What do you guys think which headers are the best? Crawford? Borla? Nismo? DC SPORTS?? Anyone??? Im looking for headers as well as a new exhaust and maybe a new plenum. So was just wondering which were good to buy. Also, which is better or more reliable, Ceramic or Ss? Thanks
350zttnis

 

Both SS and Ceramic are reliable. I know that some drag cars use ceramic headers. The only real difference is the looks. The ceramic will rust after time but should not hurt the quality itself. If you want a show quality the go with SS. Personlly I went with Ceramic cuz you cant evenn see the headers anyways. I have the DC Sports and I love em

 

Search results for headers.

https://my350z.com/forum/search.php?...der=descending

Ceramic is a coating, not a material that headers are made of.

The 350EVO raceteam went from NISMO headers to XERD, and now they are running Crawfords. They are so impressed with the Crawfords that they order 4-5 sets!!!

Go with Crawford aka "Medusa" headers.

http://www.crawfordzcar.com

 

I'm holding out for the 350Evo headers...

 

Yeah, you said that about a molded aluminum plenum...

... and what did you buy?

 

The ceramic coating is used (in part) to prevent rusting.

 

certain race teams use ceramic headers...which are different than the ceramic-coated mild-steel headers available for this car. Crawfords seem to be the best choice in terms of HP, DC seems to be the best cost-effective choice. Everything else is in the middle. Xerd headers force you to run with no cats...but if you dont care those are good too.

 

Crawford Headers are by far the best IMO. Worth every penny. If you are going to spend the money or take the time to install headers, you might as well install the best

 

What would be ideal is Crawford in SS - That's why I went with Nismos - as the SS would withstand seasonal weather better over the years.

Nismos are also equal length...

 

crawfords are equal length as well...if you have the budget i would say crawford or nismo

i got the ss dc sports for 360 shipped....an offer i couldn't refuse...i will post a review when i get them installed...out

 

It is my opinion that Crawford's are stainless steel, just not polished stainless, but stainless none the less.

Lou

 

Crawford's Headers are not SS - I pleaded Doug for a pair but the welding process is different, and the cost would approach $2K.

WRT Stainless...

There's T304 Stainless which polishes shiny, and is very rust resistant but more flexible and harder to work with and there's T409 which stays dull, is slightly less rust resistant but stronger structurally, and slightly easier to work with
FYI.

And if your really extreme - go to the JDM market for some titanium headers!

 

OK - If there not SS, what are they? The pipes on my Crawford Cats are stainless.

Lou

 

The cats are stainless yes - the headers ain't. They're just good ol' steel. I'm not sure what grade but I have never seen Doug skimp on materials. In my last post, I should have described the welding AND the bending process with SS is what's different methinks.

Unless you live where you get salted roads it shouldn't matter. I unfortunately do. And yes, stainless is rust-proof, but not 100% rustproof - it will eventually rust as well...

 

I like my stillen heaers, look and perform beautifully

 

409 is considered a poor mans stainless as it contains a lot of carbon and will surface rust. 304 is best for a show finish but is not the best choice for exhaust components. 316, 321 and 347 will not rust. 316 is generally used for food grade applications and hospital environments. 321 and 347 are best for exhaust because they do not work harden, will not rust and they dissipate the heat extremely well. 347 is considered more of an exotic and price wise is up there with titanium and inconnel....

Also, equal length is not as important as flow. If bends, twists and turns are needed to add length then the flow characteristics are compromised. Air flows best in a straight line, thus it is better to get the exhaust from point A to point B as quickly and straightforwardly as possible...

 

It depends on your criteria for which are the best. Are you looking for the best performance gains or something that fits well and will last? It you are just looking for the best gains, XERD are tops. They are the only long tube header on the market. They have equal length tubes with shallow bends, so you aren't going to do any better. The downside for some is that you lose your cats. Now that they just plug into the ODBII port and check codes here, there is no problem.

If you don't go the XERD route, get hi-flow cats or smooth tubes when you get your headers. Most should be pretty good. Personally, Ive had problems with Stillen exhaust parts before so I would avoid them. The Stillen Y-pipe on my Maxima cracked 3 times. The sould insulation in the Stillen exhaust I had broke down into a sand substance. When I took it off and shook it, it sounded like a salt shaket. I am sure other people had better experiences, but having 2 products from one vender go bad and I have lost my respect for them.

The stock 4 cats are the most restrictive parts in the exhaust. They are far more restrictive than the stock manifolds and Y-pipe. You really won't get much gains from a set of headers without replaceing them. Last, make sure whatever exhaust you go with that it is a true dual for good flow.

 

Also, Ive seen alot of problems with Kinetix plenums, but heard their resonated test pipes are awsome. Should i also go with a Crawford plenum??

 

Oh yes, Do Go with the Crawford Plenum. IMO, it's still the best bang for the buck out there. I spoke to Doug last week, and he's pretty backed up with orders right now, and again he's having a problem with folks not returning their cores. The day we spoke, he told me he only got one core back, and was owed about 40. So guys - GET YOUR CORES BACK TO DOUG!

Thanks

Lou

 

Yet another vote for the Crawford headers.
You just can't go wrong.