First off, I have searched and havent found anything conclusive...

2 questions:

Do all headers produce more rasp?

What would headers gain on a setup with aftermarket parts already (intake, plenum, catback, high flow cats/test pipes)? The headers wouldnt gain nearly as much as just adding headers alone correct?

Sorry if i missed a thread, but i've searched for a total of maybe 3 hours and havent found anything conclusive on either of these questions.

 

Headers and rasp? Headers don't make any sound. The exhaust system does. Adding headers will change how the exhaust sounds. Some members describe the sound as rasp or buzz. The reason that the description is not conclusive is because they sound different to different people. Listen before buying.

Adding headers will change the torque and horsepower curves. Every set up is different, so the results will be difference. Generally, headers add both peak torque and horsepower.

Concerning headers and performance, check my recent time slips in drag racing.

 

bump

 

I'll chime in and call it "rasp." I define it as a tinny, flatulent sound that, depending on your setup, will rear its ugly head somewhere between 2-4k rpm.

Understand that each component of the stock system has been tuned to acheive that unique "Z" sound and eliminate any undesirable sounds. In particular, the headers and cats together seem to be resposible for eliminating the rasp entirely.

Some claim their setup doesn't rasp, but that is very subjective. I've yet to hear anything but a stock+catback sound 100% clean.

 

I'll second that...
I'm too lazy to find my thread in this area and post about the Strups I have on my G. Go find it though and you will get my full review...

 

the test pipes will contribute far more to a raspy sound than any other exhaust component.

with that said, most headers will have good gains in the top end. the better designed ones will also produce good mid-range gains.

with all the boltons you already have, dont expect much in the way of power from them. but it may change the shape of your curve drastically.

 

Agreed...with my Topspeed header install, I noticed more part-throttle improvement, but tapered off at full-throttle telling me I probably need tuning. The biggest noticeble performance change was throttle response...almost zero delay now.

 

hrmmm, thanks... I will try to find that write up on the rasp. It seems like the rasp isnt that bad correct? I have read many reviews claiming rasp, and many that notice a deeper sounding exhaust note and not a hint of rasp. If its all perception, and maybe having a bit to do with your own exhaust set up, then the rasp it will produce might not be too bad? ---- just an assumption.

Oh, and is the rasp a constant? Or is it sometimes there, sometimes not? I have a slight rasp when my car is cold... and then thats about it.



As for the power gains, as i've read, it seems that headers with other bolt ons dont produce as much power. Very interesting that it will change my power curve drastically. Would this be in a good way or a bad way?



All in all, it seems hard to justify the installation cost of headers... anyone disagree with this comment?

 

Interesting. I have topspeed headers sitting around. Im deciding between reselling them or installing them.... would you say that the installation was worth it?

 

sell it and get something else.

 

I've never heard of headers causing 'rasps' it's normally a sound created by non resonated test pipes as it labors to exhale all the back pressure. Besides FI, good gains will result in breathing mods up in the engine bay.

 

If I had it to do over again, probably wouldn't bother, although I plan on getting an NA tune and I may change my opinion if I have better results than others have had without headers.

As far as build quality, they are identical to all the other nismo clones out there: Alphaworks, Strupp, DC. The only advantage to one over the other that I've seen is that DC goes the extra mile to smooth out the welds on the interior of the collector.

 

Yes. Those members who have headers will disagree.

 

I pretty much have to agree with that. I just don't see how the hell you can install one, even if the fitment is great and all that. Install is around 400 bux. You're looking at 10 whp and about even torque (optimistically speaking) for around $1200. A lot don't jive well with Fi, either.

 

^^^

i wasn't happy about the install cost, but if i had to do it again i would in a heartbeat. Love the extra power and the sound. Ooooooh, how the car rumbles at idle now, hehe.

 

For the past year, i refuse to cough up $300-$400 for header installation cost. Finally i did it yesterday and i love it. For example, people buy $350 for 06 headlight that give out 0hp gain or $250 for a JIC strut bar (0hp gain)

Bottom line, it's worth the money to install a header.

 

Hey Bubble, how are those strup headers working out? Can you feel a big improvement?

Arin

 

Actually, I gained like 3hp/4tq, but it mirrored the before dyno. It didn't reshape my curve at all.

That being said, I probably would not do the headers again unless I just forked out the extra $800 for maybe the Crawfords. They porobably have better gains than any other brand, but with $500 for the headers and $400 for an install, you could amost get a utec which would have done so much more. Anyway, $400 is worth installing headers: they are a complete beeeyotch on most cars, and especially so on ours...

As far as sound, it isn;t raspy annoying. I'd freak if it was. Additionally, I really do not believe the Strups changed any tone of the exhaust, it's just I can hear the "tin-like" whooshy rasp kinda thing on acceleration, especially at lower speed and in 4th or 5th...

 

The sound much deeper. I can feel it pulls harder. However, i have some hissing sound at tap off when i rev. I guess this happen because more air flows now and the Borla's pipe is not thick enough hence the hissing sound created? I will change exhaust and will have the full review on STRUP.

Also, the technician said STRUP header's fitment is prettyyyyyyy good. Just slap on.

 

I'm just going to suck it up and install it myself. Those Nismo clones that are just as good as Nismo, DC, Strup, etc. are going for a little as 128 shipped now, and I have lots of friends with the right tools to get it done. So install being free for me, 128 bucks is definately worth it.