radta7
Viper Owner
Would 02 oem headers fit on a 97 GTS? Would there be a gain over the stock 97 manifolds? Anyone know? Fitment issues?
Thanks!
Thanks!
02 OEM headers on a 97 GTS...
- Thread starter radta7
- Start date
radta7
Viper Owner
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? 
They will fit fine but the flange to the cats is different so if you put the '02 tube exhaust manifolds on your '97 you have to either:
1) use the cats from the 2002
or
2) cut the cats on your '97 cats and do some custom fitting.
The 2002 exhaust manifolds are tube stainless that first appeared on the Viper in 1998 and are 23 pounds lighter than the cast iron manifolds of '97 and earlier Vipers.
The 2002 tube headers will cause your '97 to move more air for a bit more power (esp at higher rpms with that '97 cam)
1) use the cats from the 2002
or
2) cut the cats on your '97 cats and do some custom fitting.
The 2002 exhaust manifolds are tube stainless that first appeared on the Viper in 1998 and are 23 pounds lighter than the cast iron manifolds of '97 and earlier Vipers.
The 2002 tube headers will cause your '97 to move more air for a bit more power (esp at higher rpms with that '97 cam)
GTS Bruce
Enthusiast
After you see the bent,squashed,severly dented oem headers you won't bother.You'll just end up getting real headers anyway.Check with Jon B or various turners.They often have take off real headers not just oem type. Bruce
Ron
Enthusiast
GENII's had cast iron manifolds in 1996 & 1997.
As Marv states, in 1998 ~ 2002 Dodge went with 23lbs lighter (combined) stainless tubular manifolds.
They require not only the 1998 ~ 2002 turn pipe / cat combo, but new (shorter) manifold bolts and studs along with 1998 ~ 2002 heat sheilds and new style gaskets.
I made the switch (too cheap to pay for headers) and found that yes they are indeed 23lbs. lighter. Beyond that, a waste of time and effort.
The newer manifolds increased the side sill temps as the cast manifolds acted as a heat sink. Was the reason why Dodge went with them, quicker cat light off on cold start.
They added zero horsepower. I dyno'd SAE corrected, same dyno, 435.1 RWHP with original and 434.9 RWHP with the new style. If you were to closely examine the cast and tube manifolds, you would suspect that the cast actually flow better given the sharp bends and frame clearance dents in the tubes as Bruce mentioned above. I have plenty of pictures available if anyone cares.
Save your time and money and stay stock, or if you have the mod itch do it right and step up to real headers.
As Marv states, in 1998 ~ 2002 Dodge went with 23lbs lighter (combined) stainless tubular manifolds.
They require not only the 1998 ~ 2002 turn pipe / cat combo, but new (shorter) manifold bolts and studs along with 1998 ~ 2002 heat sheilds and new style gaskets.
I made the switch (too cheap to pay for headers) and found that yes they are indeed 23lbs. lighter. Beyond that, a waste of time and effort.
The newer manifolds increased the side sill temps as the cast manifolds acted as a heat sink. Was the reason why Dodge went with them, quicker cat light off on cold start.
They added zero horsepower. I dyno'd SAE corrected, same dyno, 435.1 RWHP with original and 434.9 RWHP with the new style. If you were to closely examine the cast and tube manifolds, you would suspect that the cast actually flow better given the sharp bends and frame clearance dents in the tubes as Bruce mentioned above. I have plenty of pictures available if anyone cares.
Save your time and money and stay stock, or if you have the mod itch do it right and step up to real headers.
radta7
Viper Owner
Thanks a ton Ron! That helped. I appreciate the info and will stay clear of them.
BlueGTS
Viper Owner
Ron, great info as I heard from a vendor that the 98+ will add half the HP of a true headers. I guess it is not worth the time, so I will not spend it.
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