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headers are the things that carry the exhaust gases from the engine to the cats, theyre directly mated to the heads
exhaust manifolds come on vettes, same principle, but full headers are bigger pipes that allow the engine to get the exhaust gases out and make more hp.
They improve exhaust flow out of the engine so more air can be taken in. You can only let in as much air as you let out, when not turbo'd or supercharged. More air = more power. So headers letting more air in = more power. Usually about a 10 - 20hp gain at the crankshaft if used in combo with an improved air intake and less restrictive mufflers or new cat-back exhaust system.
Okay, this is what headers look like on an engine:
This is what an engine without headers (stock exhaust manifold) looks like:
Okay, let me break it down to ya like this, the more air that goes into an engine, the more power it makes. This air must eventually leave the engine in the form of exhaust. Now, if you put LOTS of air into an engine but have regular exhaust manifolds, then that air can't get out efficiently, thus a loss of horsepower. Think of it like this, get a straw and take a deep breath. Now blow that breath through the straw. Now take another deep breath and open your mouth as wide as you can and breath out again. It's easier, right? That's the same principle that headers work on. :D
Exhaust manifold is what comes on the engine stock. The bottom picture shows the exhaust manifold on the engine. The top picture shows the headers on the engine. The catalytic converter allows the car to run more efficiently on unleaded gas (other than that I don't know exactly HOW they work, but they do :jester ). Also lets out less pollution. The catalytic converter (cat) usually comes soon after the headers or exhaust manifold turn into the pipes.
The stock manifolds are kinda restrictive, especially on L98 vettes. The LT1 has much better ones. Theyre the same function as headers, just dont do the job near as well.
Cats remove certain gases and reduce total amounts of noxious gases from the exhaust. There's a honeycomb-like material in there that reacts with them and turns them to something else. An EGR system is connected to the cat and sends some of the exhaust BACK into the engine to make sure that any extra fuel or oxygen is burned up. (EGR=Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
The stock manifolds are kinda restrictive, especially on L98 vettes. The LT1 has much better ones. Theyre the same function as headers, just dont do the job near as well.
So should I save my money and keep my LT1's stock manifolds and put on something like a Corsa Catback system, or go with a set of SLP Power-Flo 4-into-1 Shorties and keep my stock cat-back and just swap out the mufflers only (Magnaflows)?
Shorties? Pff, get equal length longtubes and a catback system. Shorties aren't good for the horsepower you would think. They're just like an extended stock exhaust manifold.
Shorties? Pff, get equal length longtubes and a catback system. Shorties aren't good for the horsepower you would think. They're just like an extended stock exhaust manifold.
[Modified by GDP, 12:44 AM 7/7/2002]
But aren't long tubes a bear to get O2 sensors and cats fitted onto? I want to keep my car environmentally friendly but make it faster also :D
I know some companies make full headers with 02 sensor fittings, and i think AIR pump fittings. I believe Scorp's Hookers are the ones with the fittings, but i'm unsure whether Hooker makes one for the LT1 with the fittings.
I think you should save your money, research this header thing well before you go buy some shortys. You could go ahead and get the Corsas though.