Will doing just headers (stock exhaust otherwise) make it louder from the tailpipe or by the engine area? Or no additional noise, what do you think?

 

minutely. How many headers are you gonna run?

 

pet peeve. we have ONE HEADER! and no, it most likely will not make it louder, as least nothing noticeable. if you change the cat converter out then yes but not a whole lot louder. header alone depending on brand will make your exhaust valves audible...(plm) you have to listen for them but you can hear them.

 

I also doubt you will see more than 1 or 2 hp gain throughout the range either.

 

It won't make the exhaust louder or anything, but you may notice that you can hear your valve train more. Not worth it imo if you are keeping the OEM exhaust. The best bang for the buck would be get a test pipe. I put one when I had my stock exhaust/header, and it changed the sound a little bit but sounded great. Also might have gained a pony or 2.

 

There are better ways to spend your money on this car.

 

I agree. It's not the answer to your question, but for the cost of a decent header, you can get a mild exhaust that gives you great sound, exterior looks, and better chances of more power.

 

Sound really only comes from the open holes - intake or exhaust.

 

TP are not worth it. Get an intake if you want a nicer sound WOT. TP = ghetto - minute sound difference, plus CELs, smoke, stink, and chance of fines if caught.