Was thinking this would be a good thread to start as I have not really seen this issue addressed yet.

I know the folks at Momentum do not specify what kind of compatibility their kits have with any other headers on the market besides the stock manifold and their own (beautiful....but pricey) set. Any momentum owners care to share their experiences regarding fitment with other aftermarket headers and if it's a solid upgrade to have with FI.

I'm installing the momentum kit this winter and am on the fence about the headers..... would love to get the Momentums' but not sure if I can swing the tag.

Thanks fellas.

 

They fit good on my car I had national speed install mine 3yrs ago. I will have mine for sale in a few weeks I'm switching to longtubes if your interested.

3 yrs ago I bought the headers used with plans to get their turbo kit later, I changed my mind and decided to stay N/A.

 

Personally if I were installing momentum's kit I would only either use the stock manifold or their headers... They built them to complement the kit, whereas any other headers might have clearance issues with the kit and you could wind up spending a shitload on some headers only to find out they wont work without being modified and rewelded.

IMHO I would hold the install off until you could afford the headers from Momentum.

Good luck with what you decide

 

You can definitely use other headers, but they had not taken the time or had the resources to check all the headers on the market to see if they fit with their kit.

While I was working there, it was a standard to tell installers that they're on their own to check fitment since the kit was initially designed to work with oem manifolds.

 

Ya, solid advice. I'm inclined to stick with Momentum as well but curious as to what other options may be out there and how it sounds. And are the gains with headers on a FI car really worth the cost? I've heard different things from different people.

 

And what brand are they? PM me with how much your looking to sell for.

 

I installed Megan header (came across a great deal) and they were bolt on with the BP turbo kit. I have a bit more room to work with too, because the exhaust part of the kit does not enter the tight engine bay. They definitely flow better than stock, as any aftermarket header would. DC headers are also a great option, and are half the cost of Momentum.

If you plan on building the engine down the road, get a set of headers then. For 400whp and a stock block the OEM header will do the job, just not as efficiently as an aftermarket set.

Keep in mind that any time you have a header built, the welding alone will change the shape, and size of the entire piece. Stainless for example can shrink 6% during welding and can distort. So a perfectly fitted/tacked piece will change shape/size after welding. When I weld a set of pipes for a turbo kit, I will weld everything up solid, and then add the flanges last, and this is where one can compensate and retain perfect fitment every time.

 

Ya i'm personally looking to get between 430 and 450 using a good tune, headers, intake manifold, and exhaust.

 

Unless you are building up your engine..turbo and other FI mods,I just don't see the
logic and cost effectiveness to spend big bucks on the headers and install for what,
10 extra hp?The stock headers are pretty efficient.
Save your money.

 

 

It has nothing to do with extra HP, and all to do with flow. Once you start changing engine compression things tend to change a lot. The OEM header has an 8” long section that measures only 1.5” in diameter, and you will not flow all that much exhaust gas through there.

I would post dyno numbers but I see that I my stalker is on my heels again, and then this thread will turn in to a **** show, and I don’t want that.

I have had customers with stock blocks, and OEM headers make 400whp on DD. Some others with a larger turbo and a built low compression engine struggle to get over 400 with those same OEM headers and the same dyno/tuner.

 

It seems to me that forced induction would benefit greatly from the increased airflow. Like you said, the diameter of the stock manifold is pretty small... and i would think that would cause a bottleneck in a build with intake manifold, turbo, exhaust, etc.

 

So that's it? No other experiences out there? Talk about uncharted territory.

 

^There's a member of the community who tends to get rude and confrontational with members who are doing nothing more than exploring new techniques to make our vehicles more fun and benefit the community. I've seen it on more than 1 occasion.
Just like in Call of Duty, you can choose to push the mute button and take the high road.

 

I see what you did there..

 

i still dont quite get how if aftermarket header align with the stock muffler and the momentum headers align with the stock muffler, why is there a question if they will line up with the turbo kit?

 

Right,,,, maybe just the angles and shape from point A (block) to b (exhaust hookup).

 

As mentioned earlier, stainless will move/pull in all directions when being welded. So it may be a perfect fit when tacked, and may be way off once welded solid. Flex pipes are important, as they eliminate this problem to a degree.

 

No one using Momentum headers?

I just finished my install, passenger side went fairly smooth. Drivers side was a nightmare especially the first two lower studs. One thing i had noticed is that the first primary that wraps behind the others touches the engine mount. Anyone else notice this?