When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Are you talking about headers connected to the factory-style sidepipes, or talking about sidemount headers?
Factory side pipes with headers.I have headers now and was wondering if I should go back to stock exhaust with the side pipes that I will be installing.
Last edited by VetteRed1965; Feb 3, 2009 at 08:05 PM.
The losses in sidepipes are from the 1-7/8" inner pipe diameter in the straight section, primarily at WOT at high rpm; that restriction exists regardless of manifolds vs. headers ahead of that pipe section.
Comparing apples to apples ON A DYNO !!!!!, sidemount headers cannot make the power that straight headers can. On the sidemounts there are two extra power robbing bends and the under the frame curves will require smaller diameter collectors than what can be used on straight headers (especially since we are talking of cars low to the ground and not 4 wheel drive trucks).
Those setups that have their collectors outside the car as a general rule have to big of primaries and are to long in length
However real world is different and on the street a 25% smaller collector will outperform the larger one in most circumstances. But then all the gains made by the headers are thrown out when you choke them down with commercial sidepipes.
The key to street exhaust performance is maintaining the high velocity that starts back in a combustion chamber that is to be designed for street performance. There are things you can do to help maintain velocity and although it can never be increased, it can certainly be slowed down by either going to big or to restrictive in any part of the system from the flange to the exhaust tip.
But as far as the sidepipe design of a street header/side-pipe exhaust system, a nice smooth bend has very little effect on it.
The loss in the pipes far outways any possible loss in the manifold.
They do make a header for sidepipes(don't remember the brand) but you wouldn't gain anything performance or sound with them.......
Heddman Headers. They make headers for SB & BB Corvettes.
Stahl will also build you a set of custom tuned equal length headers but they are Very expensive.
Heddman Headers. They make headers for SB & BB Corvettes.
Stahl will also build you a set of custom tuned equal length headers but they are Very expensive.
I just put on a set of McJack manifold/header and it was real easy
to install. No bending pipe to fit and they look sharp.
I have not started her up yet . I am still hot rodding.
Just a option for you OP and...
Good luck