comparable torque acquire with tune
• Notable enhance in energy within the mid-high rev vary between 4,500-6,000 rpm
• Lowered backpressure
• Decrease exhaust fuel temperatures
• Higher exhaust scavenging traits
• Improved exhaust sound

LS3 Corvette Brief-Tube Header Positive factors:

• (Catted) 5-15 hp acquire w/ comparable torque acquire
• Notable enhance in energy within the low-mid rev vary between 1,500-3,500 rpm
• Lowered backpressure
• Decrease exhaust fuel temperatures
• Higher exhaust scavenging traits
• Improved exhaust sound

C6 LS3 Corvette Header HP Positive factors

Lengthy-tube C6 headers are the best way to go in case you’re seeking to get probably the most out of your engine. Lengthy-tube headers produce extra energy due to the impact of exhaust scavenging on main tube size and diameter. Since exhaust fuel is pulled out of the cylinder in a rush, most long-tube headers are engineered to work with exhaust fuel pulses to maximise unfavorable strain within the headers. For better efficiency, long-tube headers excel at using this “scavenging” impact.

Header upgrades will help decrease backpressure, which is one other necessary ingredient. Backpressure is created by exhaust system resistance, which could be induced by catalytic converters or outsized piping sizes. By lowering the quantity of resistance that exhaust gases face, C6 headers, each lengthy and quick, can scale back backpressure. Elevated horsepower is the end result.

As a result of long-tube headers are higher at scavenging and reducing again on backpressure, they have an inclination to offer extra efficiency enhancements than shorter headers. Catless long-tube headers are significantly vulnerable to this. Brief-tube headers, alternatively, have their supporters. Putting in muffler covers is a snap, and the result’s a extra pleasing exhaust be aware. Nevertheless, if peak efficiency is the purpose, they aren’t the best choice.

Greatest C6 Corvette Headers

Let’s check out a number of the biggest C6 Corvette header alternate options now available on the market. Many good selections exist for the LS3 C6 Corvette’s headers as a result of they’re so common. There are catless and high-flow catted header selections obtainable. Whereas long-tube headers are the preferred, we’ll throw in a short-tube model as nicely.

C6 Corvette Kooks Headers 1 3/4” With Excessive Circulation Cats

“Kooks” is nearly all the time talked about in C6 Corvette header debates after just a few seconds of scrolling. They’re famous for his or her prime quality and a spotlight to element of their merchandise. For greater than half a century, Kooks has specialised in high-performance heads and exhaust techniques for American motorsports.

Lengthy-Tube headers are included within the Kooks C6 Corvette Lengthy-Tube header set. Included are stainless-steel long-tube headers with 1 3/8″ primaries and an O2 extension and exhaust clamps, in addition to all the mandatory {hardware} for set up. In a nutshell, it consists of every thing you’ll must get began.

Extra main tubes can be found for people who need to change to compelled induction down the highway, reminiscent of 1 7/8″ and a couple of″ main tubes from Kooks. The 1 3/8″ advice relies on the concept a naturally aspirated engine could also be pushed nicely. Massive main tubes could have little to no impact on efficiency if they don’t seem to be powered by an exterior supply of electrical energy.

Texas Pace & Efficiency C6 Corvette 1-⅞” Lengthy-Tube Catless Headers

Since no cats are included, it’s solely appropriate for utilization on the monitor, versus the Kooks C6 Corvette Lengthy-Tube possibility said above. By way of LS and LT1 efficiency components, each Texas Pace and Kooks have a protracted historical past. Their C6 long-tube header set is the proper compromise between excessive efficiency and low value.

The Texas Pace set is near-impenetrable when it comes to supplies and construction. Constructed from 304 stainless-steel and CNC mandrel bent for optimum airflow effectivity, the headers are designed for optimum efficiency. Together with the headers, the package deal consists of an off-road 3″ C6 Corvette X-pipe. Exhaust techniques for C6 Corvettes with headers and X-pipes are among the many most effective and least restrictive available on the market.

