Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have?
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From: Bethesda, MD
Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Is there a threshold where the stepped headers really come into their own (e.g. above 6XXX rpm, big cubes, FI) or do they add something over regular headers on a stock motor shifting at near stock rpms (say 6200 - 6400)?
Those dynatechs look nice, but I'm wondering if the step will provide any gain to the average guy with bolt-ons or mild H&C package when compared with FLP, TTS, etc.
Those dynatechs look nice, but I'm wondering if the step will provide any gain to the average guy with bolt-ons or mild H&C package when compared with FLP, TTS, etc.
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? IMO uless your running N20 or Big Incher I'd get the stepped w/a 3in collector..
I talked to Julio,Billinsley and Dynatech and they all told me run the stepped along w/a 3in collector for my S2 LS6 setup.
I cant wait to have Mufflex make my 3in Y along w/the 3in intermed. to a 3in cutout to a 3in. single round Dynomax Race Magnum and 1 rear 3in tail pipe..
Lightweight and will flow excellent..
JS
I talked to Julio,Billinsley and Dynatech and they all told me run the stepped along w/a 3in collector for my S2 LS6 setup.
I cant wait to have Mufflex make my 3in Y along w/the 3in intermed. to a 3in cutout to a 3in. single round Dynomax Race Magnum and 1 rear 3in tail pipe..
Lightweight and will flow excellent..
JS
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From: Dallas,Texas
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Here is some reading for you about diameter
and length ( old saved thread ).
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=62
and length ( old saved thread ).
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=62
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From: Bethesda, MD
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? [quote]Originally posted by Pro Stock John:
<strong>Heard most of the gains at over 5000 rpms and it's more of a drag oriented header concept.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Any impression as to whether there would be a torque loss below say 4000 rpm from having the step increase in a diameter?
<strong>Heard most of the gains at over 5000 rpms and it's more of a drag oriented header concept.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Any impression as to whether there would be a torque loss below say 4000 rpm from having the step increase in a diameter?
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From: Katy, TX
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? I cant say what they would be worth through cats, and full exhaust, but mine through a y-pipe showed some pretty good gains over..highly ported Macs, and a custom y-pipe.
I couldn't tell you what they would do for a heads/cam setup.
I couldn't tell you what they would do for a heads/cam setup.
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Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Thanx Pain...
I saw your results...
I'm gonna make a setup that will be able to drop off the car QUICKLY if I wanna run open collector
I think on a H/C car shifting at 6800rpm the stepped will SHINE running just the collectors at the track?I can tell ya I will surely find out soon enough...
JS
I saw your results...
I'm gonna make a setup that will be able to drop off the car QUICKLY if I wanna run open collector
I think on a H/C car shifting at 6800rpm the stepped will SHINE running just the collectors at the track?I can tell ya I will surely find out soon enough...
JS
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From: Melbourne, FL
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? When I bought my Dynatech's, I discussed the stepped vs. regular header ins/outs at length with the rep at Dynatech. What I got out of it was essentially without a lot of N2O or cubic inches, the stepped header wouldn't really make much difference. It wouldn't hurt, but may not help. I decided to go with the standard 1-3/4 tubes, and 3" collectors.
I'm thinking about a change to 3.5" collectors/Borla XR-1 3.5" mufflers later in the year. Hell, I may even change headers and go with the stepped tubes if it would pick the car up a little.
I'll wait and see what kind of results come from other 346cid heads/cam cars running the stepped headers.
I'm thinking about a change to 3.5" collectors/Borla XR-1 3.5" mufflers later in the year. Hell, I may even change headers and go with the stepped tubes if it would pick the car up a little.
I'll wait and see what kind of results come from other 346cid heads/cam cars running the stepped headers.
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Dont worry George I'll test them for u in about a month.I'm running a 4600 Stall so I think at the rpm/launch the stepped will shine.
I'm running S2 LS6 heads w/11.1cr and will shifting at 6800 to use the benifit of the stepped design.
Not to mention I want a big bore down the road and after seeing how much better Pains car did,I was convinced.
Now the guys I talked to told me a 3.5in collector is monsterous an really is good for a 422 or big big n20 car.
Who knows?
JS
I'm running S2 LS6 heads w/11.1cr and will shifting at 6800 to use the benifit of the stepped design.
