Header Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: san mateo california
Header Question
I am considering buying headers, but i need some advice.
My car is stock except for bb bullet exhaust
Which headers are the best performance wise?
What is the difference between the 1 3/4 and the 1 7/8 size?
If i run them without cats, will it be extremely loud
i appreciate any advice, thanks in advance
My car is stock except for bb bullet exhaust
Which headers are the best performance wise?
What is the difference between the 1 3/4 and the 1 7/8 size?
If i run them without cats, will it be extremely loud
i appreciate any advice, thanks in advance
Last edited by GA8967; Aug 17, 2007 at 07:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Which are best header threads usually end up with little or no technical information, lots of cheerleading for the ones everyone has installed on their own car and the original poster being totally confused by the whole mess. I would do a search and some reading. Also, without cats your car will smell more from behind. The cats don't decrease the hp gained by a great deal, to me not worth the smell. Some headers systems also have larger cats installed to minimize the decrease, something worth noting. I would highly recommend a stainless system front to back though.
In the meantime, here is an article on headers that I feel is worth reading:
Jack Burns Header Design
In the meantime, here is an article on headers that I feel is worth reading:
Jack Burns Header Design
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
I like the LG and the American Racing headers. I went with the LG because I got a great deal on them.
I searched for weeks reading everything I could and those were my top choices. I looked for ease of installation and which ones gave the most performance. Price wasn't much of a factor since both of the above systems are similarly priced.
Ricky
I searched for weeks reading everything I could and those were my top choices. I looked for ease of installation and which ones gave the most performance. Price wasn't much of a factor since both of the above systems are similarly priced.
Ricky
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
American Racing headers with high flow cats are currently quite popular because of price, performance, fit , sound and looks.
If you engine is stock displacement stick with the smaller size or you will lose torque.
If you engine is stock displacement stick with the smaller size or you will lose torque.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Also no cats and you will NOT be able to pass a San Mateo County smog test. Removing the cats is illegal here in the Granola State. Any exhaust modifications (legally) have to been certified by the Calif. Air Resources Board (CARB). Vendors selling a "legal" exhaust system modification should provide a CARB "sticker" for you to show the smog inspector that your mod is legal. If the inspector sees a modification and you cannot show that it is CARB certifid, you fail the inspection until you bring the car into compliance (return to stock or install CARB certified parts).
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: san mateo california
smog is not a concern for me because i just passed smog.
Thanks for the advice everyone, ive been researching, and iam thinking of either going with LG or kooks, but still not sure yet, but im still accepting any advice
Thanks for the advice everyone, ive been researching, and iam thinking of either going with LG or kooks, but still not sure yet, but im still accepting any advice
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 82
From: Bedford IN
Just like noted before everyone likes to hype up the ones that they have. I guess you could say I am going to do the same but because of the ease of install. If you are not concerned about emissions then I suggest the TSP(texas speed) long tubes. Mine are ceramic coated and went in very easily. They get rid of the air tubes so you can remove the air pump (gave me the room for my nitrous). A cat-less x-pipe is cheap, which I also have. Now on the loudness side, it is louder, especially at WOT, but at cruising speeds it is not loud at all. I love the sound. It will also need to be tuned to delete the codes for the air pump and the rear O2 sensors. On tuning you can also have the fans turned down and put a 180 or 160 degree thermostat in. Just my 2 cents.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Up to you ... I just want you aware of what you're getting into.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
From what I've seen 1 3/4" for most stock displacement engines and 1 7/8" for the ones with bigger cubes or alot more power (around 500).
I know this is over simplified. But this has been discussed on here before I think or maybe LS1tech.
Ricky
I know this is over simplified. But this has been discussed on here before I think or maybe LS1tech.
Ricky
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,599
Likes: 1
From: Texas