Shorty header or manifold?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,129
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too bad the manifolds I have just happen to be one of the best manifolds you can get. There’s an article (link below if you want to read it) where they tested “corvette” manifolds vs long tube 1 5/8 and 1 7/8 headers. The manifolds beat the 1 5/8 headers and hung with 1 7/8 headers. So I’m pretty sure they will out do my china shorties lol. The part number on the manifolds in the article is the same part number as mine. That was a gto engine in the article too btw.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ls1-engine-header-test/
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ls1-engine-header-test/
Here is a dyno test of the Hooker cast manifolds (better than your GTO manifolds) vs $93 (yes they are really that cheap now) tubular ebay headers.
The results don't lie.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 502
Likes: 38
The manifolds in that article didn't beat a single header, even the 1 5/8" in Average power, average torque, peak power, or peak torque. Not a single victory, even on a 400 HP engine that really wasn't pushing the limits of manifolds to begin with.
Here is a dyno test of the Hooker cast manifolds (better than your GTO manifolds) vs $93 (yes they are really that cheap now) tubular ebay headers.
The results don't lie.
Here is a dyno test of the Hooker cast manifolds (better than your GTO manifolds) vs $93 (yes they are really that cheap now) tubular ebay headers.
The results don't lie.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 178
Test details https://www.dragzine.com/tech-storie...-race-headers/
Boost and back pressure curves were the key differences. The test was not a very good apples to apples comparison. They manifold setup was a log style not individual like the headers. Not clear where back pressure was measured on the manifold setup. I suspect that if a manifold setup was done with a Y pipe like the header setup with 2 waste gates, the boost, back pressure and hp curves would be much more similar. The turbine is the restriction in the system which is going to be the key contributor to measured back pressure assuming it's measured at the same location (just before the turbine housing)
Boost and back pressure curves were the key differences. The test was not a very good apples to apples comparison. They manifold setup was a log style not individual like the headers. Not clear where back pressure was measured on the manifold setup. I suspect that if a manifold setup was done with a Y pipe like the header setup with 2 waste gates, the boost, back pressure and hp curves would be much more similar. The turbine is the restriction in the system which is going to be the key contributor to measured back pressure assuming it's measured at the same location (just before the turbine housing)
Richard Holdener- But given the hassles associated with running the tubular pieces, as well as the durability of a cast manifold, we’d opt for the Hooker manifolds on almost any street application.
The manifolds in that article didn't beat a single header, even the 1 5/8" in Average power, average torque, peak power, or peak torque. Not a single victory, even on a 400 HP engine that really wasn't pushing the limits of manifolds to begin with.
Here is a dyno test of the Hooker cast manifolds (better than your GTO manifolds) vs $93 (yes they are really that cheap now) tubular ebay headers.
The results don't lie.
Here is a dyno test of the Hooker cast manifolds (better than your GTO manifolds) vs $93 (yes they are really that cheap now) tubular ebay headers.
The results don't lie.
the manifolds hung with the headers pretty well. I’m not sure if it was this article, but one I read with my manifolds, out did the 1 5/8 full lengths in peak hp. I think the full lengths did have a little more mid range or something. Regardless, I don’t really care. Like it’s been said on here many many times, manifolds and a turbo will make more power than I’ll be able to put on the ground. So if I lose 15,20, even 30hp, I don’t care. The car drives soooo much nicer and quieter. I’ll give up some power for that. This car isn’t a race car anyways.
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Verdad Gallardo I almost didn’t reply because of the negativity, but what the hell. No one forces you to read any of my threads or posts. If you don’t find any of it entertaining, well I’m sorry. Not really tho.
I like to try different ****. Sometimes I rush **** and it bites me in the ***. My fault and seems like I never learn. I also cheap out on **** sometimes. Again, my fault. I seem to cause my own misery. But at least I’m man/human enough to admit when I’m a dumbass and I should have known better. I look back and laugh at my dumb *** self sometimes.
and yea. I can’t leave anything alone. That’s boring. I wish I could, but I can’t. My son threatens to take and hide my laptop from me because I’m always tweaking the tune. It could drive 99.9% perfect and I still gotta **** with it. It’s just how I’m am.
ive seriously been thinking about changing the cam. I’ve also had it on my mind to pull the engine out and pull the pistons out and send them off to get the skirts coated. Why? The forged piston slap when it cold drives me nuts. The cam? I want better fuel mileage. I can just turn the boost up higher to make up for the power lost. I dunno. I’m happy, but not happy. It makes good power, but I’m picky and I want what I want.
You need to learn to be content with certain things. I'm always tinkering too, like yesterday with the orientation of my turbo and sanding/painting on the front end blablabla.....I even get the tuning stuff as it can always be better. But tearing apart a brand new perfectly good motor after all the crap you went through to get the pistons coated due to cold start noise is insane. Insulate your hood for goodness sakes, don't jump to the most difficult and expensive way to solve a problem.
You need to learn to be content with certain things. I'm always tinkering too, like yesterday with the orientation of my turbo and sanding/painting on the front end blablabla.....I even get the tuning stuff as it can always be better. But tearing apart a brand new perfectly good motor after all the crap you went through to get the pistons coated due to cold start noise is insane. Insulate your hood for goodness sakes, don't jump to the most difficult and expensive way to solve a problem.
or I could just install the remote start system and by the time I get outside it’ll be warmed up and no noise. Maybe I subconsciously just like working on it.
how much you want for that tank btw?
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Change it, change it.....go on, Change it.
Dunno why....but reminds me of this lol
https://y.yarn.co/88ea8f42-6677-4963...687905eca7.mp4
The test linked is a strange one. If the pressure reading is taken a the turbo....the manifolds should not really be making such a difference, as the turbo is the main restriction.
Although as wastegate issues and lack of boost are mentioned....sounds like their wastegates were leaking on one test ? as boost with the hookers was ridiculously low at lower rpm etc. And if leaking down there, probably leaking elsewhere too ?
Seems a totally invalid test as the results just dont make sense
Either way, stock manifolds work...that's been proven countless times.
Dunno why....but reminds me of this lol
https://y.yarn.co/88ea8f42-6677-4963...687905eca7.mp4
The test linked is a strange one. If the pressure reading is taken a the turbo....the manifolds should not really be making such a difference, as the turbo is the main restriction.
Although as wastegate issues and lack of boost are mentioned....sounds like their wastegates were leaking on one test ? as boost with the hookers was ridiculously low at lower rpm etc. And if leaking down there, probably leaking elsewhere too ?
Seems a totally invalid test as the results just dont make sense
Either way, stock manifolds work...that's been proven countless times.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 502
Likes: 38
If you mess with it you can do harm and after that you do good? Everyone else is saying that most of the time no good will come of it.