Headers???
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Hell yeah, put headers on anything that you can find headers for. I have headers on my altima and my f-150, makes the vehicle much more enjoyable. Just don't over do it on the rest of the exhaust, or you'll be scratching your head wondering what happened to the torque.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
I will strongly disagree with the old wives tale of too big an exhaust will lose torque. Anything passed the manifold exit or header collector will only restrict flow. Meaning if you put on too small of an exhaust pipe it will restrict flow which will cause a loss of performance under high flow conditions. It is a myth that too big an exhaust beyond that point will lose torque.
There are some great minds and people with practical experience trying to extract maximum power out of Ford engines over at sbftech.com. This myth of too small exhaust/lowend torque loss has been debunked many times. Go with an exhaust that will allow maximum flow at WOT. A full 3" exhaust on a mild small block Ford will not lose any torque compared to the same engine with a 2.25" exhaust. In fact you may find a measurable increase in power at the higher end with zero loss at the lower.
Too big of a header pipe or collector will definitely affect torque at all RPMs. Get a good header, then find the biggest exhaust you can afford/fit.
There are some great minds and people with practical experience trying to extract maximum power out of Ford engines over at sbftech.com. This myth of too small exhaust/lowend torque loss has been debunked many times. Go with an exhaust that will allow maximum flow at WOT. A full 3" exhaust on a mild small block Ford will not lose any torque compared to the same engine with a 2.25" exhaust. In fact you may find a measurable increase in power at the higher end with zero loss at the lower.
Too big of a header pipe or collector will definitely affect torque at all RPMs. Get a good header, then find the biggest exhaust you can afford/fit.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
^I completely disagree rla2005. You need a smaller pipe to maintain exhaust velocity. Don't go too small because you're not looking for backpressure, just a high exhaust velocity. If you go with too big of a pipe, the exhaust moves slowly, cools down, and doesn't scavenge as well.
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - FQA, Frequently Asked Questions
Techno’s “Know your car” Series #4 –
2.5" vs 3" Exhaust? - SmokinVette.com Forums
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - FQA, Frequently Asked Questions
Techno’s “Know your car” Series #4 –
2.5" vs 3" Exhaust? - SmokinVette.com Forums
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
^I completely disagree rla2005. You need a smaller pipe to maintain exhaust velocity. Don't go too small because you're not looking for backpressure, just a high exhaust velocity. If you go with too big of a pipe, the exhaust moves slowly, cools down, and doesn't scavenge as well.
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - FQA, Frequently Asked Questions
Techno’s “Know your car” Series #4 –
2.5" vs 3" Exhaust? - SmokinVette.com Forums
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - FQA, Frequently Asked Questions
Techno’s “Know your car” Series #4 –
2.5" vs 3" Exhaust? - SmokinVette.com Forums
I know this subject was going to make a few waves. As I noted before there is a wealth of information from people with first hand experience and dyno testing that are finding the old theories to be myths at sbftech.com. Granted most of those who in the "know" are hardcore racers, but the theories and practical applications to a street car do apply. I am not going to hijack this thread any further. If you want to research this yourself and become a more educated gearhead ( that includes me) spend some time at their site and read.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Well see that's the thing.. some racing techniques simply do not transfer to the street very well. "Low RPM" for a drag racer is 3500rpm.. that's redline on a stock I6 truck motor so racer knowledge really doesn't apply here.
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