Along side an appropriate tune, Texas Pace’s header and X-pipe combo can add as much as 20-25 horsepower. Consequently, you’ll discover an enormous enhance in your skills.

Hooker Blackheart 2005-2013 C6 Corvette Brief-Tube Headers

Clearance points within the engine compartment and beneath the automobile are a significant concern when utilizing long-tube headers. It’s essential to make minor modifications to most large-diameter long-tube Corvette exhaust headers to slot in place of exhaust manifolds. Most often, long-tube headers can even snag on highway irregularities and velocity bumps. Brief-tube headers have these benefits over long-tube headers as a result of they’re easier to put in and extra handy to make use of. The Hooker Blackheart set is a wonderful various in case you’re on the lookout for a C6 short-tube resolution.

The Blackheart short-tubes have a significant benefit when it comes to exhaust velocity, which is sweet information for low- to mid-range energy. The Hooker Blackheart set of C6 headers is constructed from sturdy 304 stainless-steel for prolonged life and superior thermal dynamics. The Blackheart shorty header was designed to function with manufacturing unit {hardware}, one in all its greatest options.

Hooker Blackheart shorties join on to the manufacturing unit catalytic converters, not like long-tube C6 Corvette headers, which necessitate customized cat options. All the important {hardware} for the OEM O2 sensor is included as nicely. As of but, Blackheart shorties are usually not accredited by the California Air Sources Board (CARB). In the event you get Blackheart headers positioned in your C6 Corvette, it’s possible that it’ll go emissions. Hooker, alternatively, advises their use strictly for off-road functions.

LG 05-13 Corvette Tremendous Professional LS3 Lengthy-Tube Headers

Lengthy-tube headers for the C6 Corvette have gotten more and more common, and the LG header package is a good various for these on the lookout for some customization. LG’s Tremendous Professional package is out there in a spread of configurations to fulfill your particular necessities. It’s obtainable with or with out huge 3″ high-flow cats, that are designed to have the least quantity of resistance potential. Moreover, you’ll be able to select between 1 3/8″ or 1 7/8″ main runners, which might swimsuit any present or future upgrades to your C6..

The LG Tremendous Professional package could also be used on each LS2 and LS3 C6 Corvettes, making it a flexible possibility. The LG package comes with a 3″ efficiency X-pipe like a number of the different selections on our checklist. Collectors use a 3″ merging design to maximise their means to scavenge. Some long-tube C6 heads sacrifice low-end torque for prime rpm efficiency. With a view to ship the best general efficiency, the LG package didn’t compromise low-rpm torque.

C6 Corvette Headers Improve Abstract

Including performance-enhancing headers to your C6 LS3 Corvette is a giant and well-publicized improve. The good points in exhaust movement and scavenging over the manufacturing unit C6 exhaust manifold are substantial, and this interprets into greater general efficiency. As a result of C6 Corvette headers have turn into such a well-liked aftermarket merchandise, there are a plethora of variants to select from. The important thing to success is finding the perfect assortment of headers.

The setup of the catalytic converter is a major facet. Despite the fact that catless C6 headers supply the most effective efficiency, there are some drawbacks. Catless headers are just for monitor use and can fail your C6’s emissions take a look at. Lengthy-tube C6 headers with high-flow cats are your greatest wager if you would like probably the most enhancements whereas nonetheless being highway authorized.

The LS neighborhood’s most popular header is a set of long-tube Corvette headers. All of it comes all the way down to the truth that they’re nice at scavenging and reducing again strain. Lengthy-tube headers supply the most effective efficiency within the mid-to-high rpm vary, however they’re costlier and tougher to put in. Despite the fact that shorty LS3 headers aren’t the perfect possibility for energy enhancements, many customers want them due to their fast set up, compatibility with manufacturing unit catalytic converters, improved exhaust tone, and decrease value.