Header gauge vs. weight/flow, corrosion?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,131
Likes: 148
From: Sugar Land TX
Header gauge vs. weight/flow, corrosion?
Most headers manufacturers don't list the weight or tube gauge of their headers. 18 gauge vs. 16 or 14 gauge tubes will flow more and weight less with a given tube size. When made from stainless steel the tubes are not going to rust or corrode anyway so seems to me the 18 gauge is the way to go. If you run some numbers for flow area, a 1 3/4" tube from 18 gauge will flow about 9% more than a 14 gauge header. 1.652 ID verses a 1.584. A 16 is gauge some where in the middle.
Also I feel that 409 stainless steel is the right way to go. Plain steel ceramic coated headers could possible rust and corrode in time. Particularly if porting and clean up is required or there are any installation scratches. The 409 and 304 are not going to rust. 409 can exhibit some very light rusting but certainly nothing that will cause a problem. 409 cuts much easier than 304 and lends itself much better for porting and cleanup. I've used many brands of headers in past 20 years and all required some porting and/or cleanup before installation.
Don't care to go with 1 7/8 either. They have to weigh more and take up more room. Although they flow more my engine is virtually stock so the larger 1 7/8" is not needed.
My question, are there any 409 stainless steel 18 gauge headers for our cars?
Also I feel that 409 stainless steel is the right way to go. Plain steel ceramic coated headers could possible rust and corrode in time. Particularly if porting and clean up is required or there are any installation scratches. The 409 and 304 are not going to rust. 409 can exhibit some very light rusting but certainly nothing that will cause a problem. 409 cuts much easier than 304 and lends itself much better for porting and cleanup. I've used many brands of headers in past 20 years and all required some porting and/or cleanup before installation.
Don't care to go with 1 7/8 either. They have to weigh more and take up more room. Although they flow more my engine is virtually stock so the larger 1 7/8" is not needed.
My question, are there any 409 stainless steel 18 gauge headers for our cars?
