Are long tube headers on a bone stock 5.3 a waste?

[Steve Cole]

Like the title says, aside from maybe a cold air intake, is it pointless to run long tube headers on a stock engine? If the Camaro exhaust manifolds are good to 450 HP, are any gains to be had from the headers?

Thanks!

[Clyde65]

I think you answered your own question! Why through money at something that isn't needed and improve driveability etc. just my opinion.

[indymachinist]

Of course there are gains to be had. Just because something is "good to xxx hp" does not mean it is the best.

[Steve Cole]

I knew there would be differing opinions! Let's hear some more!

[Ghost's68]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7_lSU3D0jw

Check out the vid. Pretty interesting info with actual data to back it up.

[Ghost's68]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7_lSU3D0jw

Check out the vid. Pretty interesting info with actual data to back it up.

[mongocanfly]

i went with headers more for looks than power...very little difference in todays LS engines between the two...here's the clickable link...https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7_lSU3D0jw

[indymachinist]

Good video. They make some good points like how long tubes really come alive with a cam swap.

I would anticipate the hooker cast manifolds are *slightly* better than the average truck/tbss manifolds. Probably not more than a few (less than 5) hp though.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

If the Camaro exhaust manifolds are good to 450 HP, are any gains to be had from the headers?

About a week after you make ~450hp, you'll want 451hp, and then be mad you have to buy exhaust stuff again Thus has been my experience.

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

About a week after you make ~450hp, you'll want 451hp, and then be mad you have to buy exhaust stuff again Thus has been my experience.

It took you a week?

[whtgmc68]

I put a set of long tubes, cold air intake and a programmer on a 2001 Z71 with a 5.3 and they definitely helped the truck make more power. I was running 285/75/16's and they made it feel stronger than it did when it had the stock tires on it. The headers also made it sound awesome with high flow cats and a Magnaflow muffler.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

It took you a week?

One of the guys at the engine shop told me he's met guys like me and it won't end until I'm running a top fuel car.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by NC_John

One of the guys at the engine shop told me he's met guys like me and it won't end until I'm running a top fuel car.

I can testify to that!

[OutlawDrifter]

Long tubes will make more power across the board over factory cast manifolds. **You must get the ECU tuned to pull all of the benefits.** A 5.3l doesn't require giant primaries either.

A good tuner will pull some great power with just the ECU tune alone, my 2500HD runs like a scalded dog with all the GM mandated neutering removed.

[Steve Cole]

I have googled this engine (LM7) and it looks like it is about 285 HP in stock configuration. What would it take to be in the 400HP range? I'm guessing a mild cam, full length headers, cold air intake, and a tune. How about mid-length headers instead? What can I expect with the above and mid length headers?
Thoughts? Comments?

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

I have googled this engine (LM7) and it looks like it is about 285 HP in stock configuration. What would it take to be in the 400HP range? I'm guessing a mild cam, full length headers, cold air intake, and a tune. How about mid-length headers instead? What can I expect with the above and mid length headers?
Thoughts? Comments?

Remember, 285 is net HP at the crank. Do you want 400 at the crank or 400 at the wheels? Two very different numbers. A cam and headers will get you 400 crank HP easy.

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

I have googled this engine (LM7) and it looks like it is about 285 HP in stock configuration. What would it take to be in the 400HP range? I'm guessing a mild cam, full length headers, cold air intake, and a tune. How about mid-length headers instead? What can I expect with the above and mid length headers?
Thoughts? Comments?

Lol. You have learned NOTHING from me! Stop it. Take a big step back. You are going to open the same door I went though. Remember- my $20K engine started with a "cam only LQ4."

Come over and look at my build spreadsheet. We need to either scare you straight or make sure you know what you are getting into. If my wife found that one excel page i made and took it to court in a divorce hearing the judge would give her everything.

[joesscamaro]

I put American Racing long tube headers on my bone stock (at the time) '00 SS Camaro and had it dynod before and after and saw a 17 hp gain. Headers will definitely make a difference.

[Willie Makeit]

leave the cold air intake to the kids in hondas. normally what happens is just the opposite of what it's sold as, the IAT's (intake air temperatures) actually go UP with the biggest majority of CAI's sold. cam & headers with the proper tune will definitely wake up a bone stock engine.