I have a 2.5" catback system with stock headers… I was wondering what would the best type of header to get for performance. Also does it matter if you get an ebay stainless header vs. a name brand one? TIA:rimshot:
source out a used itr best bang for the buck.
4-1 top end 4-2-1 midrange. If your just a LS than I say go 4-2-1, either way you probley wounldnt tell a diff between the 2.
You’ll also want to consider fitment issues. You will have to notch the crossmember for the 4 - 1 header to fit. As far as what brand to get… Personally I think you get what you pay for. If your patient and do alot of looking you can find a good one for cheap. I was able to get my hands on a Comptech ITR header for about have of retail. I have heard good things about the Megan header. Do a little searching on here.
So your saying is overall the best bang for the buck is an ITR 4-2-1 setup. Any good places you guys know of to get one on the net.
I’m almost positive the ITR only comes 4-1.
I have a Megan 4-1, and the quality is nice and all. I just hate how low 4-1 headers hang. I’m selling my 4-1 to get a 4-2-1 b/c of the ground clearance.
I have the Comptech 4 2 1 for the ITR. Not a JDM ITR 4 2 1, that only comes in 4 1 configuration.
i have 4-1 and they look great not haveint the 2 peices but they were a pain to install and i had to cut into the crosmember about 1 inch. they are no the lowest point of the car by a good inch. im not sure of the brand bought them used but the flange looks great.
Heres my recommendation:
Stock: 2pc 4-2-1 header (stock fitment)
All motor: 1pc 4-2-1 with 2.5 collector (will have to notch the xmember to fit)
I have a Vibrant 1pc 4-2-1 w/2.5 collector (T1R copy), great overall header and it pulls really nice from mid to high, although on the expensive side it was well worth it.
I have a Vibrant 1pc 4-2-1 w/2.5 collector (T1R copy), great overall header and it pulls really nice from mid to high, although on the expensive side it was well worth it.
how is fitment and ground clearance on that vibrant header? i’m looking for a nice 4-2-1 header that I wont drag all over the place for my next all motor build up.
Not all 4-1 headers need to be notched. I have a Kamekazi 4-1 header and it fit fine. Good overall power and it has held up now for over 2 years.
I also run the Kamekazi 4-1 header 2.5 collector No cutting
The fitment on the Vibrant header is really good, hugs the oil pan just right and have yet to bottom out on it (2.5-2.75 drop). You will have to knotch the crossmember, lengthen the exhuast pipe and get a 2.5 flange collector.
The fitment on the Vibrant header is really good, hugs the oil pan just right and have yet to bottom out on it (2.5-2.75 drop). You will have to knotch the crossmember, lengthen the exhuast pipe and get a 2.5 flange collector.
thats good news. I was going to just go with the jdm itr manifold, but I didn’t like how low it hung down on the DA’s. I’m not worried about the exhaust since I’ll be re doing everything. Thanks for the info.
either go with a nice tri-y header or a 4-1 header with a real merge collector. crappy headers are a waste of money, you would probably be better off with stock over most of them. jdm itr 4-1 is the only exception since it has a neato heat shield.
Any links to a “real” header
pretty much every fab shop that deals with na cars has their own. comptech has a race header, smsp, rmf, hytech, even spoolin sells one. they range anywhere from 500-1500. spoolin has a tri-y header for 650, then their crossmember is another 275, add in a test pipe, and you have a sweet header on your car for under a grand. i would probably go with the rs*r ex-mag for an exhaust even tho it is only 60mm, the full stainless design and sound are both amazing and make it worth every penny of the price tag.
I’m not looking to spend much. Just looking for a performance boost, I’m a bit confused however on how one header can be better than another if they both are 4-2-1 and stainless. How much better can a name brand really be:tapfing:
its not really the name brand, but the design and r&d put into some of the more expensive pieces like hytech, rmf, smsp etc. most of the cheaper 4-2-1’s out there are just made for the mass market and only produce minimal results. if your not looking to make big power and or your setup is just the basic i/h/e and nothing more, than a cheaper header will just be fine.
best 4-2-1 header for the price is the Edelbrock Proflow. 1.3/4" primaries, 2" secondaries, 2" collector. with a 2.5" collector mod, it makes very good power. as for the people that think 4-2-1 for midrange and 4-1 for top end, are way beyond incorrect. SMS & Hytech’s best headers are 4-2-1 configuration. to add, i’ve seen a 98’ JDM 18c-r with a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, they do not come with only 4-1- manifolds. i have an edelbrock w/2.5" collector mod and my 18c1 makes 200whp 136wtq, obviously with supporting mods. if your on a budget, u can’t go wrong. lastly, i own a DB2. the proflow fits with no mods at all, and has excellent ground clearance