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New dyno results from a header change

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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 07:43 PM
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Default New dyno results from a header change

Here is a no BS comparison of a budget header vs a premium system. The old TSP headers are 1 3/4" and the new ARH's are 1 7/8".

I have something goofy going on in the valvetrain that I definitely need to figure out, so any pros feel free to chime in. The car is still at Tick Performance so if possible I'd like to somehow get it figured out.

The setup:
older PRC 5.3 heads (approx 63cc)
7.425 pushrods, patriot .650 springs
Yella Terra RR's
Patrick G 230/236 xfi lobes .613/.609 111+1 LSA
ARH 1 7/8" headers and 3x3 O/R X-Pipe
Ported Fast 90
Revxtreme 90mm TB
Vararam Intake
MAF removed replaced with 4" silicon coupler
magnaflow mufflers
powerbond UDP
42# injectors
Built 3.90 rear

I think thats about it, car has arp 2000 rod bolts as well.



Blue is TSP headers
Red is ARH headers
Green is MAF removed and replaced with a 4" silicon coupler and additional tuning.

So what could be my issue here causing the goofiness starting around 5800rpms? Overall Im very happy with the results and the power throughout the curve from the header swap.

Last edited by blu1; Mar 2, 2009 at 07:53 PM.
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 07:58 PM
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That's one ugly *** graph! From that big *** dip, to the drop off.

How old are the springs?
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by edcmat-l1
That's one ugly *** graph! From that big *** dip, to the drop off.

How old are the springs?
Less than 5k miles I know for sure. I don't know the actual mileage but its not high at all. I posted this up on hardcore as well
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:16 PM
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You could hear the car change tones during the run and the VE table takes a big dip to keep the AFR up. Some type of valve train harmonics are going nuts
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:35 PM
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get a set of new valve springs, and try it again. 5k miles or 1k miles, they may need replaced. and whats wrong with stock rockers? my thinking are the yella terra's may be a little heavy of the valvetrain for a XFI lobed cam...

I have turned my **** 7500 with stock rockers, PBM high rev hyd lifters(same as morels etc etc) manley NexTec springs.... and manley hollow stem intake valves(being a L92 valve is super heavy) with zero issues...
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Alvin@Tick
You could hear the car change tones during the run and the VE table takes a big dip to keep the AFR up. Some type of valve train harmonics are going nuts
I bet. I've had em with bad springs and you could hear the sound change. Right where it drops like a rock.
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 09:37 PM
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So new springs and go back to the stock rockers MIGHT cure this?
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Old Mar 2, 2009 | 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by blu1
So new springs and go back to the stock rockers MIGHT cure this?
I sure think its worth a try! maybe get a Patriot Extreme gold spring kit and a low mile set of stock rocker arms... IMO
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 06:51 AM
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I still have the stock rockers, Im not one to sell all my stock stuff after replacing it. I will probably go with PAC springs if the old Patriots check out bad.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Alvin@Tick
You could hear the car change tones during the run and the VE table takes a big dip to keep the AFR up. Some type of valve train harmonics are going nuts
Definitely scary looking after seeing the graph. Im going to have Jonathan pull a few of the springs and get them checked. Im also going to switch back to the stock rockers and give that a shot. Once he is done I will let you see what it shows on the dyno.

Looks like I may be leaving a little power on the table for all this.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by blu1
I still have the stock rockers, Im not one to sell all my stock stuff after replacing it. I will probably go with PAC springs if the old Patriots check out bad.
Looking at that chart I'd throw the PAC 1521's in anyways.

BTW: I ran a similar cam in my 346 and loved it. 230-236 112 +2 XE-R. Great all around cam.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 08:16 AM
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Huh, what is the price difference between the two different sets of headers? There was an improvement there but nothing TOO crazy, especially considering that was with a car that clearly wants as much air going out as possible with a full H/C/I setup. On a bolt-on car, it probably wouldn't even be this much of a difference. I guess if the price difference isn't too bad it would definitely be worth it, or if you're looking for a top of the line setup and don't mind spending the extra money. But if you're just looking for better-than-stock power on a budget, you're doing just fine with the TSP LTs.

Last edited by PewterScreaminMach; Mar 3, 2009 at 08:21 AM.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by PewterScreaminMach
Huh, what is the price difference between the two different sets of headers? There was an improvement there but nothing TOO crazy, especially considering that was with a car that clearly wants as much air going out as possible with a full H/C/I setup. On a bolt-on car, it probably wouldn't even be this much of a difference. I guess if the price difference isn't too bad it would definitely be worth it, or if you're looking for a top of the line setup and don't mind spending the extra money. But if you're just looking for better-than-stock power on a budget, you're doing just fine with the TSP LTs.
I agree I think you wasted your time and money. probably not wise to compare vendore headers either..or defining them by "budget". Most Ls1 LT's are budget, then you have the stainless.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 09:23 AM
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Well for the ones thinking its not worth it good for you! However I am out to run as fast as possible and am not happy running the normal mid-high 11's in a H/C car like most.

Some of you just look at peak gains and are truly lost, if you think 10-15rwhp and 10-15rwtq+ throughout the whole curve isn't worth it than I have no need to get in discussion with you. If you don't like my thread then no need to post as well easy as that.

The gains are huge IMO from a header swap especially when it still performed like it did with massive valvetrain issues. I posted legit facts with no "tricks" its a true before and after with all the exact facts posted, not sure what the problem is.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 09:50 AM
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You averaged better rwhp than peaked,i would be very happy with that

Look at how much you picked up by going SD tuned over the MAF,that is what i was looking for,since i changed mine over to SD the car feels stronger and drives better. Your dyno graph proves that to me!

Get the valvetrain lined out and you may have a few more ponies hideing through the power curve.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by StreetStalkerZ
You averaged better rwhp than peaked,i would be very happy with that

Look at how much you picked up by going SD tuned over the MAF,that is what i was looking for,since i changed mine over to SD the car feels stronger and drives better. Your dyno graph proves that to me!

Get the valvetrain lined out and you may have a few more ponies hideing through the power curve.
Thats what most people look over, all they car about is the printed peak number and not under the curve gains.

BTW the car has always been SD tuned, the gains in the green line were just from removing the MAF housing from the intake tract and replacing it with a 4 coupler and some additional tuning.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 10:39 AM
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The fact that you gained EVERYWHERE is a big deal to me, especially for a simple swap like headers. It also helps others who are buying headers for the first time and are debating if the more expensive setup is worth it. Plus look at the huge gain between 3200-4500 where most people drive on the street, that's drivability gains.
Can you PM me the link from Hardcore?
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 11:21 AM
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nice comparison. i'm guessing you would've had the arh pre-retune results if you had went sd to start with.

maybe it's me, but i wouldn't have spent that much money for those gains.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by s346k
nice comparison. i'm guessing you would've had the arh pre-retune results if you had went sd to start with.

maybe it's me, but i wouldn't have spent that much money for those gains.
The car has always been SD tuned before and after. The 440rwhp 400rwtq was SD tuned, the green graph was just the MAF removed from the intake tract to remove the added restriction.

I think the gains are well worth the $500 difference or so in the price of a complete setup if you are looking to go as fast as possible. The area under the curve gains are big, I could care less about the peak gains alone.
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Old Mar 3, 2009 | 12:56 PM
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Thank you for posting this! Ive been debating on headers and I'm sold on ARH 1 7/8" now.
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