when I looked at upgrading my exhaust, the stock exhaust manifolds looked "ok" to me, was able to see a set of headers up close and can definitly see the difference, any potential gains on header upgrade with already upgraded exhaust? will the JBA or Mac shortys bolt right up to existing spot of stock manifold?

 

For most applications the stock headers are good to about 300hp and if you look real closely the passenger side is pretty good. The drivers side isn't quite as good. Long tube headers would be the way to go if you plan on an all out NA or supercharged/turborcharged build. I have not seen any dyno numbers on the headers. I've heard that there are some installation quirks but with some of that special oil (elbow grease, lol), they should bolt up without too much trouble.

 

5.0 Magazine did a write up on some mods they did to a 4.0 using the JBA shorty headers. According to them they work pretty good. I found a website that had .pdf of the article. I'll see if I can find the link.

 

That article was with the headers and JBA exhaust in combination, I doubt you will get more than 4HP out of the JBA shorties. If you are gonna go headers I would go with MAC LT's.

 

I wonder how the JBA shorties would work with the MRT exhaust?

 

i put the JBA shorties on mine, and i think they are pretty good, i didnt go with the MAC LT cuz i already lowered my car 2 inches and i didnt want to run the risk of scraping the headers when i roll over speed bumps. but the JBAs do give the car a more aggesive tone that u will notice, i bought mine off of e-bay for $375 and sum change, not too bad i dont think. but it just depends on what u want 2 do with ur car.

 

thanx for the info guys, I'm hoping to hit as close to 200 rwhp with the current plans as possible, if I'm below 190-195, this will probably be another add (thank goodness for tax returns and paypal)

 

Just had my JBA shorties today and I went to our local Midas shop for an install quote = $225 bucks! That's a little to much do y'all think?

It seemed like a simple job to do just like removing your 4 wheels! Remove the bolts then bolt on and you're done! I think I'm just gonna do it on my own and just take careful time undoing and installing the new headers. It's gonna be fun and I'm gonna use the shop manual for guidance, Just wish me luck!

Helpful comments or tips are greatly appreciated! No 2 year old flames please.

 

$225 bucks isn't bad but I wouldn't trust Midas to install a muffler without trying to rip me off some other way. If you can do it yourself, do it.Just follow the instructions to the letter and you should be okay. It's a realatively easy andfun project to do anyway.
Good luck!

 

I like the shorties with my blower. It seemes like it help in the early mid range when FI.Can't speak for NA.