Howdy! I am getting ready to do the intake/exhaust mods. I am doing T1R Sparrow and Comptech intake. I know headers alone don't provide huge gains in performance or sound, but how well do they compliment the other breathing mods? I will get the Ricks header if I go for it. Any thoughts on the other mods? Any input is appreciated.
Ray

 

The answer to your question. Is the mod worth it to you ? Are you down spending $800-1500 dollars for 3-5 horsepower ? If you got the money to spend then yes if not then no. There are millions of threads on this, but I think you have to use the SEARCH function. Not sure, but I think there is enough info on this subject to see if it's worth it to you or not.

 

I've done the SEARCH function. Just looking for some insightful discussion. In using the SEARCH function I found lots of "my header is great" and "which header should I buy" threads. I am already aware of the modest gains. What I want to know is how well an aftermarket header will compliment an Intake/Exhuast mod. From what I have seen, most people get more out of it when combined with the other breathing modifications. Just trying to get some useful input and hopefully others will benefit from the discussion as well.
Ray

 

Well look at it this way. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link. In a very basic way an engine is just an air pump. Air sucked in the intake through the engine out the headers and through the exhaust. If any one of those components is a restriction, that weak link will limit the system performance. So if you got everything else "improved", the header might just be your restriction.

Where the skill comes in is identifying if it really is a restriction, what the true theoretical max. system performance is, and how much effort/cash it will take to get the max. performance. No one hear has a full R&D design facility and lab, so what you get is a bunch of opinions and at best some pioneers that take new stuff, tries it and is kind enough to post dyno sheets and reviews. In the end it boils down how much anyone wants to pay for that much extra performance. Will x hp over y rpm be worth z dollars? You have threads talking about NA I/H/E at around $4000+ for 20 hp and others that ask about if it is OK to use less than recommended 87 octane gas to save a few cents. Where do you fall in this spectrum?

 

My main goal is sound. I know a header should affect the sound in some manner, but at the same time I want my engine to run more efficiently. I'm sure a header by itself just like other mods would not be that big of a difference, but when coupled with the other mods will it make a noticeable difference? I've been looking at other threads for quite a while. I guess I'm just trying to justify the extra cash spent. I will either go with exhaust only, or the full I/H/E. I appreciate the responses. I guess (all BS aside), the question is if you could, would you?