Help with understanding Headers/X-Pipes ECT
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 970
Likes: 299
From: Sierra Vista Arizona
Help with understanding Headers/X-Pipes ECT
Anticipate incrimentally introducing performance enhancements to the C7; starting with aFe's CAI, Weapon-X throttle body on order. Target is to get to 600ish RWHP
I see a lot of discussion about headers/x-pipes to help the vehicle breath better but dont understand what the trigger points might be to go for either option or when it is appropriate (or the downsides) with going for 2 inch diameter vs the smaller plumbing. Also what (if any) performance gains are generally seen with these components alone?
Thanks for any assist.
Scott
I see a lot of discussion about headers/x-pipes to help the vehicle breath better but dont understand what the trigger points might be to go for either option or when it is appropriate (or the downsides) with going for 2 inch diameter vs the smaller plumbing. Also what (if any) performance gains are generally seen with these components alone?
Thanks for any assist.
Scott
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
1 7/8" with cats unless you plan to go with a supercharger later then do 2" without cats.
The more you do to the car, the more headers will benefit you. Personally, I do not care for the volume increase (loved it when I was 17) so headers are very low on the priority list for me.
The idea is to make a plan for your ultimate goal. If you want a 427 with a blower and you buy 1 3/4 inch headers you will be buying two sets of headers in the long run.
The more you do to the car, the more headers will benefit you. Personally, I do not care for the volume increase (loved it when I was 17) so headers are very low on the priority list for me.
The idea is to make a plan for your ultimate goal. If you want a 427 with a blower and you buy 1 3/4 inch headers you will be buying two sets of headers in the long run.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Here's my two cents on the subject for what it's worth:
I started with 1-3/4" catted and decided to move up to 1-7/8" with cats after doing a bit more research, polling, etc. because I was installing a blower kit.
1-3/4" seems to be the sweet spot for N/A cars making under 600hp, and actually has some nice gains over 1-7/8" in the low-end torque area on near-stock cars.
1-7/8" seems to be the appropriate size for cars making anywhere from 550 - 900hp, and should be used as a base on forced induction cars.
2" doesn't kick in until you have a real reason for it (going over 900, pushing massive amounts of boost, stroker 416, etc) - that's what I've heard from every shop and even a few of the manufacturers so far. They make them because there's demand, but there really has to be a reason to need that much to justify the use of it... (ported exhaust ports or aftermarket heads, etc)
As for the catted vs. uncatted - I prefer catted since they make the same power (within standard deviation these days) and smell better (and the whole legality thing). However, now that more is being done to mine with methanol and we're pushing it... the catted pipe has to turn into an off-road pipe. Can't risk melting a cat.
I started with 1-3/4" catted and decided to move up to 1-7/8" with cats after doing a bit more research, polling, etc. because I was installing a blower kit.
1-3/4" seems to be the sweet spot for N/A cars making under 600hp, and actually has some nice gains over 1-7/8" in the low-end torque area on near-stock cars.
1-7/8" seems to be the appropriate size for cars making anywhere from 550 - 900hp, and should be used as a base on forced induction cars.
2" doesn't kick in until you have a real reason for it (going over 900, pushing massive amounts of boost, stroker 416, etc) - that's what I've heard from every shop and even a few of the manufacturers so far. They make them because there's demand, but there really has to be a reason to need that much to justify the use of it... (ported exhaust ports or aftermarket heads, etc)
As for the catted vs. uncatted - I prefer catted since they make the same power (within standard deviation these days) and smell better (and the whole legality thing). However, now that more is being done to mine with methanol and we're pushing it... the catted pipe has to turn into an off-road pipe. Can't risk melting a cat.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 970
Likes: 299
From: Sierra Vista Arizona
Thanks for both responses...very informative and as a resullt will elect to go 1 7/8 catted (based on feedback from other forums it appears the ARH system is the correct one).
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 28
From: Aledo, TX
If your target is 600 I would strongly consider going with 1 3/4" headers, there is not loss up top with these and considerably more torque down low.
Search some of the dyno's head to head the 1 3/4" is a better choice.
Search some of the dyno's head to head the 1 3/4" is a better choice.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 970
Likes: 299
From: Sierra Vista Arizona
Scott
