ive been reading numerous posts on this board and it seems that headers are pointless to buy for are cars. I was thinking about getting headers on my car, but if there pointless then i think im might invest into the cheap headers(pacesetter) but on dsm talk and on my local fourm, they say pacesetter is shitty. the next cheaper headers i have seen is bosal, but thats in the three hundred dollar range. well in short, do u guys have any suggestions on some relaiable cheap headers. also would a performance cat-converter be a good performance mod or should i stay stock. remember i already have a magnafow muffler.

well, I know they're pointless if you plan on going turbo anytime soon. But I think some people have gotten some o.k. gains from them, but definately not your best HP increase for the $$$.....

In terms of top end horsepower, I would say headers (and a high flow cat) are not especially worth it if you are only going to have some light to moderate bolt on modifications. If you are pushing your car all motor to have as much power as you can (even if it is still going to be a street car) then I'd say they would be worth it, since then you will need every HP.

In terms of low end torque, the header is useful. No, you won't see much peak HP or torque gains, but around 3000 rpms or so they should help, and since everyone drives around that RPM range they are still useful for a street car, if you care about low end. Headers seem to add a good deal of low end torque to our cars.

I'm happy with mine even though the company I bought it from are jerks. I got the obx stainless steel, it's suppose to be 4-2-1 but it seems to be a cross between that and 4-1. I took it to the track and gained .5 on my 1/8 mile time and 4 mph top end. I got it for $150 so I think it was a good increase for the cost and it definitely looks better.

yeah i definately love the way mine look :-)

but they did help some.. for mid to high range power there is definately an increase.. but you have to kinda have supporting mods to go along with it otherwise the gains will not be the same.

I agree with those above in that it's only really worth the money if you are going all out on your motor or you really need to win trophies at shows. But the obx for 150 is a helluva lot better than 400 for a Greddy.

I've got the Greddy headers and I really didn't notice much of a difference. I think I may have actually LOST some low end torque, but gained that back in the high end HP. One thing I did notice was an increase in gas mileage...not so much in town because I love the sound and wrap it up all the time, but if I go 65 mph on the highway I can get upwards of 36-38 mpg when I was only getting 32.

'98 Talon Esi
Apex'i N1 Catback Exhaust|Greddy 4-1 Header|Bosch Platinum +4 Plugs|Iceman CAI|Upper Front & Rear Strut Bars|

where can i order those obx headers, that seems like a good price for them

From what i have learned a header will help out the low end which would be point less for manuels because when racing they rev and dont use the low end much. As for auto's we cant rev and any power at any rpm will help us out. When auto's take off we dont usually feel any real power untill about 3000-3500, and a header should give us power between 1000-3500. The rpm ranges are a rough estiment so dont quote me on that. I think a header will help a manuel with daily drivin but not much racing, and it should help an auto in both area's all around. If you are auto go for it but if manuel it wont help out much for racing.

dfresh

when i got my hot shot header put on i noticed that it sorta flattened out my power band. Made it a lil more even throughout. Now that i have it on, i don't regret getting it. But i would honestly look around for a used top end header such as greddy or hot shot. The lower priced ones are also lower quality from my understanding, bad fitment, etc. And yes, if you are going turbo at anytime, i suggest jus keeping the money you will spend on a header aside for the turbo fund. :thumbsup good luck either way.

The only way I see headers not being worth it, is if you are going turbo.

Exhaust gas passes through in pulses from combustion. Exqual legnth headers allows those pulses to pass through the exhaust without interfiering with each other. A worthwile investment for anyone not going turbo. It will only help with other mods, by having a properly set up exhaust.

1997 Eclipse RS (in winter slumber for head gasket repair and other projects)

He who knows men is clever; He who knows himself has insight.
He who conquers men has force; He who conquers himself is truly strong.
-Lao Tzu

Injen CAI, AFX 55mm TB, P&P Intake Manifold, Crower Stage 2 Cams, Hooker Header, GS-T Muffler, AFX UDP, Apexi S-AFC

if u want trophies at shows, don't spend $400. Go get a $15 buffer (not even necessary) and some $3 blue magic. Polish the heatshield. GRAVY and a biscuit, hold the rice. (it just sounded right. iono) :)

put that would-be header money into an AFX-ECU, IMO. you will NOT be disappointed

I had FlyinEsi's header before I sold it to him, and I liked it. I noticed mid-high rpms gains (4000-7000) and did not experience much low end loss at all. What I noticed most was the sound. It took all raspyness out of my exhaust note. I had a greddy cat-back though, so they might have just worked well together. Would I spend another 440 on one? Prolly not, Id find a used one or just deal with the stock manifold. I wouldn't buy a lower quality one though.

well i have a CAI, adjustable cam gears, 40 shot of nitrous, and a muffler. is that some decent supporting mods for the headers.

Yeah, I got some supporting mods too. I'm hoping it'll help out. Ram air, Jeep TB, Gude cams, test pipe, GS-T exhaust. The exhaust mani is the last clog in the pipeline....so we'll see.


ride__________95 Eclipse RS : 5 speed
power________Field SFC Hyper-R : Gude cams : Jeep TB : AFX UDP : ram air : test pipe : GST catback
suspention___Hurricane F/R lower strut ties : BOMZ F/R upper strut bars : ES inserts
sound________Kenwood KDC 5000 : Audiovox 8" sub toob : Xplod 222
shizzle_______AutoCommand remote start : dual air horns : Caspers o2 simulator(rear)
incomming___Bosal header(maybe), 14b turbosystem(eventually)
Jeep TB writeup - http://www.dimensia.com:81/jimbo/JeepTBfor2gnt.html

a 4-2-1 header is supposed to help the low and midrange. a 4-1 helps the mid and high range. i belive the length of the tubes has something to do with it too. also your mods make a differnce as to the effectiveness of the header. IMO a header on a car with the rest of the exhaust system upgraded would give better gains than a header on a car with the stock exhaust system. i don't know personally but i have heard from alot of people that the greddy header is the only one that doesn't have a problem with the welds breaking.

i was at a 2gnt meet, back in the day...

kory was there...

we had same mods, except he had greddy header

we raced top end and he pulled on me, then i threw an accesory belt...

if your not goin turbo, and want em, get em... just make sure you have other mods that the header will accentuate....

vtecPOWA

I have the Pacesetter Headers and had some fitment issues but i got them on. They looked good till i turned on the car and then all the black paint burned off. Looked like my car was on fire :). I noticed good gains.