C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

What do headers do?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 01:33 AM
  #1  
SoupNazi's Avatar
SoupNazi
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Warren Oh
Default What do headers do?

What do headers do and where are they located? Sorry for the stupid post.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 01:39 AM
  #2  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: What do headers do? (SoupNazi)

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.

i wish i had a picture to better illustrate it


[Modified by vader86, 12:41 AM 7/7/2002]
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 01:59 AM
  #3  
Lone Ranger's Avatar
Lone Ranger
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Default Re: What do headers do? (SoupNazi)

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.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:03 AM
  #4  
SoupNazi's Avatar
SoupNazi
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Warren Oh
Default Re: What do headers do? (Lone Ranger)

okay, so what does the exhaust manifold and the cat do?
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:04 AM
  #5  
GDP's Avatar
GDP
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Default Re: What do headers do? (SoupNazi)

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


[Modified by GDP, 12:09 AM 7/7/2002]
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:06 AM
  #6  
GDP's Avatar
GDP
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Default Re: What do headers do? (SoupNazi)

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.


[Modified by GDP, 12:08 AM 7/7/2002]
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:07 AM
  #7  
Vette9d1's Avatar
Vette9d1
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood TX
Default Re: What do headers do? (GDP)

Nice pics! Those speak for themselves on the difference. :cool:
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:24 AM
  #8  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: What do headers do? (SoupNazi)

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)
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:37 AM
  #9  
Lone Ranger's Avatar
Lone Ranger
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Default Re: What do headers do? (vader86)

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)?


[Modified by Lone Ranger, 12:38 AM 7/7/2002]
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 02:43 AM
  #10  
GDP's Avatar
GDP
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Default Re: What do headers do? (Lone Ranger)

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]
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 11:43 AM
  #11  
Lone Ranger's Avatar
Lone Ranger
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Default Re: What do headers do? (GDP)

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
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2002 | 01:59 PM
  #12  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: What do headers do? (Lone Ranger)

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.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To What do headers do?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:06 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE