How Much Horsepower Do Headers Really Add?

Performance Tuning
1

I’ve been diving into some modifications for my car and headers came up as a popular upgrade. However, I’m trying to find out exactly how much horsepower they add and in what contexts this increase might be noticeable.

Some Things I’m Curious About:

  • Stock vs Modified Engines: Do headers provide a significant boost on a stock engine compared to a modified one?
  • Type of Headers: Is there a difference in horsepower gains between shorty headers and long tube headers?
  • Real-World Experience: For those who have installed headers, what kind of performance improvements have you experienced?
  • Other Factors: How does the rest of the exhaust system play into potential horsepower gains?

I want to make sure I’m making a good decision for my vehicle. Any insights or calculations would be greatly appreciated!

2

I’ve seen that long-tube headers typically offer the best horsepower gains, especially for high-performance setups. They’re great for maximizing exhaust flow, but they can be a pain to install!

3

That’s true, but shorty headers can be really beneficial for low to mid-range torque, especially in street-driven applications. It all depends on what you’re looking for!

4

What about ram’s horn headers? I heard they can also help with certain setups. Anyone have experience with those?

5

Absolutely! Shorty headers are great if you don’t want to mess with emissions laws but still want a bit of a bump in performance.

6

I always thought the name ‘shorty’ sounds a bit funny. But seriously, I see how they could be useful in certain setups where clearance is an issue.

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7

Ram’s horn headers are often overlooked, but they can fit nicely on some classic builds, providing solid performance without too much hassle.

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8

I’m leaning towards long-tube headers for my LS swap. I’ve been reading that they can add up to 20-30 horsepower!

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9

That’s a solid choice! Don’t forget to consider the rest of your exhaust setup too; it all works together.

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10

Installing headers can be tricky! How do you guys handle the potential for clearance issues? I hear sometimes it’s a real headache.

11

So true! You can have the best headers, but if the rest of the system is choked up, you won’t see those gains.

12

Headers can really be the difference between a smooth ride and a raspy mess! Have you guys seen any comparisons of dyno results with different headers?

13

That would be super interesting! I bet the differences in gains could vary widely based on the engine type.

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14

Honestly, the fight between shorty and long-tube headers can get fierce! It’s like the age-old Coke vs. Pepsi debate among gearheads.

15

Exactly! Engine sizes, types, and even the purpose of your vehicle should all be considered when picking headers.

16

Headers can add significant horsepower, but the actual gain depends on many factors like engine type and modifications. For example, a performance-oriented small block might see more benefits than a stock setup.

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17

That’s a great point! I’m curious about how much the exhaust system plays into this. Do certain headers work better with specific exhaust setups?

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18

Absolutely! The design of the exhaust system can make or break the performance gains from headers. For instance, if your backpressure is too high, it can negate the benefits of the headers.

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19

In my experience, with a turbo setup, headers provide fantastic gains! However, with a naturally aspirated engine, I didn’t see as much improvement. It’s all about the compatibility of your components.

20

That makes sense. I’ve also heard that the quality of the headers matters too. Cheaper headers might not yield the same results as high-end options. Anyone have thoughts on this?