Header advice for a Corsa cat back

[Scuderia47]

I have a 99 GTS with high flow cats and a Corsa cat back exhaust with stock headers. Otherwise, the rest of the car is stock.

I'm thinking about putting on aftermarket headers, not for performance gains or for any reason in particular, but just to give me something to do.

A couple of questions:

1. Does the exhaust note/volume change significantly by adding headers to a HF cat + Corsa cat back?

2. What kind of headers would you guys recommend?

3. Is adding headers even worthwhile? (I think the car sounds great as is, but I wouldn't mind it louder)

Appreciate the advice.
Bill

[SNKEBIT]

They will increase sound some, not a lot. Mild steel type will add more lower note.

M&M's rock!!!!!!!!!!!! I have some for sale.

[GTS Dean]

One thing to consider is the relative inaccessibility of some flange bolts. Primary tube size and inner bend radius can make some of the lower bolts are REAL bitch to get at.

[Martyb]

They will increase sound some, not a lot. Mild steel type will add more lower note.

M&M's rock!!!!!!!!!!!! I have some for sale.

I had MM with CORSA on my 01 GTS, was told many times it was one of the best sounding Vipers. I also had a 708 cam and 1.7 rockers so it loped a bit. Full throttle was louder with the headers, part throttle and under not much different. The headers were perfect and easy to install. Like Dean said a few of the lower bolts can be a bit of a challenge, nothing a few beers won’t cure. I say call Mitch and get a set, you won’t be disappointed! MM customer service is top notch as well.

[RT SERPENT]

M&M. Call SNKEBIT (Mitch):t1236:

[LifeIsGood]

Belanger (http://belangerheaders.com/) is a popular choice for viper headers.

[Red Kaos]

I have Belangers on my ’02 GTS. They are hooked to hi-flow cats and Corsa exhaust. I did a lot of research before I decided to purchase the Belangers. There is a negligible gain in HP; however, my Belangers added a deeper sound at WOT. Additionally, IMO, I think they look great with the heatshields removed. Note, I added AB Wires (hi-temp sparkplug wires) and DEI heat socks. BTW I had a ’97 BW for eight years. Same set up, less the headers. I just didn’t think it was worth the cost; besides the ’97 had its own personality with the lumpy cam. Good luck with your choice.
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[C5Longhorn]

I always thought there was a decent hp gain with headers.

[99RT10]

I always thought there was a decent hp gain with headers.

depends on the year. But typically 20-30 RWHP

[darryl in pcb]

Marty, not wanting to hijack this thread but I'm presuming that you swapped the creampuff cam for the 708. Was there a noticeable improvement in power and was it worth the effort? It seems to me that the 708 with the creampuff rotating assembly would be a good combination.

[darryl in pcb]

I have Belangers on my ’02 GTS. They are hooked to hi-flow cats and Corsa exhaust. I did a lot of research before I decided to purchase the Belangers. There is a negligible gain in HP; however, my Belangers added a deeper sound at WOT. Additionally, IMO, I think they look great with the heatshields removed. Note, I added AB Wires (hi-temp sparkplug wires) and DEI heat socks. BTW I had a ’97 BW for eight years. Same set up, less the headers. I just didn’t think it was worth the cost; besides the ’97 had its own personality with the lumpy cam. Good luck with your choice.
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Looks good under the hood! How much difference in weight is there with the Belanger setup vs the stock headers and mid pipe?

[99RT10]

Looks good under the hood! How much difference in weight is there with the Belanger setup vs the stock headers and mid pipe?

The weight difference is minimal, but maybe 5-10 lbs. Are you in Panama City Beach? I get down there once in a while in the Viper going to Pier Park.

[Martyb]

Marty, not wanting to hijack this thread but I'm presuming that you swapped the creampuff cam for the 708. Was there a noticeable improvement in power and was it worth the effort? It seems to me that the 708 with the creampuff rotating assembly would be a good combination.

I didn’t do a before and after dyno, but my car with headers, exhaust, 708 cam and roller rockers put down 475 rwhp. Many told me to get a bigger better cam than the 708, but I didn’t want to lose drivability. I was happy with my outcome. I think the only major difference in the cream puff cam and the 708 is the overlap, so I don’t really know if that would account for many hp. Car ran strong for what it was.

