How To Build Exhaust Headers

Do exhaust headers increase horsepower?

In general, a quality set of headers should provide an increase of approximately 10-20 horsepower, and if you’re restrained with your right foot, you may even see an increase in fuel mileage.

Do headers increase exhaust sound?

But will it improve the sound of your car?! To put it simply – yes, an exhaust header will slightly improve the sound of your car. Exhaust headers are wider and thinner when compared the stock system. These characteristics allow the sound vibrations to flow better and exit the car – allowing for a louder sound.

Can I make my own headers?

You can have a set of custom headers built to your exact header specifications using their PVC mock-up kit without your car ever leaving the garage. Imagine having a set of high end custom headers built with true merge collectors to fit for your unique application.

What is the difference between an exhaust manifold and a header?

The difference between them is that an exhaust manifold is a solid cast iron structure across all cylinders while an exhaust header is made up of a series of individual steel tubes for each exhaust port, welded to meet at a collector to bring the exhaust gases down to a single pipe.

Do you need a tune for headers?

And for aftermarket headers, the answer is yes, you should tune your car when installing a new exhaust header. Major performance mods like a header can significantly alter important variables like air/fuel ratio. Tune is required to ensure you get the most out of the header without future problems.

How much torque do headers add?

We did the math and came up with a staggering average increase of 46 lb-ft of torque. That means that throughout the entire 4,000-rpm band from 2,600 to 6,600 rpm, the engine made 46 lb-ft of torque more with the headers at every single data point.

Are headers illegal?

Headers aren’t always illegal, some vehicles come stock with them and most short tube headers are considered legal in most states. Not only will they make your vehicle louder, but it is also considered tampering with your vehicles emissions, which according to the EPA is illegal under federal law.

Is a cherry bomb a muffler or resonator?

Uh a Cherry Bomb is a resonator if it’s spliced in upstream of the rear muff.

What type of headers are best?

Full-length headers help produce more overall power with good power in the low- and mid-rpm ranges—right where most street-driven vehicles can use it the most! The longer primaries also reduce the chance of escaping gases getting drawn back into another pipe.

What do aftermarket headers do?

Headers are one of the easiest bolt-on accessories you can use to improve an engine’s performance. The goal of headers is to make it easier for the engine to push exhaust gases out of the cylinders. During the exhaust stroke, a good way for an engine to lose power is through back pressure.

What is a step header?

A typical stepped header has one or two steps ahead of the collector, and each step is progressively -inch larger. Stepped primary tubes can be used to create multiple peaks in the power and torque curves and to dial-in at what rpm they occur.

How do I create a custom header?

Add a standard or customized header or footer Go to Insert > Header or Footer. Choose from a list of standard headers or footers, go to the list of Header or Footer options, and select the header or footer that you want. Or, create your own header or footer by selecting Edit Header or Edit Footer.

How much horsepower do headers add to a 350?

There was an immediate increase of 16 horsepower and a more dramatic increase of 53 foot-pounds of Torque after Chevy High Performance Magazine installed a set of Hooker heads on a stock engine.

Are headers loud?

No. The header will improve the overall sound a little bit, but it won’t make it any louder. If you compare the sound of a revving car with a manifold versus a header, you’ll probably just notice a tonal difference.

Are downpipes and headers the same thing?

Re: Difference between Downpipes and Headers (DaPeaz) Yes, but they are only marginally better than the dual outlet manifold and down pipe configuration. That is correct. Headers eliminate the exhaust manifold and the down pipe. Some headers also eliminate the catalytic converter.

Are headers hard to install?

The fact is, today it’s usually cheaper to run headers than the stock manifolds! But nobody wants to hack their Mopar’s fenderwells, or worry about bottoming out and mangling the headers, or constantly fix leaks. Plus, headers are notoriously difficult to install, especially on Mopars.

Do headers require a tune STI?

Registered. no, you don’t have to. You’ll see gains from just bolting them on the OTS map and you won’t hurt anything.

Do headers improve gas mileage?

Running aftermarket exhaust headers can improve gas mileage because it reduces backpressure significantly – resulting in more oxygen in the combustion chamber that can utilize injected fuel completely.

How much HP can a cold air intake add?

That’s why a cold air intake is a small investment with a rather big payoff. It makes such a big difference, in fact, that the simple process of redirecting the filter to draw cooler air is good for a horsepower gain of about 5 to 20 ponies in most cars.

Do you lose torque with headers?

Essentially, collectors have an impact on torque below peak torque. While the gathering or merging of primary pipes does affect header tuning, it is the addition of collector volume (typically changes to pipe length once a diameter is chosen) that alters torque.