Hey guys..Some dude I know told me that if I got a new CAI and exhaust without getting headers, then I would be wasting my time and money, saying that it would do absolutely nothing for my performace. Is he right or wrong??

 

Right and wrong......not, not a waste of time/money but the gains from those bolt on's are going to be minimal as compared to if you did the headers too. Think of it this way, will your bathtub drain any quicker because you unleash a fire hose in it vs. the shower head? Right now, your headers are the bottleneck of your intake/exhaust system, slap them on there and unleash the beast!

 

I agree with 04MonteLS. A basic for simple bolt on mods is usually intake, header, and exhaust. Sure, if you only do one you're not getting the full potential but you have to start somewhere. One peice at a time for those of us on a budget.

 

Ok, what type of headers would you recommend for my 07 SS?? Mind you, I am not racing it or anything, just an everyday drive.

 

Anything to help improve flow will help make more power. I mean there are some cars where one part of the system is a major restriction- but I don't think that's really the case with the LS4's. Sure the stock manifold design isn't the best, but I also wouldn't say that its the main thing holding the engine back (partly because the dyno gains from just headers alone weren't all that spectacular). The CAI will add a little- although exhaust won't add much. I was running about the same times at the track with my cutout open- bypassing the mufflers completely.

The only header option you have is Doug Thorley headers (google it)- but they're like $1000.

 

Pretty much the point I made, that the gains from any one bolt on isn't going to be spectacular. Just to clarify, I said the headers were the bottleneck of his intake/exhaust system, not the main thing holding his engine back. Far more mods he can do that will give far higher gains than bolting on a header, but that would require internal engine mods as you know. I mean, he's got a CAI so he's getting more/cooler air in, bypassed the first part of the exhaust system up until this point (no headers) and then has an upgraded exhaust system. Also might want to get a hi flow cat converter too cause the stock one is quite the bottleneck too!

 

In short, the dude is wrong.

 

Ok so all in a nutshell, if I get a CAI, im eventually gonna have to get headers to compensate for the higher amounts of air flow, then a new exhaust perspectively?

 

You don't HAVE to do anything. If you just want a CAI, get yourself a CAI, you don't NEED anything else. However, the more bolt-ons added the bigger the benefit because they will all compliment one another.

For instance, I have a K&N intake, Airaid TBS, and Summit race mufflers. That's it. Everything is very nice and compliments one another. I am in NO need of headers or anything else, but if I did go that direction of course it would help. Honestly if I do anything it's going to be a Hogan catted down pipe.

 

for what your going to spend on the headers i think youd be better off working on an ls1 or ls6 intake and a downpipe and tune. i think the car would make a hell of alot more power with that than it would with headers and a tune. your going to want a tune after the headers regardless.(the price thing is only if you cant talk to thorley and get in on the group buy from ls1 tech. i gotta believe they still have some laying around from that.)