I have two questions regarding headers.

First, while this may seem obvious to some of you, I don't quite understand headers. What makes them different from stock exhaust manifolds? Is it just the routing that gives them better performance, and how is it that headers can make a car smog illegal?

My second question is how is it that no one carries headers for the v6 engines? It seems to me that anyone with a pipe bender and a little bit of welding skills could make some. Is it clearance issues, or something else?

Mathius

 

With log manifolds, exhaust gas has to be pushed out of the cylinder by the piston, and thanks to the laws of physics there's going to be some exhaust left in the cylinder when the valve closes. Headers, specifically tuned headers, use pipes which for a specific engine through a specific RPM range will maximize scavenging from the cylinder by ensuring the exhaust pulse still has good velocity, creating something of a vacuum effect behind it, when the next pulse is getting ready to exit. Less exhaust gas in the cylinder on the intake stroke means more fresh air/fuel mix can enter, meaning more power. There's still going to be *some* exhaust gas in there, but not as much. The tuning of the headers decides just how great a reduction that is. Even when untuned, headers are usually better since you don't have conflicting exhaust pulses trying to shove their way out of one opening on a log.

Pipe bender is a big no-no. Would half-way defeat the entire purpose. Crush-bent pipe has a reduced cross-sectional area, meaning less flow through it. Makes it impossible to tune the headers. Mandrel bends are a must. And while yes, anyone with decent TIG welding skills *can* do it, it takes alot of math to get the flow right, and alot of inginuity to clear all of the accessories/mounts/frame in the process. Also, there are 2 whole vehicles (I'm 90% certain on this) the RWD 60 degree was used in.. S-trucks and F-bodies. That would require 3 different header designs.. one for the S trucks, one for third gen F bodies, and one for 4th gen F bodies. Granted, 4th gen headers seem to exist for some reason with their 3 year production, but hey. And 3rd gen headers are readily available, just not from the major manufacturers. I'm sure someone will post a link, now that they won't require a long-winded explination of the situation Also, please note the "Search this forum" box at the bottom right of the topic list.. this question has good info available all over the place.

 

Contact Fgerle@PaceSetterExhaust.com to express interest in this product.
I'll be leaving for Phoenix shortly to have the PaceSetter Exhaust prototype installed on my Firebird for making the smog legal street legal headers we all can then buy. Biggest flow increase will be due to removal of the restrictive "Y" pipe connection.

Techsmurf, anyone at this gathering willing to go visit PaceSetter for me? I still need install new heater core & new front end nose.

try www.innovativeturbo.com or www.turboneticsinc.com for your requested turbo stuff.