~!UPDATE!~ Headers anyone?
Those are pretty cool, but that price needs to come way down. I would like to see some gains like the comptech headers on the CL-S. However, I also think that the air flow is probably already pretty good.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Dallas, Tejas. (Yeeha, y'all)
uh, right. 2k? that's 1/13th the price of some peoples Zs. I dont know why aftermarket folks think they can charge so much for headers. Some of those Japanparts.com prices are just retarded. Trying to charge BMW-like prices on a sub 36k car just isn't gonna work. I dont think Top Secret got the memo.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 806
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From: Gainesville, Florida
Originally posted by nosuchsol
Uh, to refine your statement S/C with stock headers will not allow for the highest gains possible. You want the flow to be impeded as little as possible. The problem that comes in when using the S/C is that the exhaust can't escape fast enough and with an even, smooth flow. However, it depends on how well the stockers are refined.
Just an FYI, since Forced Induction(FI) contains both Turbo and S/C'ing then that distinction should be made. If you turbocharge your car you'll be replacing your headers with a manifold allowing your exhaust gasses to spin the turbine and then exit out a downpipe, through the cats(or testpipe), and out the rest of the exhaust system. That's a really low level explanation but should shed some light on that subject.
Uh, to refine your statement S/C with stock headers will not allow for the highest gains possible. You want the flow to be impeded as little as possible. The problem that comes in when using the S/C is that the exhaust can't escape fast enough and with an even, smooth flow. However, it depends on how well the stockers are refined.
Just an FYI, since Forced Induction(FI) contains both Turbo and S/C'ing then that distinction should be made. If you turbocharge your car you'll be replacing your headers with a manifold allowing your exhaust gasses to spin the turbine and then exit out a downpipe, through the cats(or testpipe), and out the rest of the exhaust system. That's a really low level explanation but should shed some light on that subject.
This would be waste of money for you, if you DO infact decide to turbocharge.
Headers also have the ability for you to target the area of your powerband that you want to reshape by the design of the headers. 4-2-1 headers get most of their gains in the midrange, while 4-1 headers get most of their gains in the top end.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: San Fran
Actually space on the Z is so tight down there I cant see you getting much more than the shorty log type turbo manifold that Greddy had on their Z at the SEMA show, I dont even know if there would be enough room for a true equal legnth header down there
I dont know how many of you have actually taken a look at the stock exhaust manifolds but...........headers on this car will be a nice gain if done properly. We removed our engine.
If i had a choice between spending $ on an exhaust system or just the headers on this car........you will see more gains with the headers.
Yes they might be a tad expensive but...they are also the first ones on the market so they can charge what they want.
CAI will probably be around $300 and you might only see a gain of 5-8 maybe.
Exhaust systems are $1000 to $1500 and seeing a gain of only 5 or less.
$1800 might not be a bad price for the net gain %.
just my 2 cents.
If i had a choice between spending $ on an exhaust system or just the headers on this car........you will see more gains with the headers.
Yes they might be a tad expensive but...they are also the first ones on the market so they can charge what they want.
CAI will probably be around $300 and you might only see a gain of 5-8 maybe.
Exhaust systems are $1000 to $1500 and seeing a gain of only 5 or less.
$1800 might not be a bad price for the net gain %.
just my 2 cents.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Frisco, TX
Originally posted by krinkov
Michael, the 350Z has exhaust manifolds, and niether they nor the headers pictured are equal length
Michael, the 350Z has exhaust manifolds, and niether they nor the headers pictured are equal length
In the "Lust, Then Love" book, on page 86, the sidebar "The Sound of Z Power" says "The 350Z's exhaust has reduced back pressure and is freer flowing than in any other Nissan. Its equal-length exhaust-manifold branches feed a large-diameter single pipe, which flutes to dual outlets aft of the rear axle."
The picture in following page shows the engine w/ it and they do look equal-length. The Top Secret ones do look nicer.
I don't mean to sound skeptical. I just think some mods work better on some cars than others. I installed STILLEN headers on my 96 NA and it didn't gain jack on the dyno. I paid $450 for the stainless steel headers and another $400 in labor for something basically lighter than the stock cast-iron exhaust manifolds. They *did* look nice though. Too bad the engine bay was so cramped that you couldn't see'em.
Also, if you read any of the NSX forums, then you'll learn that one of the differences between the 270hp 3.0L and 290hp 3.2L is that the 3.2L comes w/ "headers" from the factory and there's not much gain, if any, from going aftermarket. Hell, some 3.0L owners replace their exhaust manifolds w/ the ones from the 3.2L.
Alas, I'm rambling. I'm gonna wait until somebody shows me some dyno proven gains w/ any sort of 350 headers before I take the dive. Unless, of course, Skidazzle, in some freaky way, fabricates some knockoffs at 1/10 the price and installs'em for me. Like his earthing system, I ain't got nothing to lose if the deal is *that* sweet.
Michael.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Frisco, TX
Originally posted by dwnshift
Its not what the stock exhaust manifolds look like on the outside that scares me.............look in then write me back.
Its not what the stock exhaust manifolds look like on the outside that scares me.............look in then write me back.
Michael.
I can just say that there will be gains with the right set of headers.
I cant give away all the secrets now can I?????????
6 weeks from this Friday..............................
phazzzze two will be complete!
and back we go to Daytona.....
I cant give away all the secrets now can I?????????
6 weeks from this Friday..............................
phazzzze two will be complete!
and back we go to Daytona.....
Phaze 2 will be the biggest change to our beloved Z..........We are going to be very busy in about 4 weeks because we will be moving into our brand spanking new shop (pictures to come later) and putting the pcs back together.......yes again.
We will be testng for 3 days at Daytona next time around but everyone always gets faster over the winter.
We will be testng for 3 days at Daytona next time around but everyone always gets faster over the winter.
yes I could................. but the enemy is out there.
stock is 287 so..............
somewhere between 288 and 1,000 but probably closer to the first than the later.
I think we will be happy with phaze 2 if everything works like it should. We should be where we need to be against the competition.
Its not just in power but handling, brakes and aero.
stock is 287 so..............
somewhere between 288 and 1,000 but probably closer to the first than the later.
I think we will be happy with phaze 2 if everything works like it should. We should be where we need to be against the competition.
Its not just in power but handling, brakes and aero.
Last edited by dwnshift; Nov 19, 2002 at 06:46 PM.