I'm a bit of a noob, so bear with me here: I'm curious about headers. I'm wondering what the performance gains are, does it affect the exhaust sound, etc.? I'm considering headers, but I don't know what I might gain.

 

Don't expect to gain much as far as performance. What you do gain is a much sexier look in the engine bay as well as a throatier exhaust tone (I can't personally vouch for the exhaust claim, but most say it).

 

I had read somewhere that headers could potentially hurt bottom-end power and torque. I'm wondering if I put headers on without changing the muffler will it increase performance the same as changing the muffler? That way a muffler and header swap might give more power. Ultimately, the engine alone doesn't really produce enough exhaust gas to make too much gain by opening up the exhaust. I'm not really looking for a loud exhaust.

Really, all I know is that I've read too much and experienced too little to really know what I'm talking about!

 

Shorties, don't bother; the stock manifolds flow very well and very very little would be gained going with shorty headers.
Long tubes dont help much, and you really would want to go dual with them. A little can be gained, but not much for the $$$ spent.
You'll feel some gains getting rid of the stock muffler (simplest mod) or going dual exhaust. Neither requre retuning.

 

Come on everyone shortys are not bad at all. yes you will not gain a lot 5hp maybe, but you will be able to to keep your stock cats and give your car a meaner sound especially if you run a dual exhaust out to the back too. shortys can be had on the cheap. They have them on ebay for like 100+ shipping and they look exactly like pypes and bbk but without the fancy coatings so all you get is stainless steel not ceramic or painted. i have a set of shortys from ebay and they where a perfect fit no problems putting them on.

 

I wish I could remember the numbers, but the best gain I've ever seen were for a set of Kooks L/T catted headers.