Do Exhaust Headers Actually Improve Performance?

If you want to improve your vehicle, exhaust headers are an upgrade you can make for your exhaust system. Learn everything you need to know about headers, including the different types, what they do and if headers are worth it.

What Do Exhaust Headers Do?

Headers replace your exhaust manifolds, which are the components of the exhaust system between the front exhaust pipes and cylinder heads. Headers have a tube construction with one tube for each exhaust port, and both meet in a large tube, also known as the collector.

The primary function of headers is similar to manifolds, but each has a different performance that can significantly impact your vehicle. Headers add horsepower by reducing restrictions and supporting scavenging. These components accelerate the flow of exhaust gases and create less back-pressure on the manifolds.

Exhaust Headers vs. Manifold

Aftermarket headers are upgrades for your vehicle to replace the manifold. The OEM manifolds cannot boost the exhaust flow rate the same way headers can, and manifolds have a small design to take up as little space as possible. The quality of your manifold can vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model and the dealership you bought it from. This means if you have a low-quality manifold, you can enhance your exhaust system by adding headers and making the system less restrictive.

If you have cast-iron log-type exhaust manifolds, you may benefit more than other car owners because the small, bolted manifold dumps all exhaust pipes into the same space. When you upgrade to a header, you can relieve your exhaust system, boost its performance and help lengthen its life. While an exhaust header has individual tubes for each port, manifolds typically do not. Some manifolds may have individual tubes, but this is most common on performance cars.

Beyond creating a less restrictive system and boosting performance, headers have another advantage over manifolds, making them a worthwhile upgrade for many car owners. Headers can produce a scavenging effect.

When a pulse of exhaust leaves a header tube into a collector, it creates a negative wave of pressure. This wave passes back through the header tube and reaches the exhaust port. This pressure pulls the remaining gas from the cylinder and draws the incoming intake charge. The effect is very beneficial for your engine because it can improve performance and prolong its life.

Types of Headers

Exhaust headers can improve your vehicle’s performance, but there are different types you can find for various uses. You’ll want to consider how you want to enhance your car and which header type will most benefit it. You can find a few different types of headers on the market:

• Long tube headers: If you’re looking for that scavenging effect, long tube headers are the way to go. These headers do take up more space and take more time to install. To get these tubes in your car, you must cut the exhaust pipes and attach the flanges to the header collector. These headers are great for tracks because they provide enhanced power at sustained high revs.
• Short tube headers: Many short tube headers connect to exhaust pipe flanges, so you don’t need to cut or weld them. Larger short tube headers are great for high RPMs, while smaller headers can better maintain exhaust gas velocity.
• Tri-Y headers: These headers have a “Y” shape, enabling the exhaust to flow through and scavenge from the other tube. Tri-Y headers add the most horsepower compared to any other header type, so if this is what you’re looking for, these headers are the way to go.

Do Exhaust Headers Improve Performance?

One of the reasons you should consider getting an exhaust header for your vehicle is that it can improve performance in various ways. Headers can benefit many components within your vehicle and help prolong their life to ensure you can enjoy your car for as long as possible.

You can also see different performance boosts from each header type, so you can get the enhancements you want easily. Headers can increase horsepower, improve the flow rate of exhaust or improve your car’s sound. No matter what you’re looking for to enhance your engine system, you can find an exhaust header to suit your needs.

Getting exhaust headers for your car can:

• Improve exhaust flow rate.
• Enhance your car’s sound.
• Eliminate exhaust system back-pressure.
• Increase horsepower.
• Enhance your vehicle’s look.
• Boost engine performance.
• Improve fuel economy.
• Prolong the engine’s life.
• Provide a weight reduction for your vehicle.

Header Materials and Coatings

It’s common for headers to have a stainless steel composition, but there are other options. Although some will provide different benefits, you can also consider cost and fit to determine what’s most suitable for your vehicle.

You can find these header materials:

• Stainless steel: This is an excellent long-term investment because stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and won’t rust. However, the header can turn blue near the head flange if it experiences extensive heat exposure.
• Titanium: Titanium exhaust headers are lightweight and have a higher strength than stainless steel. This material can withstand many extreme temperatures and is naturally corrosion-resistant. This is an excellent choice for high-performance racing applications.
• Traditional steel: If you choose a traditional steel header, you should select a corrosion-resistant coating to prolong its life. These headers will need a fresh coat from time to time to avoid rust, but you can add your own high-temperature coating.
• Cast iron: These headers have the benefit of a lower cost, but only select vehicles can use them. Cast iron is heavier than the other material types, and it has an emissions benefit of keeping unwanted heat from radiating to other components.

You can enhance your headers by adding different coatings regardless of the material you choose. You can also leave your header without a coating, but we recommend finding one for increased performance. Header coatings could be one of these options:

• Ceramic
• Chrome
• Painted

Shop Exhaust Headers From Top Flight Automotive

Top Flight Automotive offers the highest-quality parts for your vehicle. We’re more than great products at reasonable prices. We also have world-class customer service and friendly sales staff ready to assist you with anything you need. Browse our selection of exhaust headers to improve performance for your vehicle.