Headers vs. Horsepower

[flash gordon]

I understand that the performance gain from headers on a turbo vehicle is relatively small and that, for the same money, other modifications may be wiser.
Howerver, I want the improved sound and wanted to know approximate horsepower / torque gains (at the wheels) by installing headers such as MPE or Raceproven motors SS headers?

 

[Robert Lone]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

It will vary greatly from build to build. It's like asking how sparklely a metalic paint job is.

I would guess the gains on a stockish build to be in the 3-5% range at best.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

So how sparkly a metallic paint job would you advise?

 

[Robert Lone]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

So how sparkly a metallic paint job would you advise?

Fair to partly sparkely. But that's just me. You have to make your own determination as to how much sparkeliness you want for your truck. Don't get carried away w/ the superdupersparkelinessfest or your truck will end up sending your retinas into KR and we don't want that.

 

[93TyphoonPacetruck]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

What are you running? Pretty much stock? slightly modded, heavily modded? I don't think the headers are really worth it, unless your stock exaust manifolds crack, go for something like a bigger turbo, free flow exaust, cold air intake, or an alky setup. I havent done them myself, and probably wont for a long time, if at all. :2cents:

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

i got them, RPM SS will see how they do.

 

[SyTyJedi]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

What mods do you have already? You didn't post your setup.

They may do a slight bit of good, or yield no improvement at all. The stock manifolds don't become a bottleneck until FAR down the road. Many trucks in the 10s on them.

 

[93TyphoonPacetruck]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

Granted they look bad ass, but when I was having my engine built, they told me unless I am making over 700hp, I really didn't need them. I wanted the trick look, but I spent it on the A/A intercooler instead.

 

[ghettosled]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

it all depends on the combination.. Like some have said, there are guys who have run 10s on the stock manifolds (with porting). If you are running a small turbine with slightly ported heads, headers may not give you much, as there are other bottle necks that need to be addressed. However if you heads are heavily ported, your exhaust is free flowing and your turbo is pretty big you may pick up considerable amounts of power. There are a couple people who picked up .3 on an 11sec truck with ATR headers, and i would expect similar results if not better on heavily modified trucks..

In the near future i plan to engine dyno a ~550hp motor with stock manifolds and our RPM headers for a before and after test. I do know that one of the most resent customers who installed our headers on a 10 sec stock manifold truck was extremely impressed with the seat of the pants, and after reviewing the datalog on the accel gen vii box, we had to add approx. 5% more fuel in the map to compensate.

Having said that, if you are looking for "sound", look elsewhere as you probably wont notice much of a difference. if you motor is not built with a larger turbo, you are probably better off spending your money on a few other parts first.

 

[flash gordon]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

Thank you all for your replies.
My current set up is slightly modified:
high volume fuel pump, billet adjustible fuel pressure regulator, aux. intercooler, cold air intake with ram air intake,K&N cone filter, battery relocate to box, 3 in. SS cat back exhaust, high flow catalytic converter, PTE-44 turbo & down pipe, TCI tranny pan, 2800 HD stall converter, 3 bar custom chip (Race Proven Motors) and map sensor,MSD ignition system & coil, 160 degree thermostat, NGK UR-6 plugs, high temp. plug wires, cap & rotor kit, racing fuel filter, inter cooler scoop, rubber inter cooler lines, Helwig rear anti sway bar.

 

[MRKING]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

In the near future i plan to engine dyno a ~550hp motor with stock manifolds and our RPM headers for a before and after test.

I am intrested in those results as well .Your making it hard to save money , when you have so many things I want to buy .

 

[alwayscode390]

Re: Headers vs. Horsepower

In the near future i plan to engine dyno a ~550hp motor with stock manifolds and our RPM headers for a before and after test.

QUOTE]


Great info ... cant wait to see the results ---