Doing some searches and it seems as if headers ALONE may not be worth the expense. I have read of gains from a low of 0 hp to maybe 12 hp.

My combo, Crawford Plenum and HFC. Z Tube.

Back in the day a car could pick up some decent power by going from a single exhaust to a true dual. I'm thinking that for a max gain of 12 hp I could maybe see that with a dual exhaust with a whole lot less work.

BTW. I just pulled AAM out of the air. I like the way the mufflers set transversely in the rear.

 

Headers go well with HFC's.

 

Sorry, I tried reading your sig, I'm not fully versed in abbreviations. What exhaust do you have???


I also know that as a system, my car needs headers, HFC or test pipes, and true dual. I know there are headers out there that are cheaper, aka less expensive, than a true dual. My time is very expensive and if it takes me longer than one work day to put in headers they aren't worth it.

 

Headers are a pain in the a** to install and if you plan on doing it yourself it might take a day or two and if you have a shop do the install they might charge you a pretty penny, sometimes as much as the headers cost. On the other hand a true dual exhaust is a few hours to install and not as expensive to have someone else install. It all depends on what you want.

 

If all you have is high flow cats, consider a y-pipe with headers. Will net you better gains than a standalone true dual exhaust, but the headers will cost a lot more on the install. Plus it'll let you retain a lot of the stock exhaust tone, just louder.

Y-pipe + headers + install or catback + install will probably both run you in the $1300-1500 range depending on installer fees and brand you choose.

 

yeah AAM posted up some genuine looking dynos in here of their 2.5 inch tests, Y-pipe, and single 3 inch back exhaust. Really ive wondered if a single 3 inch wouldnt do better than dual 2.5's or something. keep just enough back pressure for torque and enough flow for top end.

 

You will get more gains from a good exhaust.

Save headers for last.