93-02 V6 Tech V6 Camaro General Topics.

stock headers or aftermarket?

Old Nov 19, 2011 | 08:21 PM
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Default stock headers or aftermarket?

hey all this is my first post here so sorry if this has been asked before.

I have a 95 camaro 3.4l which has developed a air leak in the header. I have been looking online and have found pacesetter headers for just under $300. which seems a bit costly. On the other hand I also found the some stock ones for under $50. My question is, is it worth the money to get the pacesetter headers or should I just go with used stock ones?

My exhaust is currently stock.

thanks in advance.
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 09:54 AM
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If you are planning any future mods then just headers by themselfs is not going to gain much and it will mean you need to do both sides. I would not bother with the headers.

If you plan on a Cat back perforance exhaust it might be worth it.
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 10:12 AM
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is this leak in the exhaust manifold or the header pipe, or the gasket?
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 12:13 PM
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Agree with Gorn; I ordered a high flow cat, magnaflow catback, and headers all at once. Headers add more intake and exhaust flow, if there's nothing helping that flow after it leaves the headers then it's basically pointless. If you can pinpoint where the leak is (you just said air so im assuming intake manifold?) it would be alot easier on you if you just replace the manifold that's leaking
 

Last edited by iLL95; Nov 24, 2011 at 10:13 PM.
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by iLLControl
Agree with Gorn; I ordered a high flow cat, magnaflow catback, and headers all at once. Headers add more intake and exhaust flow, if there's nothing helping that flow after it leaves the headers then it's basically pointless. If you can pinpoint where the leak is (you just said air so im assuming intake manifold?) it would be alot easier on you if you just replace the header that's leaking
The header does not add more INTAKE flow their completly seperate from intake manifolds aftermarket intakes help intake flow and after market headers help more exhaust gasses escape and help EXHAUST flow.. and just because he said "air" dosent mean its the intake manifold, "air" leaks out of the exhaust manifolds too. and since he already said the air is cming from his header he means his exhaust manifold..

To the OP like above if you plan on running a cat back exhaust and doing other mods to the engine than yes headers are going to make a differance, if you just wanting to run a stock motor than keep it stock with oem exhaust manifolds.
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by IdriveDSM08
The header does not add more INTAKE flow their completly seperate from intake manifolds aftermarket intakes help intake flow and after market headers help more exhaust gasses escape and help EXHAUST flow.. and just because he said "air" dosent mean its the intake manifold, "air" leaks out of the exhaust manifolds too. and since he already said the air is cming from his header he means his exhaust manifold..

To the OP like above if you plan on running a cat back exhaust and doing other mods to the engine than yes headers are going to make a differance, if you just wanting to run a stock motor than keep it stock with oem exhaust manifolds.
???? if you have better exhaust flow and (back pressure) you do increase air intake flow during the overlap of the intake and exhaust valves. there for he is correct. if that wasnt the case why get headers? if all headers did was let exhaust flow better how are you creating more power? =increased air intake flow. now on a 3.4 liter that increase is not substantial because of the restrictive iron heads. aftermarket exhaust.= the faster the exhaust can escape the faster fresh air can get in.
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by IdriveDSM08
The header does not add more INTAKE flow their completly seperate from intake manifolds aftermarket intakes help intake flow and after market headers help more exhaust gasses escape and help EXHAUST flow.. and just because he said "air" dosent mean its the intake manifold, "air" leaks out of the exhaust manifolds too. and since he already said the air is cming from his header he means his exhaust manifold..

To the OP like above if you plan on running a cat back exhaust and doing other mods to the engine than yes headers are going to make a differance, if you just wanting to run a stock motor than keep it stock with oem exhaust manifolds.
 
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 08:05 PM
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yes it allows for more air but isnt truly efficiant until aftermarket intake is applied. headers without an intake isnot letting it flow that much better just increasing its ability to flow. its like headers with stock exhaust, the headers allow for more air to flow but with stock exhaust is still met with restriction and not fully utilized without aftermarket exhaust. get what im tryin to say?
 
Old Nov 24, 2011 | 01:09 AM
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To sum it all up for jd236, if you plan on adding other mods (cat-back exhaust, cai, p/p intake, etc.) then getting headers will be beneficial to you. If you plan on leaving the car stock, then purchasing a stock manifold will be just fine. Just make sure it's actually the manifold and not the gasket that's causing the leak.
 
Old Nov 24, 2011 | 06:40 PM
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Thanks for all the great replies. And yes a "header" is what most consider the very first tubes leading exhaust gases from the engine.

I have not had the time to look and see if it gasket or actual header that is leaking but I was trying to assume worst case senario.

I currently have a CAI and do intend on doing mods in the future to my 3.slow err i mean 3.4 =)

I also have an oil leak I need to investigate but again thanks for all the replies.
 

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