The real deal on STS and headers
The real deal on STS and headers I have a STS turbo kit and have a 244/242 cam with hooker 1 7/8 inch hooker headers and a FAST 90/90 intake manifold. 36 lb injectors and I am getting the race tronics fuel pump... I am not going to remove my headers, but the headers are ceramic coated which i heard helps keep heat in... What kind of difference would I see if I did not go with the stock manifolds and such... I mean the heat at the end of my catback is hotter than a stock ls1s system... verified by a thermometer...
It will spool slower. It's been proven time and time and time again. When 900+rwhp guys are running manifolds, it's proven not to be a restriction. STS, or any rear mount turbo system, really seems to like defying the rules on how to make power.
You need more injector and fuel as well.
You need more injector and fuel as well.
It is not really defying the rules, it follows the rules for turbocharging. Turbos thrive on velocity and heat (Google it, you can read up). Denying them heat by using headers takes away one of their strengths. However you do it, be sure and wrap the exhaust all the way to the turbo to retain as much heat as possible.
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It is not really defying the rules, it follows the rules for turbocharging. Turbos thrive on velocity and heat (Google it, you can read up). Denying them heat by using headers takes away one of their strengths. However you do it, be sure and wrap the exhaust all the way to the turbo to retain as much heat as possible.
Traditional thought on making power = bigger hotside is better.
Turbocharging, rear mounts = bigger not necessarily better.
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Verdad Gallardo And I agree, just making the largest pipe to the turbo is not the answer, there are other factors to consider. 4-5 years ago, I researched this with a turbocharging engineering forum. Their consensus was to wrap the pipe all the way to the turbo, to retain as much heat as possible. At this time, it seems to be the optimal solution.
There's another post on here somewhere and another option was brought up. ..You could get ceramic coated SHORTY headers, then wrap. Less restriction than manifolds... and hold in more heat than long tubes. Of course the y-pipe would be smaller too. Less surface area to lose heat. The key is to balance velocity and heat loss. It's pretty much trial and error based on your car and mods. I'm in the process of figuring all of this out right now while installing my STS kit. I'm no expert. Please keep responding guys. I enjoy reading and learning. lol.
Would I be off base to think that that is a little to high of an RPM to Start spooling, even with headers? 
If you have a stock cam, then you're only using the turbo for about 1000 RPM. Right? Did you use exhaust wrap back to the turbo? Just curious because I'm running a similar setup soon. 
If you have a stock cam, then you're only using the turbo for about 1000 RPM. Right? Did you use exhaust wrap back to the turbo? Just curious because I'm running a similar setup soon. 
The car im doing some work on has shorty headers on it with a sts system. Im going to remove them and put stock manifolds on them when I put the new engine in. I have no idea how it spooled before either.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Lancaster CA
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster CA
It is not really defying the rules, it follows the rules for turbocharging. Turbos thrive on velocity and heat (Google it, you can read up). Denying them heat by using headers takes away one of their strengths. However you do it, be sure and wrap the exhaust all the way to the turbo to retain as much heat as possible.
No it wont erode the exhaust but if you have a coating on the exhaust it will go through that. but normal alum or ss it will not kill it.
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Ft. Irwin, California (But Virginia is home)
The spool times you noted above are not that good. Probably has something to do with the cam, but wrapping the exhaust will make a big difference. I could usually get mine to 5PSI by 3400RPM in 1st, 3000 in 2nd, and 2.5K or lower in 3rd-6th.
BTW, 36lb/hr injectors are too small. I maxed out 42's with less cam then you and only 5PSI. I was running (and still run) MotoTron 60's. That was with a Racetronix pump, hotwire, and a return fuel system referenced to 60PSI.
Yes, you can run ceramic LT's. I had DynaTech LT's (coated) when I had the STS on my car. But, stock manifolds work better... that is proven.
The spool times you noted above are not that good. Probably has something to do with the cam, but wrapping the exhaust will make a big difference. I could usually get mine to 5PSI by 3400RPM in 1st, 3000 in 2nd, and 2.5K or lower in 3rd-6th.
BTW, 36lb/hr injectors are too small. I maxed out 42's with less cam then you and only 5PSI. I was running (and still run) MotoTron 60's. That was with a Racetronix pump, hotwire, and a return fuel system referenced to 60PSI.
The spool times you noted above are not that good. Probably has something to do with the cam, but wrapping the exhaust will make a big difference. I could usually get mine to 5PSI by 3400RPM in 1st, 3000 in 2nd, and 2.5K or lower in 3rd-6th.
BTW, 36lb/hr injectors are too small. I maxed out 42's with less cam then you and only 5PSI. I was running (and still run) MotoTron 60's. That was with a Racetronix pump, hotwire, and a return fuel system referenced to 60PSI.
Have ceramic LTs... Started the wrapping process. Heres a pic. Sheer beauty. I ran out of wrap. That was 40 or so feet just on that! I am going to wrap the WHOLE system all the way back, and put one of those NASA diapers on the turbo
Bottom line to this thread... I think you are going to do allot of work... and get the same results we have out of manifolds. At best, I think you will compensate for ~80-90% of the loss with headers... and gain it back in the header application to the motor itself. But you look to be running lean.. and if you choke it with too small an AR or turbo.. then you just negate any benifit you get from "free flowing" headers... either way I think you will likely fall short, or on Par at best.
Good luck with your build either way.. would love for you to proove us wrong!
