shorty headers

[mdiacont322]

I was wondering exactly what will shorty headers do for my L31. I would think there better than stock manifolds without the fabrication that is required with long tubes, but what will i gain out of shorties like the ones below?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9016/

thanks
mike

 

[grimm]

Any decent header, even if they are shorties, should improve performance, even if not a huge amount. You'll see the true benefit of the headers in conjunction with other mods like Cat-back/muffler(s), high-flow cats, intake, PCM tune, etc. If all else fails, your exhaust note will benefit from it =D.

 

[mdiacont322]

haha yeah thats a plus... but i plan on getting the headers i listed with the magnaflow high flow cats, then a complete cat back, but i have no idea which one. I also have a CAI, bored throttle body, and a superchips flashpaq if that makes a huge difference. which cat back will yield the most power in anyones opinion, or do i just slap a muffler on my intermediate pipe?

mike

 

[grimm]

Just as a heads up, if you buy painted headers, the paint will most likely flake off in no time due to the high amount of heat generated from the exhaust gases.

If you want power, balance is key. You can see small performance gains just by replacing the muffler(s). However, if you have custom piping done, routed the right way, and in the right size (not too big, not too small) you should notice a bigger difference. There's some nice cat-back setups out there as well if you look around.

I'm currently debating my exhaust plans as well. I'm going to have to buy shorties too since I don't think long tubes would be legal where I live, which happens to be the state with the harshest smog laws (California). And I will either have to keep my stock cats, or use the CA legal Magnaflows. (Which will be a pain in the ass since you aren't even supposed to replace a catalytic converter unless its malfunctioning)... see what I mean about "harshest laws"? haha.

 

[mdiacont322]

haha yeah i got you the laws out there are bogus... my plans are-

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9016/ *headers
http://www.discountcatalyticconverters.com/basket.php?add_item_id=299482 *cats (im from jersey so emissions arent too harsh)
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ca...xt=&categoryDisplayName=Exhaust&parentId=61-0 *intermediate pipe
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-11379/ * muffler- im gonna use adapters to get it on the 2" pipe
and i have no idea about tailpipes, maybe some turndowns out the side

 

[AtomicHoe094]

i wouldnt get painted headers if i was you. youll regret it real quickk

for the cats, get some highflow magnaflow cats. on ebay is the cheapest ive seen em. 60 bucks each aint too bad.
and muffler looks good.

 

[mdiacont322]

yeah i will probably coat them. ive heard all kinds of stories on how they rot... but at the same time ive heard from people in my remote area that summit brand headers have never rotted out on them after years of use. I live in jersey where theres probably the nastiest roads in the country, imo, whether it be salt, sand, or whatever. Coating would definitley be a good idea though.

 

[destroyer1362]

You'll like those headers. I think those are the same model I ordered from summit. It says summit on the site but when you get them they will be pace-setters. I tried coating mine with rustoleum header paint but about 90% of it flaked off the first day. The headers themselves are holding up well though.

 

[mdiacont322]

thanks for the info destroyer! how much of a difference did you notice from the manifolds to the headers? and for future reference, maybe try to scuff the paint on the headers before spraying more stuff on... it helps with adhesion. just an idea though...

 

[97yukon]

thanks for the info destroyer! how much of a difference did you notice from the manifolds to the headers? and for future reference, maybe try to scuff the paint on the headers before spraying more stuff on... it helps with adhesion. just an idea though...

just wondering....why shorties? you will send much more noticealbe gains from longtubes. not trying to be rude at all just curious?

magnaflow for sure...thats my next move...i need to get rid of the flowmaster thats robbing my power lol. sounds great but doesnt do much for performance.