This question is for a friend. He is putting an exhaust, is there any reason to put new headers as well if he doesn't plan on doing programming?? I told him he would lose power. When is it advantageous to put headers on a car? How much power can he expect to gain or lose?

 

It depends what kind of headers.. If theya re long tube for sure you'll loose power.. In fact some equal length short tube headers don't look all that great and may screw things up too. It's best to get tuned for every mod but with the way most of the software for our cars is, aka we get mostly canned programs... What headers are these?

 

if you buy my headers you will NOT lose power....it is a brand new set of the headers sharky has
Only selling cause TT is going...

 

I don't see how you could lose power from getting a proper set of headers made for the 996. The flow increase alone would allow more volume to pass through the header and into the turbo at a faster rate. The ECU may not be able to take full advantage of the headers, but I fail to see why it would hurt the performance of the car unless something was inherently wrong with the design of the hardware (the header in this case) itself.

 

Long tube headers that are not properly matched or tuned for actually cause a loss of Torque..

 

He is wanting a Gemballa Exhaust and Hines from gemballausa is trying to sell him on headers. I don't quite understand the logic myself. Wouldn't you need a different program to incorporate headers? ****, GIAC doesn't even incorporate headers until their Stage 4GT programming which yields 670hp. I have heard from numerous people on this board that headers lost power when used simply with an exhaust or even when used on Tame(600 or less hp) What do you think? Alex?

Lou

 

Yes. I have seen no replacement headers that were as short
or as insulated as the stock headers. For a turbo you want
as little distance and surface area between the exhaust port
and turbo as possible. All aftermarket headers I've seen are
prettier, bigger, longer, and non-insulated compared to stock.
Only when you're dealing with a monster engine whose exhaust
volume is much bigger than stock would the stock parts be
wanting.
Tell your friend to get a freer-flowing exhaust if he wants,
but forget the headers.
Joe

 

Heya Lou, I would really not bother with after market headers and just spend the money elsewhere... Only when you get to really high levels will it make a difference and even then it's not all that great. The stock design is really remarkably good. If anything get them modified by Kevin (ported and coated) but I wouldn't bother doing anything else...

 

Headers are not an entry level modification. They are for someone who wants to squeeze as much as possible out of their motor. They are a very custom item. That is to say depending on tube diameter, you highlight certain rpm ranges. Most of the headers I have seen are next to useless. Cheap stainless, not mandral bent, thin materials and no insulation.

If the price isn't worth 6-8 hp (after you re tune) or you are not breathing in the 7000 to 8500 rpm range, then they are not what you are looking for.

 

That is pretty much what I said to him. Not so eloquently and backed up with the kind of information you had, but, that's what I meant Thanks Chad, Sharky and others for the explanation, I wonder why he didn't just believe me when I said "headers suck, don't get them"

 

FYI - GIAC's level 4 is also programmed for headers...

 

Thanks, I now realize that.

Lou