how important are headers?

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Oct 31, 2002 | 09:15 AM

#21

Edzred72

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 5,943

Likes: 3

From: Wildwood IL

Re: how important are headers? (TJRed76)

IMHO...Headers releived all the exhaust headaches I had. I can work on the engine's lower end without taking the exhaust apart.. I can remove them from the heads in 1/3 the time it takes than those rusty cast iron boat anchors. They also were a breeze to install. For sound, performance, and looks.............DO IT!!!!!
Eddie

Oct 31, 2002 | 09:41 AM

#22

DJ Dep

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 5,714

Likes: 6

From: Silver City NM

St. Jude Donor '05-'07

Re: how important are headers? (Chris O')

Well I just put headers on my Chevy Cavalier 4-cylinder and it went up to 600 RWHP.
Then I woke up and it was time to go to work :D

Forgive me for doubting you, but who was running the dyno that gave a 72 horsepower increase with the addition of only headers? The guy from Fantasy Island?
I guarantee you the header manufacturer will refund 100% of the cash you paid for those headers if you will prove that gain to him and sign a notarized testimonial to that effect. But THEY are gonna want to supervise the dyno test.

Dyno gains are often misleading and most of them occur at VERY high RPM.
A lot higher than the normal RPM that street-driven cars drive at.
So saying "I got a gazillion horsepower increase" doesn't really mean squat when it comes in at 6000 and above RPM.

Dep

Oct 31, 2002 | 10:23 AM

#23

Markm10431

Parrothead

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 48,231

Likes: 289

From: Margaritaville Embassy

St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14

Re: how important are headers? (TJRed76)

Which makes it easier to do routine maintenence, (Changing plugs, ect?) do the headers get in the way more or less than the manifolds?

Oct 31, 2002 | 10:54 AM

#24

Torcher

Racer

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 344

Likes: 0

From: Jasper, GA

Re: how important are headers? (Silvr77)

Quote:

than those rusty cast iron boat anchors.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have also used both...Rams horns and Headers. I had them on a 1980 with 2 chamber flowmasters.... all I can say is..."what did you say"... They were VERY loud! But oh what a sound...I set off more car alarms with that set up.... :lol: :lol: :lol: .... as far as HP increases... I never dynoed it.. and there was no "seat of my pants increase" either. It did run cooler and smoother however. As someone else said... the exhaust is only as loud as the mufflers you use... I replaced the Flowmasters with stock style turbos and it sounded great without making me deaf or having to listen to all the resonance involved. I like loud... but only at certain times... I also like listening to some great tunes.... so I opted for a little less "sound" from the exhaust. You will not lose or gain anything with headers on a very mildly modified engine other than exhaust note and a better breathing engine....maybe a slight gain in HP (not noticable) and MAYBE gas mileage..maybe! The headers do clean up the engine bay a bit.. my opinion of course..I like them, and will replace my stock manifolds on my 75 vert very soon! ..... YMMV... :cheers:

Oct 31, 2002 | 11:08 AM

#25

Tom73

Race Director

Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 15,136

Likes: 477

From: NM

Re: how important are headers? (TJRed76)

Quote:

...and don't intend on racing. All I want to do is spin the tires once in a while and cruise down the highway.

If you were going to be racing then I would say go with the headers as they do add alot of HP. But for non-racing/street driving, I would say stay away from headers as they can be a real pain with exhaust leaks, rust, heat, etc, etc.

Clean and paint your stock exhaust manifolds. They should be all you need for the street.

tom...

Oct 31, 2002 | 11:42 AM

#26

fontking1a

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 803

Likes: 0

From: South San Francisco CA

Re: how important are headers? (Burgandy 69)

Everything starts to leak and becomes a headache over time.....

Oct 31, 2002 | 01:42 PM

#27

69stingray

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 1,146

Likes: 0

From: Milford NH

Re: how important are headers? (TJRed76)

You can also have your stock headers go through the Extrude Hone process...it is like porting. Don't know anyone who has done it. Only read about it.

http://www.extrudehone.com/automotiveaftr.html