I'm looking at buying a header right now and have a question. Is there any difference in performance of a 1 piece and 2 piece header or do they just make them in 2 different pieces to make it easier to install/remove? Also, is there any difference in performance of the stainless steel and ceramic coated header? I'm pretty sure the answer to that last one is no though. Doesn't the stainless steel one last longer than ceramic? Thanks.

 

ceramic doesn't absorb as much heat as a steel one and the steel ones when they get hot, after a while, will turn to a different color. Not sure about the 2 and 1 peice. I think it just makes it easier to install. Not sure though.

 

better performing are usually the 4-2-1 headers. and yeah ceramic allows heat to disipate quicker where stainless steel or metal in general will retian the heat. not the greatest for the engine compartment.

i just put an airmass 4-2-1 ceramic header on my D16 not long ago. and felt a nice difference in power and response. good luck

 

im pretty sure the 2 piece header design alows you to buy a new bottom piece incase you hit it hard and break it and vice versa for the top portion. ceramic dissapates heat better, but they tend to rust and the ss will give you a brassy clean sound when combined with a ss catback.