Headers

[NGOT8R]

I'm looking at doing headers too, now.
I'm going ESS g3 120mm next week and running the stock headers for now. I have Stainless Works cat back and sounds really good. I want to go to an aftermarket catted setup at some point, but do not want it to be obnoxiously loud. So not sure what to look at. And unsure of going with SW again after the initial issues I had with the exhaust being welded wrong.

I keep seeing posts that you need headers if your boosted and others saying you don't. If they constantly install the Roush and Whipples at Ford, why aren't they ever changing headers?

This is my daily and I'm not drag racing or tracking the shit out of it. 60-130s though. And do run it hard at times when cruising back roads as we have some phenomenal driving out by me. Do I need to change them? Or would the stock headers be ok for a bit?

Keep in mind that cats and boost may eventually lead to cat failure. I fell victim to that with nitrous.

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[RiotfunK]

You don't need them. But many people add them as they give you more power and you may burn up the stock cats with the blower. So if you install headers without cats, you don't have to worry about that.

Cant run without cats where I live. Will play the wait and see game then.

 

[TEAsGrabber]

Kooks built me a set of 2" primary tube headers for my 71 Maverick Grabber back in 1995......they were expensive as hell, BUT the fit like a glove......did NOT have to touch the shock towers etc. They even sent me a milled down spark-plug socket so I could access the plugs without un-bolting the motor mounts and lifting each side of the motor. They alone picked up 6/10ths over the set I had fabricated locally in Seattle. Worth every penny and they were at that time a work of art! Spend the $$$$....buy Kooks!

 

[robvas]

Cant run without cats where I live. Will play the wait and see game then.

You can buy headers with cats as well.

 

[RiotfunK]

You can buy headers with cats as well.

I know you can. Just saying I cant go catless

 

[junits15]

Cant run without cats where I live. Will play the wait and see game then.

If you have to have cats another member has had very good luck with GT500 cats. Its a lot of custom fab work to get them in but they will stand up to boost very well.

He did it on stock headers though so there may be clearance issues on LTH. If you run cats I would use a header that has a name-brand converter in it not just a "sport cat", they will unspool and the core will block up.

The ideal cat is a GESi G sport UHO Gen 2 with the s-wound core to hold up to the high flow better.

 

[RiotfunK]

If you have to have cats another member has had very good luck with GT500 cats. Its a lot of custom fab work to get them in but they will stand up to boost very well.

He did it on stock headers though so there may be clearance issues on LTH. If you run cats I would use a header that has a name-brand converter in it not just a "sport cat", they will unspool and the core will block up.

The ideal cat is a GESi G sport UHO Gen 2 with the s-wound core to hold up to the high flow better.

Is there some you'd recommend. I'd rather have something bolt up than have to fab up some pricey GT500 ones.

 

[junits15]

Is there some you'd recommend. I'd rather have something bolt up than have to fab up some pricey GT500 ones.

https://kooksheaders.com/1-7-8-hdr-w-conn3173

I'm sure the other big names have similar stuff, I have kooks so its all I can recommend without speculating. I am NA too so I can't comment on boost handling.

Also It looks like the s-wound core is now on all GESI cats, so depending on what kooks has in stock you may end up getting the better version. Nice!

And looks like Kooks has upgraded the headers to the Gen 2 model, mine are 300 CPI, and they now state 400 CPI which points to the Gen 2 converters.

 

[Good_ol_Dave]

I went with Ultimate Headers. I would say they are one of the top tier brands. If you’re going to run a SC down the road, be aware that the cats probably won’t hold up for long. I have nitrous on my car and I blew the cats out during a pass at the drag strip. It was at that same time that I noticed cracked welds on the mid pipe. I ended up having vibrant mini race mufflers welded into the mid pipe, as well as the cracked welds repaired.

I second this statement. Get the cat deletes for ultimate headers. I blew an engine due to their cats. Headers are great.

 

[K Myers]

Good day everyone I have been searching around and want to get everyone’s take on what brand headers you recommend. Looking at Kooks, SW, SP, and American Racing. I do plan on one day going SC but that will not be for some time(years). Is it worth the price for Kooks HO Greencats over some of the more budget friendly options out there?

My end state for exhaust is Long Tube with Borla atak switchfire. I had a 17 GT with Corsa Extreme catback but didn’t have LT Headers so new to the header discussion.

Thanks for your inputs and happy to finally have a Mach.

Good day everyone I have been searching around and want to get everyone’s take on what brand headers you recommend. Looking at Kooks, SW, SP, and American Racing. I do plan on one day going SC but that will not be for some time(years). Is it worth the price for Kooks HO Greencats over some of the more budget friendly options out there?

My end state for exhaust is Long Tube with Borla atak switchfire. I had a 17 GT with Corsa Extreme catback but didn’t have LT Headers so new to the header discussion.

Thanks for your inputs and happy to finally have a Mach.

I'm running 2m 1 7/8 !
with American Muscle H-pipe, with flowmasters AMERICAN THUNDER

 

[2021 Mach 1]

I have Kooks, hi flow cats, stock resonator and active exhaust.

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