[darryl in pcb]

The weight difference is not important, but maybe 5-10 lbs. Are you in Panama City Beach? I get down there once in a while in the Viper going to Pier Park.
I figured it was a few pounds lighter, it always pays to shed weight if you can. Yes, I'm in PCB. I live about 15 minutes from Pier Park. I have a red rt/10. I recall seeing a BW 2 or 3 years ago at Pier Park. Perhaps that was you.

- - - Updated - - -


I didn’t do a before and after dyno, but my car with headers, exhaust, 708 cam and roller rockers put down 475 rwhp. Many told me to get a bigger better cam than the 708, but I didn’t want to lose drivability. I was happy with my outcome. I think the only major difference in the cream puff cam and the 708 is the overlap, so I don’t really know if that would account for many hp. Car ran strong for what it was.

Thanks, Marty.

[99RT10]

I didn’t do a before and after dyno, but my car with headers, exhaust, 708 cam and roller rockers put down 475 rwhp. Many told me to get a bigger better cam than the 708, but I didn’t want to lose drivability. I was happy with my outcome. I think the only major difference in the cream puff cam and the 708 is the overlap, so I don’t really know if that would account for many hp. Car ran strong for what it was.

And just to be clear, no heads correct? I would guess with a bigger camshaft(maybe a Roe 710) and a Good set of ported heads, it would be close to 560-580 RWHP.

[darryl in pcb]

And just to be clear, no heads correct? I would guess with a bigger camshaft(maybe a Roe 710) and a Good set of ported heads, it would be close to 560-580 RWHP.

99rt10, if I was to do heads and cam later on, who in this area could do the installation and tuning?

[BK99GTS]

I have Belanger headers and cat back with 3" exhaust all the way. Headers were easy to install. The cat back was too loud for me and sounded tinny. Almost sport bike like. I installed additional dynomax race mufflers in the side sills and now sounds much more mellow and deeper note. Not sure about the Corsa mufflers, but do not think adding headers will have any significant impact on sound.
https://youtu.be/T5auatTYo94See video.

[Martyb]

And just to be clear, no heads correct? I would guess with a bigger camshaft(maybe a Roe 710) and a Good set of ported heads, it would be close to 560-580 RWHP.

Stock heads other than the rockers Mike.

[Dan Cragin]

On a 99 headers should add about 20hp. They work well with that production 708 cam your car has.

Only 2 headers were emissions legal back in the day, Edelbrock and Borla. They are both no longer in production.

There were multiple companies making headers for these back in the day, but currently Belanger, ARH and M&M still make them.

Tri-Y designs ran cooler and made more midrange power. Merge headers made more top end.

[dave6666]

Going from Gen 2 rear exhaust to a Gen 2 side exhaust conversion is about 40 pounds lighter. For anyone watching their weight.

[darryl in pcb]

So the positives to headers are an approximate 20 hp gain, a slight reduction in weight, reduced temps and a deeper sound. What about the negatives? Are some brands more prone to leaking than others? Will they actually produce more power without a tune?

[Scuderia47]

Thank you all for the input!
Bill

[Steve-Indy]

Whatever headers you pick...shield wires, connectors, hoses, boots since they will likely be more vulnerable to the heat...especially, if when header coatings fail. Numerous posts here (and elsewhere) will fill in the details. Followup component inspections are highly recommended.

[Red Kaos]

Scuderia47 (and Darryl), lots of good info above from the members/owners, and longtime owners like 99RT10 (Mike; who I know personally), Steve-Indy, and trusted Viper vendor Dan Cragin. Just a couple of notes...I selected the Belangers because I liked the look, the quality, ease of fitment, and sound. My second choice was M&Ms. IRT my '02, there is no drone. Corsa claims the X-pipe results in little to no drone. However, there was a drone with my '97BW around 2200 RPM. I don't know why. Nevertheless, both Vipers seemed to have their own personality. The '97 had that great sounding, lumpy, 708 cam that really appealed to me. And, the '02 sounds great at WOT with the Belangers. The photos below are an update, as of today, reflecting my new AB Wires and heat sock. Please keep us posted.
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[Camfab]

A bit of miss information here. Simply comparing your exact set up as stated to one with the addition of headers vs. stock headers, you will gain weight. Likely in the 10-15lb range depending on which brand you choose.

[Ricketts]

B&B here with Corsa and love it. I just checked their site and they still offer them.