header or no header

[Jonathan12]

hey guys i just put a borla exhaust and a tsudo mid pipe on my 05 and i was wondering if a header would help or ruin the sound of it. how much do headers help and if i should get one what kind so yall recommend?

[CadenceScion]

A header is always a great upgrade, plus upping your horsepower and torque. The engine will perform and breathe a lot better with less restriction and more flow. The downside is added rasp, but that can be corrected by upgrading your OEM resonator w/ one from Magnaflow or a Moroso Spirial Flow. The longer the resonator, the less rasp and a much smoother tone. I will be upgrading my whole exhaust from the header back very soon, which is still OEM. On the flip side, I would recommend getting either a 4-2-1 header or a 4-1. The difference is going to be that a 4-1 header is better suited for mid-high end power range and a 4-2-1 header works for low-mid power range. If your looking to get a header here are the most popular ones being used by others:

* DC Sport
* Alphawerks
* Strup
* Weapon-R
* OBX
* Megan <------ don't buy it, cheap and won't last, poor quality.
* Raceland

If you do buy a header, I would highly suggest having the header jet-coated by Jet-Hot. The jet coating will help reduce engine temps, and you can choose the temperature protection you want as well as the coating. Well worth the investment, visit JETHOT The Hottest Header Coatings! Jet-Hot, jet coat, hot jet, headers, coatings, sterling, Header coating, Ceramic coating, corrosion protection, friction reduction, thermal barrier, Metallic Ceramic Coatings, MCCI, metallic ceramic, exhaust coatin for more info. * Some headers sold come w/ a CAT for emissions and an anti-fouler to eliminate a CEL (Check Engine Light). There should be a thread under the new members section that I posted not too long ago that gives a break down on some headers and what hp/torque they provide. If you can't find that thread let me know and I will give you the link, its very informative.

[mark_hou]

headers will give you a bit of performance that will change your car sound as well.

[navylife59]

The big difference between the OEM header and an aftermarket is the lack of a TWC (catalytic converter). Removal of this alters the sound of the exhaust and the amount of back pressure.

[navylife59]

You can run my Ghetto Resonator mod if your muffler has a silencer insert option. http://www.club-tc.com/forums/member...html#post40476 It has made a huge difference in sound quality w/o sacrificing too much with performance. In fact, it has restored lower-end throttle response as my 2.5"OD exhaust was too free flowing. Sound levels attenuated to a very acceptable level while still retaining a throaty idle and mean WOT. Highway cruise no longer reverberates the cabin forcing me to wear earplugs on long drives.