Headers?

[RossGA]

Me, I would get rid of the factory header with the cat, and go with catless headers and leave a single cat in the downpipe. To pass emissions, you only need 1 cat. You may be able to avoid a CEL by using a spacer on the first o2.

I know the gains aren't going to be as good as full catless, but I don't want to deal with it emissions wise, but I do want to remove the factory header/cat because cats right close to the head/exhaust valves have a tendency to bring combustion chamber temps up.

I want to get the cat a couple feet down stream, preferably. It pulls chamber temps down just a little bit, and makes the header generally work better.

[StarsGarrador]

Couldn't you get the catless header, and then a down pipe or over pipe with a high flow cat?

[jix87]

PPE is working on a longtube catless header. ETA November.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by StarsGarrador

Couldn't you get the catless header, and then a down pipe or over pipe with a high flow cat?

That's what I will do, but then again there's no inspections in FL.

[rice_classic]

The other concern I have is that the OEM header has the all the necessary heat shielding on it so it doesn't overburden the cyl head and other various sensors with heat.

I don't see any after market headers with any type of heat shielding. I would pay extra for that.

Do you hear that manufacturers: "I would pay extra for that". Just sayin'

[BPAuto]

AutoFactory Japan Pictures and Video Here

[switchlanez]

Trust/GReddy in Japan is working on a header with O2 sensor bung and apparently stock heat shield bolt-on-ability. Targeted completion in October. Here are a few prototypes...

[usptwins]

hahahhaha not to hate, but damn im glad that i don't have to worry about emissions... lol sorry bro, if you want gains, you gona have to go catless and tune.

[UncleFester]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

The other concern I have is that the OEM header has the all the necessary heat shielding on it so it doesn't overburden the cyl head and other various sensors with heat.

I don't see any after market headers with any type of heat shielding. I would pay extra for that.

Do you hear that manufacturers: "I would pay extra for that". Just sayin'

Could always wrap it.

[Captain Insano]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

The other concern I have is that the OEM header has the all the necessary heat shielding on it so it doesn't overburden the cyl head and other various sensors with heat.

I don't see any after market headers with any type of heat shielding. I would pay extra for that.

Do you hear that manufacturers: "I would pay extra for that". Just sayin'

This you can do yourself if you are interested. You can use something like thermotec heat wrap or you could get your header/exhaust heat coated (lots of options) if you want to spend the money. OEM heat shielding will work best, but thermotec works really good too. Coating works least best IMHO, but still definitely makes a difference (how much depends on which heat coat you choose to use).

[rice_classic]

Thermo wrap is flame resistant, but oil isn't. If you have a thermo wrap exposed to an oil leak and flame is present the end result is much like a candle wick. In a street application I understand I'm not at great risk in this regard.

[VSGTS14]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

The other concern I have is that the OEM header has the all the necessary heat shielding on it so it doesn't overburden the cyl head and other various sensors with heat.

I don't see any after market headers with any type of heat shielding. I would pay extra for that.

Do you hear that manufacturers: "I would pay extra for that". Just sayin'

yea but you are one out of 100 who wants to spend 900+ on a header.
heat shielding isn't really necessary.
yes, it would be great to keep the heat retained.

and as stated, wrapping a header is no good.

[Captain Insano]

I actually stated wrap OR coating. And we have a nice NA engine so you can also coat the interior as well as exterior of your exhaust piping if you are afraid of heat (wouldn't do that on a turbo motor header) for additonal heat retardant.

Somebody says thermotec is bad in a forum so it's gospel. Sorry I disagree. It's actaully better than the stock heat shield. Do a taste test. Touch your heat shield after running the car hard. Touch a properly wrapped/sprayed exhaust pipe.

I've heard of a couple people having car fires and blaming header wrap.

If you had a fire in your car it wasn't soley due to header wrap. If you have an oil leak, or any leak of fluid that is flammable and flame hits that fluid or temperatures rise high enough to ignite that fluid, it eventually is going to burn and start your car on fire, regardless of if you have heat wrap. If you modify your car, you should be checking it. Leaks typically "leak" over long periods of time and it takes alot of fluid to burn your car down. Check your car. leaking fluid typically stinks and also typically emits small smoke (besides just stinking). Most of the time there are signs a car will burn long, long before it starts on fire. And, if you spilled a flammable liquid in your engine compartment and didn't clean it up (I know, it sounds too dumb to imagine, but TONS of people spill small or large amounts of oil in their engine compartment every time they change their oil) and your car starts on fire... Not sure I can fault a wrap or coating for that.

Last and most important, if you are paranoid about your modified car burning down (regardless of if you have your header wrapped or not) carry a fire extinguisher. They are relatively cheap peace of mind. And you can buy kits to bolt them into your car within easy reach or can be kept in the trunk.



EDIT - I've run wrap on two headers on previous cars. I've also run coating on two other headers. Never had a problem. Had lots of fun leaks too. Never had any fires. The one time I had some oil leak on a wrapped header:

• A - I knew it happened because I monitor and maintain my car
• B - I just doused that part of the header again with the protective spray - done, no problem

[kmbkk]

Originally Posted by usptwins

hahahhaha not to hate, but damn im glad that i don't have to worry about emissions... lol sorry bro, if you want gains, you gona have to go catless and tune.

+1 for no emissions testing!