Are headers worth it?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, La.
Originally Posted by MemOrex
lol, im gonna agree with you here kens64. I dont know where ppl get the idea that backpressure is a good thing. If thats true, i got an old plugged cat im willing to sell.
The only 'examples' you guys can come up with are very extreme.
Does no one understand atmospheric pressure or mixing fuel/fire/oxygen, and the correct amount of each mixed together will give you the most efficient 'burn'.
A good primer would be to read some of Smokey Yunick's works.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Originally Posted by KenB
kens64, I never said anything about reducing the size of the exhaust pipe, you've created that on your own.
My point is that your idea that aftermarket headers are always better and/or lead to better engine performance, and the fact that you think there should be no resistance is just wrong.
You suggested I could restrict pipes down to 1", I don't need that experiment thank you. On the opposite end of that how about you take off headers and pipes (completely unrestricted right) and see how well your engine performs. Besides the noise, it's going to get really hot real quick, your mpg is going down, etc. Point= neither is correct.
My point is that headers alone will not automatically insure any gains of any kind, and their size needs to be part of a matched fuel intake/delivery/exhaust team of parts.
Folks that spend money on headers and/or exhaust systems alone and expect some real gain are in for disappointments.
Matched balanced systems are what is needed for true performance increase, not just hanging on a part or two.
My point is that your idea that aftermarket headers are always better and/or lead to better engine performance, and the fact that you think there should be no resistance is just wrong.
You suggested I could restrict pipes down to 1", I don't need that experiment thank you. On the opposite end of that how about you take off headers and pipes (completely unrestricted right) and see how well your engine performs. Besides the noise, it's going to get really hot real quick, your mpg is going down, etc. Point= neither is correct.
My point is that headers alone will not automatically insure any gains of any kind, and their size needs to be part of a matched fuel intake/delivery/exhaust team of parts.
Folks that spend money on headers and/or exhaust systems alone and expect some real gain are in for disappointments.
Matched balanced systems are what is needed for true performance increase, not just hanging on a part or two.
That's right. There are many header designs, from large diameter equal length (like drag racers use,) to tri-Y headers (like work horses use,) and many headers on the market that will give you no noticable net gain.
You can bolt on a good reputable set of tri-Y headers, and unless your exhaust system is very restrictive you will get an immediate gain in torque but they are not designed for very high rpm work.
Drag racing headers are a complete waste of money unless the entire system is reworked: Big intake, throttle body, intake manifold, ported heads with big valves, performance camshaft and ports matched everywhere and big free flow exhaust system after. That's high rpm horsepower.
Also there is a vast difference between headers in quality. Cheapies often don't fit well and often leak from day one. Not to mention that they may not be mandrel bent tubing and may not be seamless. They probably won't live long but they are cheap. For most people tri-Y is the way to go unless you are going racing.
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