2" Headers (Instead of 1 7/8" or 1 3/4") a bad idea for stock motor?
03-24-2011, 03:39 PM
#1
Drifting
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Member Since: Apr 2007
Location: Broward County Florida
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2" Headers (Instead of 1 7/8" or 1 3/4") a bad idea for stock motor?
I've tried searching this question but perhaps it wasn't posed the way i'm asking it.
Kooks offers a 2" header.
Right now my motor is totally stock. All I have are a few bolt ons:
Since headers aren't exactly cheap, i'd like to buy the right ones the first time so later down the road if I throw in a crate motor or go SC, the headers won't need to be replaced.
My concern is I daily drive my car. Would I damage or harm my motor with 90k+ miles on it with headers this large? Perhaps too little back pressure could cause premature wear and tear?
I'm not expecting to get more power by buying bigger headers. In fact I'm aware I may lose a little bit. I just don't want to limit myself for future mods. A buddy of mine wasted thousands of dollars replacing aftermarket stuff over and over again to accomodate newer and newer mods. That's
.
Kooks offers a 2" header.
Right now my motor is totally stock. All I have are a few bolt ons:
- Straight pipe catback
- Vara-Ram intake
- Vararam power duct
- Ported/Polished TB
Since headers aren't exactly cheap, i'd like to buy the right ones the first time so later down the road if I throw in a crate motor or go SC, the headers won't need to be replaced.
My concern is I daily drive my car. Would I damage or harm my motor with 90k+ miles on it with headers this large? Perhaps too little back pressure could cause premature wear and tear?
I'm not expecting to get more power by buying bigger headers. In fact I'm aware I may lose a little bit. I just don't want to limit myself for future mods. A buddy of mine wasted thousands of dollars replacing aftermarket stuff over and over again to accomodate newer and newer mods. That's
.
03-24-2011, 03:49 PM
#2
Former Vendor
Want to know whats crazier??
Buying something now completely wrong for the application in question.....
A 1.75 header will help your current situation and allow you to grow well into the 500 RWHP area before it starts to handicap your situation some.
Go 1.75 and be done with it is my advice.....even 1.875 on a stock cube engine (unless its very aggressive) is overkill....you lose more on the bottom than you gain up top.
-Tony
Buying something now completely wrong for the application in question.....
A 1.75 header will help your current situation and allow you to grow well into the 500 RWHP area before it starts to handicap your situation some.
Go 1.75 and be done with it is my advice.....even 1.875 on a stock cube engine (unless its very aggressive) is overkill....you lose more on the bottom than you gain up top.
-Tony
I've tried searching this question but perhaps it wasn't posed the way i'm asking it.
Kooks offers a 2" header.
Right now my motor is totally stock. All I have are a few bolt ons:
Since headers aren't exactly cheap, i'd like to buy the right ones the first time so later down the road if I throw in a crate motor or go SC, the headers won't need to be replaced.
My concern is I daily drive my car. Would I damage or harm my motor with 90k+ miles on it with headers this large? Perhaps too little back pressure could cause premature wear and tear?
I'm not expecting to get more power by buying bigger headers. In fact I'm aware I may lose a little bit. I just don't want to limit myself for future mods. A buddy of mine wasted thousands of dollars replacing aftermarket stuff over and over again to accomodate newer and newer mods. That's.
Kooks offers a 2" header.
Right now my motor is totally stock. All I have are a few bolt ons:
- Straight pipe catback
- Vara-Ram intake
- Vararam power duct
- Ported/Polished TB
Since headers aren't exactly cheap, i'd like to buy the right ones the first time so later down the road if I throw in a crate motor or go SC, the headers won't need to be replaced.
My concern is I daily drive my car. Would I damage or harm my motor with 90k+ miles on it with headers this large? Perhaps too little back pressure could cause premature wear and tear?
I'm not expecting to get more power by buying bigger headers. In fact I'm aware I may lose a little bit. I just don't want to limit myself for future mods. A buddy of mine wasted thousands of dollars replacing aftermarket stuff over and over again to accomodate newer and newer mods. That's
.
2" is very big. I only have 1.7/8 headers on my 468 BBC. It produces 550hp @ 5900 and 600ftlbs. 1.3/4 is the way to go.
03-24-2011, 07:07 PM
#5
Race Director
FWIW: My 427 makes 656hp NA and I run 1 7/8. If asked, I tell even bolt-on 346's to go with 1 7/8. I wouldn't change from 1 3/4 if you have them but if you're buying LT's for the first time, go with 1 7/8.
03-24-2011, 10:44 PM
#9
Drifting
Everyone I know that has installed Kooks headers even in the 1-3/4" size has had hell getting them in. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to get 2" primaries into a C5 or C6 Vette. Don't get me wrong, Kooks makes great headers that are proven to make great power, but they are the most difficult to install, and that's well documented here and on other forums. No way I would put 2" primary headers on a stock engine, 1-7/8" are overkill until you get over 500 rwhp, but highly recommended once above that mark.
Jimbo
Jimbo
Last edited by ZZOOM06; 03-24-2011 at 10:48 PM.
