I wanted to get other peoples opinion on aftermarket headers. Are they really worth the money or are you better off leaving the stock header?

 

The stock header is pretty good. The aftermarket units slightly change the torque and/or HP curve but the gains are very modest. Many people will tell you they can't tell the difference. If you are looking for a substantial difference in power your money may be better spent elsewhere.

 

I got a DC sport stainless steel header on my 00 S and I can personally say that I've felt nothing different after installing it, I'm not saying that it adds no hp but I haven't really feel any gain what so ever . My mod are just simply bolt on like I/H/E so I can say that it really ain't worth the extra money for the little to no gain hp/tq headers, our S like many had said doesn't respond well to aftermarket parts/upgrade unless you go the nitrous/supercharger/turbo route so I say save you money and get one of those for the true hp/tq gain that you can really feel . Also I read a spec sheet about peeps who dyno'ed their S with bolt ons before and after each one and the addition of a DC header only added 3 hp gain which is like I'd said, little to no gain at all and nothing you can really feel . Do your own research and make up your mind if you want to or don't, DC headers run anywhere from $250.00-$350.00 and installation is a pain too if you only have jack stands .

 

Also a with a aftermarket header you can really hear the extra air rushing through the headers cause the header location itself is super close to the fire wall that it sometimes sounds like air leaking and also sometimes sound annoying. It does stand out in the engine bay by you'll rather have power gain than look, especially after spending that much money for only that much hp/tq gain.

 

"but" you'll rather have power gain than look, sorry typo on pervious reply...

 

thanks for the info!!

 

Come spring time I'm going nitrous on my S along with a Vafc2, that'll be fun. I've been stocking on these item since winter had begun so I'm just wait'n for the warm weather to hit, I'll be seeing them EVO's and STI side by side .

 

what kind of nitrous system are you running? shot?

 

If you want really reliable info on nitrous and the s2000, PM Italianbuckwheat. He's been running nitrous for sometime now without problems. I think he uses a direct port, 50 wet-shot.

 

I've heard of awesome stories of header replacements on corvettes and mustangs, 50+ hp on some setups. The 2000 is so well tuned that you might get 5-10 hp on a good day. Is there any power upgrade that's worthwhile anymore? I'm aware of FI, "stroking" and Nitro but is those the routes you have to take?

I guess I am asking, what's the worthwhile bolt-on?

Air intakes seem to make the car sound better. From what I have read above, the headers don't really do much. It sounds like a person is better off stock.