Headers in 2020

**Jonnyboy** · 08-12-2020

Purchasing headers for my 2005 Base Grandprix and saw the options the community has done write ups on. Wanted to buy speed daddy headers but they have lost quality the last few years apparently so from all the rest I found slp still sells a set for 700$ and the zzp headers are currently out of stock. Found these and I guess they are no name brand for 230$. I'm willing to wait and save up a lil more for the SLP and the installation. But if these other are decent, just wanted to ask what you guys think. Found them in CA autoparts. I know all 01-03 headers for 04+.

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**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 08-12-2020

Those look exactly like speed daddys to me. Probably come from the same factory overseas.

**SgtMarshal** · 08-12-2020

if it's a base model why even bother? unless you are going to do a top swap at some point, headers won't make any difference on a naturally aspirated engine.

**GTPpower** · 08-13-2020

Those are trash.

So are SLP's in my opinion.

**04lss** · 08-13-2020

Ive run speed daddies , but that was about 5 years ago . The DP that they come with also drags a lot lower than the factory DP, drags on speed bumps sometimes.

**Jonnyboy** · 08-13-2020

The dragging would definitely be a problem for me since my car is dropped with coilovers. Willing to lift it tho. So if these are bad and so are the SLP is my only choice to try and dig for zzp headers. Yes it's a N/A engine so I understand it won't big a huge HP gain right now. But it should still help the engine and definitely would be open to do a top swap in the future. I mean I've been saving up to keep putting money into this car. Got bc racing coilovers, replaced old exhaust pipe , got high flow cat with flowmaster exhaust new rims and tires, front and rear strut bars, new aftermarket headlights and taillights, CAI, just trying to go down the list. Thought headers would be a next great step.

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**GTPpower** · 08-14-2020

Headers do basically nothing on these cars. I would save up for a top swap and e85.

**04lss** · 08-14-2020

Unless youre planning to shoot for the moon in terms of power, just get the zzp power log. It looks like, has good flow and now clearance issues. Combine it with their DP and your engine has all the flow it needs for a long time. Going the full header route wont do anything for you performance wise,it may even hurt you in terms of low end torque due to the loss of back pressure.

**04lss** · 08-14-2020

Originally Posted by 04lss

Unless youre planning to shoot for the moon in terms of power, just get the zzp power log. It looks like, has good flow and now clearance issues. Combine it with their DP and your engine has all the flow it needs for a long time. Going the full header route wont do anything for you performance wise,it may even hurt you in terms of low end torque due to the loss of back pressure.

meant to say it looks nice*
Im running a 2.9 pulley with e85 and an IC on one currently.

**ThatOldCarSmell** · 08-14-2020

Originally Posted by 04lss

meant to say it looks nice*
Im running a 2.9 pulley with e85 and an IC on one currently.

I also have been weighing the exhaust management options, and I was contemplating just doing the front plog since I already have the 3" in/ 2.5" out DP. Can I ask how much power you're pushing with your setup, if you've dynoed?

**digitalgpbandit** · 08-14-2020

About every set of headers they offer for these cars have some kind of imperfection or other some more than others.

I can speak for the SLP's myself, they aren't trash they are made of stainless steel & have good fitment, but they do have their issues. First thing is you do need to lower the back side of the cradle to install rear header. Secondly the coating doesn't last on them. Some have opted to have them recoated before install, some have just left them which after time they'll become dull looking and lose some thermal insulation (due to lack of coating). Third and the biggest issue with the SLPs is the flex pipe will develop a ticking noise not long after the headers are broken in. Most just wrapped the flexpipe with header wrap while others opted to have a new flex section installed with mixed results. I've been running mine for over 14 years and other than what I mentioned above they have held up well.

**04lss** · 08-14-2020

Originally Posted by ThatOldCarSmell

I also have been weighing the exhaust management options, and I was contemplating just doing the front plog since I already have the 3" in/ 2.5" out DP. Can I ask how much power you're pushing with your setup, if you've dynoed?

I havent dyno'd but it feels like somewhere around 300 to the wheels. I can tell you the install is way easier than headers, and it improved performance when installed.

**Jonnyboy** · 08-15-2020

Originally Posted by 04lss

Unless youre planning to shoot for the moon in terms of power, just get the zzp power log. It looks like, has good flow and now clearance issues. Combine it with their DP and your engine has all the flow it needs for a long time. Going the full header route wont do anything for you performance wise,it may even hurt you in terms of low end torque due to the loss of back pressure.

So no headers for now just going with the zzp power log and zzp downpipe. There was also a rear power log and I'm guessing I'ma need to buy that one too ofcourse. Also want to improve the handling so buying sway bars as well.

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**GTPpower** · 08-15-2020

You could probably top swap it for that amount.

**Jonnyboy** · 08-16-2020

Will look into that first then to see if I'm able to get the parts at around the same price. Really wished there were top swap kits still being sold. Specifically for the L26

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**Jonnyboy** · 08-17-2020

Going down the rabbit hole for the top swap and all those threads, as an N/A guy in California. Honestly it's looking like many straight up recommend the turbo route over top swap. After the turbo though then comes the fact that a 4k-5k transmission is inevitable. The Z3 turbo is looking like my new goal, and learning some tuning basics. Rollercoaster ride tbh lol.

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**BrandonHall10** · 08-17-2020

Originally Posted by Jonnyboy

...as an N/A guy in California...

Oooh. You're going to want to do a deep dive into what is allowed in your jurisdiction and what potential hoops you might need to jump through.

**GTPpower** · 08-17-2020

I don't think any turbo kits are carb certified. I would think top swapping would be fine since it's all gm parts that were sold in California. Maybe I'm wrong though.

But yes, turbo is going to be way more expensive, but lots of fun.

**04lss** · 08-17-2020

As someone who is taking the m90 to the Nth degree, i can tell you that the zzp z3 turbo kit is much cheaper and with an inter cooler off a junkyard turbo car you'll make a good amount more power . Granted thats Cammed, e85, intercooled , methanol injectected m90 , vs basically a 91 turbo kit. Ill probably have over 5k in my SC by the time im done. ZZP kit (if legal ) is 2400 bucks, 3000 if you get the full downpipe and new injectors .

**04lss** · 08-17-2020

Originally Posted by 04lss

As someone who is taking the m90 to the Nth degree, i can tell you that the zzp z3 turbo kit is much cheaper and with an inter cooler off a junkyard turbo car you'll make a good amount more power . Granted thats Cammed, e85, intercooled , methanol injectected m90 , vs basically a 91 turbo kit. Ill probably have over 5k in my SC by the time im done. ZZP kit (if legal ) is 2400 bucks, 3000 if you get the full downpipe and new injectors .

I should specify that building an m90 to make power is more expensive, a top swap can be done with junkyard parts mostly.