As promised in an earlier thread, i have contacted some of the major tuners regarding their experience and recommendations for headers on the '02 Z06. In general, to this point, I found there is very little information and no "before/after" tests that have been done by the folks i talked to.
Specifics by vendor:
KATECH: No headers offered as a separate component to purchase for street use - no recommendations, no before/after testing on otherwise stock cars of any year.
MTI: Recommends TPIS in general, but has no before/after testing on the 02 Z06, so cannot state whether this mod would show any improvement. BTW, for those interested in their underdrive pulley, it is backordered for about 6 weeks and in the words of MTI "it is a bitch to install but will make at least 5 more real rear wheel h/p"
Vette Doctors: Recommends TPIS in general, but has no before/after testing on the stock 02 Z06, so cannot state whether this mod would show any improvement. Has data showing consistent 15/20 h/p gains on the 01 with TPIS.
LPE: Uses their own design headers but has no before/after testing on the stock 02 Z06. Questions whether headers would have any worthwhile measureable gains with the '02 system - will be modifying their first '02 Z06s very soon.
DRM: Still trying to get info..
So there you have it - it's too early to say what, if any benefit '02 owners will get from headers - at least as far as the parties above are concerned.
Originally, I was assuming that this was a definite mod I wanted to do early next Spring - now, unless I see substantial, repeatable test results showing gains, headers are off of my list. it will be interesting to see, what if anything new the FLP and BPP headers bring to the table.
Specifics by vendor:
KATECH: No headers offered as a separate component to purchase for street use - no recommendations, no before/after testing on otherwise stock cars of any year.
MTI: Recommends TPIS in general, but has no before/after testing on the 02 Z06, so cannot state whether this mod would show any improvement. BTW, for those interested in their underdrive pulley, it is backordered for about 6 weeks and in the words of MTI "it is a bitch to install but will make at least 5 more real rear wheel h/p"
Vette Doctors: Recommends TPIS in general, but has no before/after testing on the stock 02 Z06, so cannot state whether this mod would show any improvement. Has data showing consistent 15/20 h/p gains on the 01 with TPIS.
LPE: Uses their own design headers but has no before/after testing on the stock 02 Z06. Questions whether headers would have any worthwhile measureable gains with the '02 system - will be modifying their first '02 Z06s very soon.
DRM: Still trying to get info..
So there you have it - it's too early to say what, if any benefit '02 owners will get from headers - at least as far as the parties above are concerned.
Originally, I was assuming that this was a definite mod I wanted to do early next Spring - now, unless I see substantial, repeatable test results showing gains, headers are off of my list. it will be interesting to see, what if anything new the FLP and BPP headers bring to the table.