Are Headers REALLY Worth It?

[dougelam]

Headers are known as "perceived" power. If they appear beneficial then they MUST be beneficial, right? Kinda like a fake hood scoop or racing stripes.

Finally a true statement, at least half of it!
I bolted at set of alumacote hookers on my 77 Camaro and I "perceived" an increase of power.
I ran a week with open headers and it was able to light up the tires in first and second gears but it ran out of steam at the top end.

Corked them and I gained over 600 rpm on the top end.

Golden racing engines said it was due to "Un-even back pressure from running open headers"

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

 

[kpic]

Is TBTR still trying to sell his lack of engineering knowledge as usual? Well, as Josey Wales said I reckon so....

As usual, TBTR proudly flaunts his ignorance of all things engineering or dyno tests. The same as as his under inflated tires.

Point is TBTR., no one minds because you don't matter.

 

[toobroketoretire]

Manual And Electric Cut Outs

A number of internet vendors sell manual and electric cut outs that can be added so headers actually work as they are intended to work; OPEN. I think any form of exhaust cut out is illegal in every state but I doubt they would be an issue on our earlier C3's that don't require smog tests. Google "Exhaust Cut Outs__You Tube" and you can watch a number of videos that show them in action. The electric cut outs cost about $150 to $200 each so they're not cheap but I would think they would be the best way to go instead of using a push/pull cable. Some people prefer LOUD exhaust systems but I prefer a fairly quiet system with a bit of a rumble at idle. I made my own 17" long oval mufflers about 5 years ago using 16 gauge galvanized steel and 2-1/2" exhaust tubing throughout their construction. The pair cost me about $110 and that included the 2-1/2" hole saw I needed. I have had a number of people tell me they are the best sounding mufflers they have ever heard.

 

[kpic]

We really thought the 1 5/8-inch headers would work best, because our Light Speed LS1 was stone stock. But we should have known that Steve’s been around awhile and his knowledge base on these Gen III engines is extensive. So our first comparison was with the 1 5/8-inch headers versus the Vette iron manifolds. We did not include a full dyno comparison of these headers, because you can see from the peak numbers that this smaller header ran acceptably against the stock Vette manifolds. However, the average torque and horsepower numbers are actually very close. The headers enjoyed a larger 2 1/2-inch exhaust pipe compared to a compression-bent 2 1/4-inch system for the iron manifolds, and the Flowmaster mufflers remained the same for all the tests. Hmmmm….

We decided to test the next larger set of 1 3/4-inch TTS headers to see how well they performed. This time, the numbers were a bit more rewarding. These larger headers only equaled the horsepower of the iron Vette manifolds, and the peak torque was up 5 lb-ft, the average torque (which is the real key to any comparison) increased slightly, yet average horsepower was up negligibly.
Next, our intrepid dyno-tester Ed Taylor bolted on a set of 1 7/8-inch headers, which would seem on the surface to be much too large for a stock engine at this horsepower level. Once again, we’re learning that the LS1 is a different animal. Average torque and horsepower increased marginally, yet we made the highest peak power level of 402 hp-up 6 hp over the best the 1 5/8-inch tubes and the iron Vette manifolds made.
The amazing performance of the stock iron Vette manifolds prompted us to test a set of iron F-car manifolds, which are significantly different from the Vette pieces. Here, the performance was dramatically down, dropping an average 9 hp, 9 lb-ft of torque, and 12 peak horsepower compared to the Vette manifolds. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the two iron manifolds. If the Vette manifolds will work in your chassis, there’s much to be said for these off-the-shelf pieces.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ls1-engine-header-test/

...with a set of 1-5/8-inch Hooker headers on the dyno. We saw significant power increases that mainly occurred lower in the power curve where the longer primary pipe length added substantial torque.

Headers Power Increase - Tech Article - Chevy High Performance Magazine

Headers vs. Manifolds - Huge Aftermarket vs. Stock Exhaust Dyno Test - Hot Rod Network

Interesting results.....

 

[toobroketoretire]

How About Fake Zoomies?

I'm surprised someone hasn't come up with fake "zoomies" for our C3's. You know, the upswept pipes like dragsters and funny cars have. Or maybe 12" diameter exhaust tips (fart cans) like some of the ricers have.

 

[kpic]

I'm surprised someone hasn't come up with fake "zoomies" for our C3's. You know, the upswept pipes like dragsters and funny cars have. Or maybe 12" diameter exhaust tips (fart cans) like some of the ricers have.

You're always surprised when you're proven wrong.. Actually, they do make 3" exhaust pipes for Corvettes..

As any engineer knows, an engine is a big air pump; more air in requires more air out... That is ignoring pulse timing and scavenging etc..

 

[toobroketoretire]

Drag Racing In The 1960's

Back in the 1960's we would drive our cars to the drag strip, uncork our headers, then go racing. At the end of the day we would re-cork our headers and then drive home with our quiet exhaust. But somewhere along the way people have forgotten about uncorking headers and began welding their exhaust pipes directly to their collectors; making the headers completely ineffective. How could people have forgotten something so obvious? How could they have forgotten headers had to be run OPEN to do any good?

 

[kpic]

How could they have forgotten headers had to be run OPEN to do any good?

Only you have forgotten what you never knew..

Although scavenging and pulse timing work better with the headers open; they work better than a stock exhaust system when closed.

To be blunt. my dog knows more about engineering than you do and that is insulting to my dog...

Please go away and find another site to baste with your bull manure..

 

[Antz81]

Back in the late 50's and early 60's everyone's street/strip headers had cover plates capping the collectors. They'd arrive at the track, uncap their collectors, and go racing. At the end of the day they'd re-cap their headers and drive home with a quiet exhaust. Since those early days people have forgotten about using caps for their collectors and began connecting their restrictive exhaust system directly to their collectors; making their headers ineffective at making ANY additional power. In another forum I told the members this and immediately came under a fierce attack as the members claimed their headers are just as effective when the restrictive exhaust system is attached.

Back in the 1960's we would drive our cars to the drag strip, uncork our headers, then go racing. At the end of the day we would re-cork our headers and then drive home with our quiet exhaust. But somewhere along the way people have forgotten about uncorking headers and began welding their exhaust pipes directly to their collectors; making the headers completely ineffective. How could people have forgotten something so obvious? How could they have forgotten headers had to be run OPEN to do any good?

Saying the same thing twice won't make it any more true. Exhaust systems have come a long way since the 60's. But as Dougelam said you're still stuck in the 60's.

 

[toobroketoretire]

So What Exactly ARE "Headers"?

Headers are thin wall steel tubing exhaust manifolds with a fancy name and an even fancier price. One of the coolest modifications anyone can make and definitely worthwhile when they're run OPEN in off road racing events.

 

[kpic]

Saying the same thing twice won't make it any more true. Exhaust systems have come a long way since the 60's. But as Dougelam said you're still stuck in the 60's.

He is definitely stuck someplace... It isn't any wonder why TBTR has been run off every other Corvette Forum.

As I was around in the 60s; for once, I disagree with Doug and you..