OK hopefully these are new and improved header questions that no one has ever thought of anyways first question is it worth it putting headers on if i dont plan on getting an exhaust anytime soon? the 8-12hp gain most promise is just a header without i/E? i have a K&N drop in and i dont want an exhaust now and it wouldnt be cat back if i wind up getting one anyways so is a header still worth it? also theres a new brand on ebay DRAG SUS and the guys got good feedback i was thinking about being the lab rat for this new header. also do you guys use the new gaskets or the oem ones when u put in the new headers.

 

No. Sorry. These are not new questions. But, yes. Headers are DEFINITELY worth it w/o the exhaust. IMO, I lost a little torque down low with the headers eventhough I gained ALOT up top. And an exhuast would only sacrifice more low-end torque. So in my mind there is no point in doing the exhaust as our cars already have very good systems (unless your trying to rice it out).

I personally used the new gaskets that came with the headers, but I have heard that you can use the originals if you want.

 

so there was a good gain up top im guessing? what brand did u go with? i have the crank pulley that should make up for a lil low end loss in the headers

 

ya you get really good gains up after VTEC - felt like a new engine when mine were put on. The stock exhaust is fine unless you plan on adding a S/C or some other FI system. I ran mine with the stock intake w/o the resonator and a K&N for a while, but when I put on the V2 intake, I really could tell the engine worked better again.

 

Damn straight.

Although engine performance is all about better breathing in and out, our stock exhaust system seems to be quite efficient at channeling the spent gases. I still don't have an exhaust system on my car, mostly because I don't think it's worth the money for a few horses and the sound. But like ou sig said, unless you go FI, you won't absolutely NEED an exhaust system.

Go for it; but make sure it's from a good brand. Otherwise you could have fitment, resonance and cracking issues. I opted to go with the OBX SS headers because they are 1/3 of the price of Comptech headers; I didn't have a fitment issue, but there was a resonance for a while which is now gone, but now I have a cracked center pipe on the front bank header. Comptech headers will drastically reduce the chances of these problems occurring.

 

comptech and alphawerks are the best for nonissues

 

the 8-12hp gain most promise is just a header without i/E

you should get 18-20whp from headers and 23-25hp at the crank(but whop cares about crank HP anyway)

 

I am always surprised that people ask these questions here when the FACTS, i.e., dynographs, are available at the CompTech web site. On a '99 with headers and axle back exhaust system (NO intake and NOT a cat back system) the max hp gain is 17.9 at 6750 rpm. There's a SLIGHT loss of hp and torque (0.4) at 4750 rpm, but gains every where else on the rpm scale.

 

i gained 18whp with just an AEM V1 intake. i lost MAYBE 2ft/lbs of torque down low (which is impossible for the average person to notice) but i gained nearly 20ft/lbs at my top end. i have megans and i love them. no complaints at all from me right now. i highly recommend headers. best mod i have ever done to any car i ever owned. check out my dyno threads if you're interested.

SSTS