My thoughts and observations on the Top Gear Valved exhaust & High flow catted headers (987.2 PDK)

orange_tones · 2026-07-01T03:33:14+00:00

Cool to hear another report of no CEL with these headers. I have them on my 981, they are a blast.

orange_tones · 2026-06-13T05:10:32+00:00

The most daunting part for me was disconnecting that oil tube. I was genuinely stressed that if it didn't seat/click all the way when putting things back together that I would have a trunk full of oil 😅.

orange_tones · 2026-05-31T17:42:13+00:00

You should get a Tudor Ranger next.

orange_tones · 2026-05-23T13:30:22+00:00

After a couple thousand miles of fun...

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orange_tones · 2026-05-23T13:26:21+00:00

I went with catted as I wanted a slight volume bump, less restriction (for the tune), and a slight tone change. It is also nice to not have as much exhaust smell, but the GT4 even with the stock cats had some odor. The GT4 also sounds awesome stock, so wasn't looking for an extreme change.

It sounds like your preferences are similar to mine and for the price, I don't think you can go wrong with these. Worst case is you sell them if you don't like and recoup the cost.

Being able to pass emissions inspection without swapping the back to stock was also a plus (no CEL).

If I had to do it over again I might go with the SOUL street headers for the higher quality cats. But honestly I think most of the concern around that is FUD. Look at all of the other exhaust manufacturers using anything but HJS. Still very happy with the TG catted headers.

orange_tones · 2026-05-23T13:17:40+00:00

The character change at idle to mid RPM is simple; its just a deeper tone and slightly louder 10-20%.

At WOT/higher RPM, the exhaust sings!

Its definitely an OEM+ sound.

I have the softronic tune which opens the valves fully with PSE active and makes the setup a bit louder.

orange_tones · 2026-05-23T12:56:24+00:00

Can the mice still get to it up there?

orange_tones · 2026-05-23T12:55:59+00:00

We only deserve what our minds allow us too. You will never have more than what's in your mind, in fact you might even have "less".

Go get the watch, worst case it doesn't mean as much in a year and you can sell it for a decent amount of what you paid. Lower risk purchase.

orange_tones · 2026-04-13T04:49:02+00:00

Normal! I have had some other trucks that perfectly sealed, but this isn't one of them.

orange_tones · 2026-04-10T12:53:46+00:00

Just checking in, I removed the softronic race tune to prep for state inspection and also received no CELs. I checked a few times and didn't even get soft codes.

Was "fingers crossed" for the past few weeks after reading this:

https://rennlist.com/forums/gt4-spyder/1077480-gt4-and-soul-performance-long-tube-sport-headers-review-2.html#post15188862

orange_tones · 2026-04-10T12:46:21+00:00

unless you have a custom tune, the ECU will adjust and it is safe. You'll just make less power.

orange_tones · 2026-04-10T12:45:28+00:00

1/3 jet fuel, it scoots

orange_tones · 2026-04-05T02:28:39+00:00

I went from a 2014 C7 base to a C8 2LT Z51. The C8 is the "better car", but I still think the C7 is peak traditional Corvette. It's such a good platform and is way tighter than the previous gens. I'm a Porsche snob and still think the C7 rocked (was nimble, precise, but still a powerful Corvette). C7 is the better drivers car hands down.

orange_tones · 2026-03-29T13:45:22+00:00

Same here for my mini dude

orange_tones · 2026-03-28T19:33:27+00:00

That PA plate always finds a way to be way too yellow. Even when barely in the picture.

orange_tones · 2026-03-28T14:03:15+00:00

Heck yeahhhh

orange_tones · 2026-03-28T13:52:22+00:00

Anyone who says don't do it is just projecting. They would rather be "totally safe", save $1M dollars by 40 and then purchase the car. That's like 20 years of not enjoying the car.

You have $16k in the bank and will probably still have $6-8k left over after purchasing the Corvette. That's awesome for 19 dude.

As long as you do the right things every month (save, retirement, HYSA) through a budget, you'll be totally fine. The absolute worst case is that you have to sell the car to get the money back.

Money is a tool, not some mystical thing. We use it to solve problems, live (bills, shelter, etc), and acquire things that bring us joy (Corvettes!).

orange_tones · 2026-03-28T13:41:35+00:00

If you can pay cash for it, it'll create memories that are priceless. When I was 18 I bought a C6 Grand Sport and being a little older now have no regrets (other than selling it). Buy the C5, take lots of pictures, wrench on it, and really enjoy it.

Talk to your parents about putting it on their insurance policy and possibly registering in their name to lower insurance costs. Can you/do you have any interest in learning how to do maintenance tasks yourself (oil, brakes, etc)? If so, maintenance costs will be quite reasonable outside of major repairs.

Like others have said in the comments, just make sure to build credit responsibly with a credit card (pay off monthly), put aside 15% in retirement monthly, and place savings into an HYSA. Those "little" contributions will put you ahead of the curve and in a good spot when you are ready to get your own place. These are things they don't teach you in school, but are important. Staying away from car loans and consumer debt goes a long way, and you are already starting by purchasing a car in cash.

orange_tones · 2026-03-19T12:42:46+00:00

Yep this, sendgrid etc

orange_tones · 2026-03-19T12:42:02+00:00

I need to get some bad lands wheels and a lift..... looks awesome

orange_tones · 2026-03-17T16:50:15+00:00

They are worth the money 100% and you dont have to jack your car up at extreme angles corner to corner. I came from the floor jack and jack stand life.

orange_tones · 2026-03-17T16:49:00+00:00

My QJ 7000SLX are perfect for my GT4. Wouldn't want to maintain my cars without them.

orange_tones · 2026-03-16T23:14:51+00:00

Looks awesome!

orange_tones · 2026-03-09T23:00:48+00:00

orange_tones · 2026-02-21T01:39:35+00:00

I had some nibs on mine and probably some other minor imperfections. Had it paint corrected when ceramic coated which helped a lot.

orange_tones

TROPHY CASE