what about headers
1st Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 125
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RE: what about headers
The consensus around here appears to be that the shorty headers wont give you much. That being said - I've not seen a good header comparison done like the one which was done on intake systems. I put shorty headers on an Expedition a few years ago and it only appeared to make the exhaust sound different but it was an SUV vs. something with actual performance.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,544
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RE: what about headers
That's about right.
Shorty headers will give you anywhere from 3-5 HP: not much. I don't recall which one, but there was a magazine test of several different Shorty Headers and that was the conclusion they came to. The reason is that Shortys aren't much better than the stock manifolds, which are actually very nice (as far as manifolds go).
Longtube headers, on the other hand, are worth a lot more HP. The reason is that they properly time the exhaust pulses for better scavenging, something that is impossible with a shorty or manifold. LTs can give 20+ HP.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the shortys. They are about 75% of the price, and 90% of the work compared to installing Longtubes, but you only get one-quarter of the performance (at best). That just doesn't make sense to me.
Shorty headers will give you anywhere from 3-5 HP: not much. I don't recall which one, but there was a magazine test of several different Shorty Headers and that was the conclusion they came to. The reason is that Shortys aren't much better than the stock manifolds, which are actually very nice (as far as manifolds go).
Longtube headers, on the other hand, are worth a lot more HP. The reason is that they properly time the exhaust pulses for better scavenging, something that is impossible with a shorty or manifold. LTs can give 20+ HP.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the shortys. They are about 75% of the price, and 90% of the work compared to installing Longtubes, but you only get one-quarter of the performance (at best). That just doesn't make sense to me.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,313
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RE: what about headers
I was under the car last night trying to see where the Gtrac brace goes, and I really looked at the whole exhaust from the manifolds back. It is REALLY well designed as factory or aftermarket systems go. I dont see much room for improvment anywhere, and judging by what I have read, that is pretty much accurate.
Sound is another story.
Long tubes are attractive, but my expiriences with headers on other cars has always sent me back to HP factory manifolds. Between the PITA to put them in, and all the other trouble associated with them, I dont know if they are worth the 20HP, to me anyway.
And they arent cheap either.
Sound is another story.
Long tubes are attractive, but my expiriences with headers on other cars has always sent me back to HP factory manifolds. Between the PITA to put them in, and all the other trouble associated with them, I dont know if they are worth the 20HP, to me anyway.
And they arent cheap either.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,544
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RE: what about headers
Regarding the longtube install:
Yes, it is time consuming--there's no avoiding that. It took me about 8 hours with air tools and jackstands (I didn't have a proper lift).
However, it was easy to do, at least with the Dynatech kit. Nothing was particularly difficult, it came apart and went together very easily.
Yes, it is time consuming--there's no avoiding that. It took me about 8 hours with air tools and jackstands (I didn't have a proper lift).
However, it was easy to do, at least with the Dynatech kit. Nothing was particularly difficult, it came apart and went together very easily.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,235
From:
RE: what about headers
ORIGINAL: CrazyAl
That's about right.
Shorty headers will give you anywhere from 3-5 HP: not much. I don't recall which one, but there was a magazine test of several different Shorty Headers and that was the conclusion they came to. The reason is that Shortys aren't much better than the stock manifolds, which are actually very nice (as far as manifolds go).
Longtube headers, on the other hand, are worth a lot more HP. The reason is that they properly time the exhaust pulses for better scavenging, something that is impossible with a shorty or manifold. LTs can give 20+ HP.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the shortys. They are about 75% of the price, and 90% of the work compared to installing Longtubes, but you only get one-quarter of the performance (at best). That just doesn't make sense to me.
That's about right.
Shorty headers will give you anywhere from 3-5 HP: not much. I don't recall which one, but there was a magazine test of several different Shorty Headers and that was the conclusion they came to. The reason is that Shortys aren't much better than the stock manifolds, which are actually very nice (as far as manifolds go).
Longtube headers, on the other hand, are worth a lot more HP. The reason is that they properly time the exhaust pulses for better scavenging, something that is impossible with a shorty or manifold. LTs can give 20+ HP.
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the shortys. They are about 75% of the price, and 90% of the work compared to installing Longtubes, but you only get one-quarter of the performance (at best). That just doesn't make sense to me.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,544
From:
RE: what about headers
Sure I have. You can get the hookers for $500. That's in line with many of the shortys.
Granted, some of the kits are more expensive, but you can buy a good set for a pretty good price, IMHO.
Granted, some of the kits are more expensive, but you can buy a good set for a pretty good price, IMHO.