How do headers affect sound

The goal of headers is to make it easier for the engine to push exhaust gases out of the cylinders. In a normal engine, once the exhaust gases exit the cylinder they end up in the exhaust manifold. I would say that a set of shorty headers would yield you a gain of about 5 horsepower. You can get a set of the Bassani headers , these are more like mid-length headers and should yield good gains in both torque and hp. Not as much as a set of long tubes but closer and they cost about the same as a set of JBA Shorties.

Headers take the place of your exhaust manifolds, which are the first part of your exhaust system between the cylinder heads and the front exhaust pipes. The benefits of exhaust headers Exhaust headers are one of the easiest bolt-on modifications you can make. Headers make it easier for your engine to push exhaust gases out of the cylinders. Your vehicle's engine produces all its power during the power stroke. Differences Between Stock and Performance Headers An aftermarket stock header deals with the exhaust gasses in a much more efficient way, which improves the overall performance of your engine.

Performance headers are more concerned with increasing performance rather than reducing the noise from the engine. Compared to your stock exhaust manifold, shorty headers still have a much longer tube. Unequal length headers offer a deeper rumbling sound and a little more low-end torque, but equal length headers offer greater performance gains consistently. Headers are aftermarket upgrade exhaust manifolds that use an individual steel tube for each cylinder. Another disadvantage of headers is that, due to their thinner walls, they do not absorb as much sound as cast iron exhaust manifolds , making them louder although some may see this an advantage.

Longtubes will always make the car a little louder and change the exhaust note. But, it is a very good change. Most of the headers are state street legal , which means that they don't interfere with pollution-controls on your vehicle. Some headers are designed for off-road or racing vehicles that are exempt from smog certification, so they are not street- legal. Headers will not hurt your engine. If anything you actually improve its longevity because you removed the restrictions. Its as if you were running with 5 lb ankle weights as Oem exhaust manifold.

Most shops charge about for a basic tune and up to for a full tune. Generally speaking a set of long tube headers on an American V8 can yield 20 to 30 HP without other modifications on vehicles with a stock exhaust system.

My recommendation is if u are happy with the sound don't do it. I bought the whole exhaust as a package and keep debating whether to put the stock header back in. Yuki Shiroi. Originally Posted by Yuki Shiroi. Are you for real right now? I changed out the muffler first, which sounded like a completely new exhaust noise and then when I changed the midpipe, it was like a completely new exhaust all over again..

They do increase noise level. But it much depends on whether the header has a cat or is catless, as cats cut down the noise and change the sound significantly, in general. And I would agree that a catless header would increase noise more than any other component. And then there's "quality of sound". Noise is not always good and not always bad. The simplest thing is find somebody with headers on NC and listen.

But the simple answer to your question - it will be louder and not in a pleasant way for the street, to my ears. You could put "upgrade" in quotes. I would. It's easy. Like the first sentence here. The pic is right.

The quote is wrong. But, may I ask as an owner of cars with and without a headers , what you think the "upgrade" gives you? Quantify it. Anything else I'm missing? Space under the hood? True, it does a little bit. I would do as others have said and meet up with a couple members from a local club that have different setups and see if you like how they sound first before investing the time and money into one. In the end, this is your car, do exactly what you want with it whether someone else feels it is worth your money and time to do or not and enjoy the drive.

What difference does it make the reason the OP wanted to know? The OP was asking about sound only; everything else is irrelevant.

Originally Posted by sholzy. Find More Posts by Storm Originally Posted by Storm With a header and full exhaust you may even hear more noise from the intake if you have one. Mid-tubes pack a little punch and meet some emission standards. Different style headers provide varying sounds and power. Mid-length headers give power ratios and sound qualities somewhat less than long tube headers.

Many people want their vehicle to sound good on the street, but in many cases, it can be unbearable inside the vehicle. Additionally, some states perform routine emissions testing and many headers will result in test failure.

Horsepower and torque is the biggest benefit to installing aftermarket headers. The installation of some headers reduces emission standards as well as the proper use of a catalytic converter, which is illegal in most areas.