I want headers for my car, but I read alot of posts on here about guys loosing power after the install or the car not running right. If I install the headers ....where can I take it for the tune??? If I run LT's with an ORY and a TSP Rumbler catback ( same as SLP Loudmouth) will there be enough back pressure for optimum performance? Thanks guys!

 

Not sure about where you can get your car tuned cause obviously, I'm not from there. Backpressure won't be too much of an issue. My car actually feels stronger downlow than it did before now that it got tuned.

 

it might depend on the car. when i got my headers installed i felt a difference right away, even with the cutout closed.

ran 13.69 @ 103 with a filter and muffler

ran 13.008 @ 107 with all of my current mods, so no power loss here

 

I have heard a lot of people losing low end power after header installation too. One guy even said that he could chirp his tires hitting second and third, but after the long tube headers, he couldn't. Maybe a tune is needed. The only reason I haven't installed longtubes and ory yet is because I'm scared of losing any low end power.

 

why would low end power loss have any affect on chirping tires?? unless he's shifting at 2000rpms. last time i tried to chirp tires i was well above 4K...not exactly low end.

i noticed a bit of a difference in the low end of the power band...say...below 2000rpms. seems a bit more sluggish pulling out in 1st from a stop. but 2k is quickly passed in 1st gear

to take FULL advantage of headers a tune is a good idea, but they will still benefit the car and add hp.

 

OK we have established headers are obviuosly doing the engine good or nobody would install them. As far as the tune, can i get that done when they dyno the car?

 

qoute me if im wrong but i thought back pressure was the enemy here? i thought the more backpressure you had the more power you lose?

 

Every car is different. I didn't really see any gains until I got my car tuned. Gained 3 mph and .3 tenths after tuning.

 

less back pressure increases hp to a point...but too much loss can rob hp also....otherwise we would all be running open headers with 6" collectors

if the dyno is capable of tuning, then yes you can have it done then. if all they are doing is measureing power, and dont have the software to modify the computer...than find another place

 

just got my flowtech headers in yesterday, along with the fast toys ram air kit, whisper lid, and random tech cats. susposed to have the headers installed wed. but i'll just have to wait and see if that goes through. the place im going has a full dyno tuning system so im hoping to see some hp #'s. one question though... am i better off buying a y-pipe from flowtech or slp, or am i going to get the same performace from having one custom made? the guy their at the shop said he could have me one for about 80$.

 

We opened up the headers completely (yes, I mean wide open headers, no exhaust) on my Dad's '73 while at the track. Ran mid-low 13's @ ~104 - 105 with the exhaust on, then got 12.79 @ 109.72 after!!! Tell me where the power loss is, when we picked up almost 5 mph?!

People who actually believe that LT headers cause power loss are on crack. Same goes with wanting too much backpressure. YES, the engine needs a little bit, but when I put a pair of hi-flow cats onto my '81 (1 in each pipe, directly off the headers) it felt like the car was towing a freight train afterwards.

If it weren't for emissions and sound regulations, I'd run wide open exhaust all the time!!

 

You'd definetly have some ticked off neighbors

 

i have had clearance issues with my flowtech y pipe. so if you can get another y pipe to work with your setup i would do so.

mine bangs and rattle underneath the car.

i work at a dealer and the techs said that there is not too much room for adjustments. went to a muffler shop that does custome exhaust work, and they had bad news for me too.

sucks

 

Getting a full bolt on car dyno tuned is not a bad idea either way, most people see a 10-12 hp increase.