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Header onn!

7684 Views 35 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  AZ Sun Lover
Got my strup stainless steel header yesterday and put it on today. looks great. doesnt make it much louder but gives my exhust a little crackk to it. and you can feel a pretty good power gain.
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A header is just part of a system to manipulate the engine to breathe better (it is essentially an gas-powered air pump). What is being balanced is torque and horsepower across a pair of power curves.
What "helps" is how the various components work to shape the torque curve and horsepower curve. It is all in how the elements work together. Some specific components will work wonderful in certain combos and even hurt in other combos.

Everything is in what YOU want. How to achieve that would be nice w/ easy/cheap access to a dyno . . .

A header helps the out-flow of gasses/air from the engine to the exhaust system. A well designed one helps keep the flow smooth and even collection of said gasses for either optimum high-end power and/or mid-range. With an appropriate intake and exhaust system, it makes a huge difference. By itself w/ a stock intake and exhaust it is pointless.
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Just typing to help by adding into I happen to know in relation to comments made.

More (if one wants to read- then on relevant "blower" info)

The general "rule of thumb" is to mess w/ the intake and exhaust systems in this order:
Intake where filter is
Exhaust muffler
Decide is want to go "all engine" or w/ blower
If all engine:
Header (exhaust manifold)
Intake manifold
Engine internals

If turbo:
Turbo system (affects header AND intake system)
Engine internals
Bigger/higher compression turbo

If Supercharger:
Exhaust manifold
Basic Blower
Engine internals
Pulley changes to increase compression
Bigger blower
More internals and pulley changes

There are 2 types of "blowers," namely a turbocharger and a supercharger. Both use a compressor as part of the intake manifold to shove more air into the engine by compressing and mechanically increasing the volume of incoming air, working w/ the ECU to add more fuel as well to maintain the air/fuel mixture ratio.
The difference between an the 2 types of "blowers" is (in short) is how they spin the compressor:
A supercharger runs by a belt that ties into the engine's pulley/belt system that spins the compressor.
A turbo has what is basically a windmill in the exhaust manifold that is tied to the compressor in the intake manifold.

A supercharger is theoretically more efficient as it maintains a "clean" flow exhaust. It also spools instantly as it compresses at the same speed as the engine-b/c it runs directly off the main pulley that turns with the engine crank.
A turbo has a theoretically higher power potential, as it isn't limited to a belt and pulley to the spool up of the compressor. A turbo has a delay in its spool up, as it gets its spinning from the exhaust that has already left the engine. The amount of delay varies widely, due to many factors.
Now, the debate as to which is "better" is hot, heated, and is battled all over the automotive world.

For my own cars, I'd get a supercharger for my Miata and a turbo for my xB (IF I wanted to fork out the money for it). Each system suits that vehicle and my purposes better, besides there being GREAT relative systems readily available.
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As for supped up power, I'd rely on World/Descendant (Rado's company) for their recommendations on an auto. I know it will work (it's been done), but not sure about the difference compared to a manual in total power on the same set-up or other alterations recommended.
I'd like to add a header and/or change the stock muffler but am concerned about passing smog.
Just come to South Carolina . . .
NO smog test or vehicle inspection what so ever!
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