Headers & Hi Flow Cats question
 

So I've been looking around the forum and haven't been able to find the answer I'm looking for. I currently have a 2010 base Z and my current mods are a K&N short CAI, ARK Coilovers and FI catback exhaust with 12" resonator.

I'm not really looking to make my Z stupid fast or extra loud, I have a Busa for that, but I do want a decent sound and a little extra kick. I already have the sound from the catback exhaust, which I love by the way. In the somewhat near future I'll be getting the Stillen Supercharger kit and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't have any issues down the road with my current parts.

So my question is this, would the supercharger kit have any issues with either the stock headers and stock cats. Or would it be more beneficial to keep the stock headers, but install the FI High Flow Cats. Or should I just go with the FI Long Tube Headers?

Again I'm not looking for massive gains from the upgrades, I simply want to make sure everything would jive nicely. As of now I'm starting to lean towards keeping the stock headers and install the FI High Flow Cats. Plus I doubt getting the HFC would reduce the sound of my current exhaust.

Do you guys have any thoughts on which route I should take?

Either the HFCs or LTH's are the way to go. The heat generated from the SC will eventually burn out your existing cats, and both the HFCs and LTH's will flow better. However, a word of warning - the LTH's are a LOT louder.

the FI cats will help eliminate the rasp but doesn't really change the sound

LTH's will make the car louder/deeper

Understandable. So at least get the HFC. Would the Super Charger cause any issue to the stock headers? Or would they be OK?

My Stillen Supercharger burned out my Berk Hi Flow cats in less then two years. I switched to Art Pipes and I have the FI exhaust with 18 in resonators. I have to say the art pipes are not really any louder then the HI flow cats were.

There's nothing in the stock headers to burn out, so your only restriction would be determining whether or not they would flow enough for you. A lot of the guys running Stillen kits are still running stock headers, so I don't see an issue here.

But as Wideglideleon pointed out, HFCs can still end up getting burned out, so maybe your best bet is the LTH's since they eliminate the cat, and if you decide you want/need cats, get them welded in further away where the exhaust gas temperatures have dropped a bit.

That's good to know. Guess I'll end up taking the LTH route. Really don't want to have to deal with cats getting fried then having to spend any more money. Thanks for the info guys.

If you are going to install the LTH's yourself. The right takes about 1 hour to switch out. The left side will take 6 hours, and at some point, you will find God. Your hands will look like you've been playing with razor wire without gloves.

:iagree:

The Japanese have cleverly designed the spaces beside the headers to abrade your hands as you remove them, a blood offering to the Z gods. Based on my experience, it's best to befriend someone who has a lift before taking on that project! Good luck.

I'm lazy and so not trying to go through this, so I this is why I'll be taking it to a shop and have them put it on for me. Won't be looking forward to paying for it, but I do like the ability to point at the car and say fix it if they screw something up.