Not to mention I want a big bore down the road and after seeing how much better Pains car did,I was convinced.
Now the guys I talked to told me a 3.5in collector is monsterous an really is good for a 422 or big big n20 car.
Who knows?
JS
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? [quote]Originally posted by Crazyquik:
<strong>Typically a 1.75" primary and a 3" collector are good untill about 475ish crank hp. Since JS is going with a stroker, he'll probably be well over 475 crank hp, so the step and 3.5" collector will really pay off then. Even the really fast stock cube motors are borderline though. If you want to get really technical, I'm sure whether you have a manual or auto, and what size stall and gears you have all make a difference as well. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Dang I did like 440rwhp (500 crank) and I have TTS headers with 1.75 primaries and 3" collectors... I think next time at dyno I will hit 465-470rwhp should I think about getting bigger headers? I have a 3"/3" into 3" orp, 4" catback with a 4" Dynomax Ultro Flow welded round muffler.
<strong>Typically a 1.75" primary and a 3" collector are good untill about 475ish crank hp. Since JS is going with a stroker, he'll probably be well over 475 crank hp, so the step and 3.5" collector will really pay off then. Even the really fast stock cube motors are borderline though. If you want to get really technical, I'm sure whether you have a manual or auto, and what size stall and gears you have all make a difference as well. </strong><hr></blockquote>
Dang I did like 440rwhp (500 crank) and I have TTS headers with 1.75 primaries and 3" collectors... I think next time at dyno I will hit 465-470rwhp should I think about getting bigger headers? I have a 3"/3" into 3" orp, 4" catback with a 4" Dynomax Ultro Flow welded round muffler.
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From: Frankton, In
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Most guys at the NHRA Nat's in the stock classes with LS1'S were running stepped headers. They run 10.60's 70's.
[ January 05, 2002: Message edited by: Bob Neese ]</p>
[ January 05, 2002: Message edited by: Bob Neese ]</p>
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From: Nawf Carolina
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? I dont know John, of course you could probably sell your TTS, buy Dynatechs, and have money left over. Whats the highest someone's dynoed a 7 liter with TTS, FLPs, or Grots? I never saw PaiN's gain, but it would probably be similar. Those figures I posted were just a rule of thumb to go by, I'm sure there are all kinds of exceptions.
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From: Nawf Carolina
Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Typically a 1.75" primary and a 3" collector are good untill about 475ish crank hp. Since JS is going with a stroker, he'll probably be well over 475 crank hp, so the step and 3.5" collector will really pay off then. Even the really fast stock cube motors are borderline though. If you want to get really technical, I'm sure whether you have a manual or auto, and what size stall and gears you have all make a difference as well.
J.
J.
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Re: Stepped Headers: Gimmick or Got to Have? Wouldn't spend your money just yet, Ragtop. Just like no one's proven that the "straighter" design of some of the current headers is an advantage over the "twisted" design of the SLP's. So I'm not sure the stepped design will be of any benefit. In theory, maybe. In practice, we'll see.
My post of last night points out that engineers with lots of experience (BMW with the new M3, and recently, Borla with the Viper headers) are going with the equal length, "twisted" design, and don't always favor the straight and wide open approach.
Once someone proves (at the track) that a certain design header has an advantage over another, on two very similar cars, I'll switch tomorrow! Until then.............
Edited post to change the word "waste" to "spend". Cause I didn't mean that these headers are a waste. I've seen them in person and they look very nice. My point was that lots of new stuff/mods come out and it takes a while to prove their effectiveness.
[ January 05, 2002: Message edited by: ONYXSS ]</p>
My post of last night points out that engineers with lots of experience (BMW with the new M3, and recently, Borla with the Viper headers) are going with the equal length, "twisted" design, and don't always favor the straight and wide open approach.
Once someone proves (at the track) that a certain design header has an advantage over another, on two very similar cars, I'll switch tomorrow! Until then.............
Edited post to change the word "waste" to "spend". Cause I didn't mean that these headers are a waste. I've seen them in person and they look very nice. My point was that lots of new stuff/mods come out and it takes a while to prove their effectiveness.
[ January 05, 2002: Message edited by: ONYXSS ]</p>
