Are all headers essentially the same?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Are all headers essentially the same?
A friend just got a new aftermarket system, and it looks pretty good, stainless/long tubes with high flow cats. Someone was saying at a local speed shop that the performance results could vary greatly, as much as 30hp?? That seems like quite an exaggeration to me. What do you think? What kind of hp. increase can reasonably be expected from such a conversion or between various types of headers? Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
It's one of those impossible questions. Not only will different designs produce different numbers but while header A may outperform header B on engine X, header B may very well outperform header A on engine Y. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
There are differences between headers. Some fit a LOT better than other systems and some perform better than others. If one system had longer primary tubes and advanced collectors, it going to perform to a higher HP level than a copy cat generic system.
On another note, IF you installed the LOW COST HEADER on a STOCK engine and did a back to back comparison between a high DOLLAR Brand name header system, you would most likely see minimal HP/TQ differences.
Dollar/performance gains are important and not everyone has the money OR wants to spend $2500 for a system that gives them 40 HP on a stock engine where as $900 dollar system will provide 35 HP. on the same engine.
When you go full out and have MASSIVE heads.cam and power adders, there are times when specialty (high dollar PREMIUM designed) headers stand out.
Will you have the exact same HP/TQ from a $900 vs $2000 system. Most likely NOT but, is the difference between the two worth $1100?
BC
On another note, IF you installed the LOW COST HEADER on a STOCK engine and did a back to back comparison between a high DOLLAR Brand name header system, you would most likely see minimal HP/TQ differences.
Dollar/performance gains are important and not everyone has the money OR wants to spend $2500 for a system that gives them 40 HP on a stock engine where as $900 dollar system will provide 35 HP. on the same engine.
When you go full out and have MASSIVE heads.cam and power adders, there are times when specialty (high dollar PREMIUM designed) headers stand out.
Will you have the exact same HP/TQ from a $900 vs $2000 system. Most likely NOT but, is the difference between the two worth $1100?
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
And while we're on the matter of price, I used to believe you get what you pay for until I saw this:
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 209
From: Hillsboro OR
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
There are differences between headers. Some fit a LOT better than other systems and some perform better than others. If one system had longer primary tubes and advanced collectors, it going to perform to a higher HP level than a copy cat generic system.
On another note, IF you installed the LOW COST HEADER on a STOCK engine and did a back to back comparison between a high DOLLAR Brand name header system, you would most likely see minimal HP/TQ differences.
Dollar/performance gains are important and not everyone has the money OR wants to spend $2500 for a system that gives them 40 HP on a stock engine where as $900 dollar system will provide 35 HP. on the same engine.
When you go full out and have MASSIVE heads.cam and power adders, there are times when specialty (high dollar PREMIUM designed) headers stand out.
Will you have the exact same HP/TQ from a $900 vs $2000 system. Most likely NOT but, is the difference between the two worth $1100?
BC
On another note, IF you installed the LOW COST HEADER on a STOCK engine and did a back to back comparison between a high DOLLAR Brand name header system, you would most likely see minimal HP/TQ differences.
Dollar/performance gains are important and not everyone has the money OR wants to spend $2500 for a system that gives them 40 HP on a stock engine where as $900 dollar system will provide 35 HP. on the same engine.
When you go full out and have MASSIVE heads.cam and power adders, there are times when specialty (high dollar PREMIUM designed) headers stand out.
Will you have the exact same HP/TQ from a $900 vs $2000 system. Most likely NOT but, is the difference between the two worth $1100?
BC
with BillPersonally dont buy cheap headers. You may not be happy in two years.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
The basic run down..
Material used: Stainless is better than mild steel. Some coat both mild or stainless, there are arguments on whether mild or stainless is better. (heat)
Primary size: Some (Hedman) have 1 5/8 primaries for lots of low end torque... most start with 1 3/4 for and some step that size up to 1 7/8.... and even still, some start with 1 7/8 all the way, and some step from 1 3/4 to 1 7/8.
Collectors size: Some (I know if a popular off shore brand) that is 2.5 and some places offer 3.0.
Collector Design: Some have all primary pipes dump into a smallish merge area with crummy welds, some have a longer collector with better welds, some have stamped "waisted collectors - like the hips of a curvey woman- to help with mid range torque... and even more... some have a "spike" in the middle of the primary pipes that point rearwards that help further with scavenging...
Then there are the subtle differences like even thought two companies have stainless, what "grade" of stainless?
Fitment of not just in the engine bay but also for o2's...
Warranty, cost, customer service, mild differences in power, what county built? (US/china) etc.
Primary size: Some (Hedman) have 1 5/8 primaries for lots of low end torque... most start with 1 3/4 for and some step that size up to 1 7/8.... and even still, some start with 1 7/8 all the way, and some step from 1 3/4 to 1 7/8.
Collectors size: Some (I know if a popular off shore brand) that is 2.5 and some places offer 3.0.
Collector Design: Some have all primary pipes dump into a smallish merge area with crummy welds, some have a longer collector with better welds, some have stamped "waisted collectors - like the hips of a curvey woman- to help with mid range torque... and even more... some have a "spike" in the middle of the primary pipes that point rearwards that help further with scavenging...
Then there are the subtle differences like even thought two companies have stainless, what "grade" of stainless?
Fitment of not just in the engine bay but also for o2's...
Warranty, cost, customer service, mild differences in power, what county built? (US/china) etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 761
Likes: 1
From: sunnyvale ca
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
And while we're on the matter of price, I used to believe you get what you pay for until I saw this:
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
And while we're on the matter of price, I used to believe you get what you pay for until I saw this:
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
What does the INSIDE look like? is it nice a smooth for the exhaust gasses to flow smoothly. or are there bumps inside the exhausts to cause turbulence ?
besides, that part of the header is almost hidden under the car.
Question is,
are you buying for looks or performance ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
i dont have a problem with this pic.
What does the INSIDE look like? is it nice a smooth for the exhaust gasses to flow smoothly. or are there bumps inside the exhausts to cause turbulence ?
besides, that part of the header is almost hidden under the car.
Question is,
are you buying for looks or performance ?
What does the INSIDE look like? is it nice a smooth for the exhaust gasses to flow smoothly. or are there bumps inside the exhausts to cause turbulence ?
besides, that part of the header is almost hidden under the car.
Question is,
are you buying for looks or performance ?
This joint is not under the car but instead up near the flange, easily seen from the top of the engine.
But if you think this is worth $1500.00+ more power to ya guy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 761
Likes: 1
From: sunnyvale ca
And while we're on the matter of price, I used to believe you get what you pay for until I saw this:
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.
This is on a top of the line header from a well known manufacturer. They claim this does not affect performance and while I have no reason to believe otherwise, would you really want this on your car? Would you feel good paying $1500.00 + for this kind of quality?
Seems you really need to do your research these days.