Milano95

OK... now, what exactly does a header do? And what is the difference between aftermarket and stock headers? How many different types of headers are there (4-2-1, etc)?

Once again, thanks to all those who help out newbies...

H23 Power

header flows your exhaust gases from the cylinder head to the catylatic converter, which goes you your exahust, basically it brings the 4 ports of the cylinder head into one....how it does so is what makes power...

4-2-1 is good for midrange and some top end power
4-1 is good for top end but may loose some low end power

there are also headers from japan which have larger tubing and therefore are for higher HP applications. But in your case, we don't really need to get into that. A 4-2-1 header will be good for your application

H23 Power

ah good point...but i still like the cost and look of CC better

H23 Power

i think it also depends on where you live....**** gets rusted in the north....

but i think it was GTEater i talked to has had 4-2-1 CC DC headers for 3 years now, they look damn perfect and not a sign of wear...guess that's what we get for livin in tx

Milano95

Thanks a bunch for your help guys.

Go Mifune

i got my dc 4-2-1 ceramic in may '95 and it's near perfect still. but, i have heard many complaints/probs from people. but, like someone said recently, there's a huge # of these out there so your likely to hear more (volume of) complaints.

samagon

if you live somewhere where rust isn't so much of an issue...

go with what you prefer.

CC = nice soft color.

SS or Chrome = shiney, lots of different colors, blue, orange, red, basically the head from the engine discolours the headers from the normal look, some people like it some don't. and make damn sure no one ever touches them with their bare hands, as once you start the car their finger prints will be forever memorialized on your headers.

berkel

A good alternative (finances willilng) is to get a SS header, then get it coated. One point that used to get thrown around was that the ceramic coated header held the heat in better than stainless, and more heat in the engine compartment meant less power. By coating a ss header, you can get the best of both worlds.

The header itself is a term for a tubular exhaust manifold. On our 4 cylinder cars, we only have one. A 6 or 8 cylinder (or more) car would have headers. Another benefit of an aftermarket header is that it's generally much lighter than stock for weight savings.

You should look downstream at your ultimate goals before choosing the header. IF you go turbo, it's wasted since you need a diff manifold for the turbo. If you go big time N/A or SC, you may want the variety with a 2.5 inch collector. If you just plan mild mods (I/H/E), then the "off the shelf" header with 2 inch collector will prob suffice. The off the shelf headers are constrained in design since they must accomodate stock cat position/size/etc. The custom or JDM headers relocate the cat and require a new one and specific or modified exhaust...

FB

Go Mifune

also, please torque using the bolt pattern spec as opposed to from left to right. and call your grandmother! she misses you!!

Go Mifune

"what are you doing with that torque wrench? NO GRANNY NOOOO!!!!!"

and remember to always to use a brand new exhaust manifold gasket. it's a $10 part so don't be cheap! (heh heh, private joke).