What headers to buy???
03-Feb-2003, 07:14 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 56
What headers to buy???
Found it too hard to find some good used DC headers so now what else is good out there that will not break the bank... and dont say ractive lol...
I have looked into Vibrant and they really stand up quality wise from what I have seen and read, can anyone confirm this??
thx
I have looked into Vibrant and they really stand up quality wise from what I have seen and read, can anyone confirm this??
thx
04-Feb-2003, 07:41 PM
#5
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Location: Toronto
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my issue with Ractive is the size of the tubes and the quality... The flange in particular... That aside they are good bang for buck.
New Ractive go for about $260 or better, the Vibrant are comparable to DC headers in material and workmanship not sure on the HP gains and they go for $550 + taxes or so...
That aside does anyone have a hookup for vibrant and what would I expect to spend on an install (too damn cold for me to do it)
thx
New Ractive go for about $260 or better, the Vibrant are comparable to DC headers in material and workmanship not sure on the HP gains and they go for $550 + taxes or so...
That aside does anyone have a hookup for vibrant and what would I expect to spend on an install (too damn cold for me to do it)
thx
04-Feb-2003, 10:47 PM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Mississauga
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DAMN! I always thought that the Vibrant products were cheap, price wise that is! Guess i'll get the Heddman when it's time!
The car is a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. dont know what year it is around 2001 i presume
The car is a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. dont know what year it is around 2001 i presume
05-Feb-2003, 12:12 AM
#11
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,614
Originally posted by loudsubz
Ractive.
I just bought a used header for $100 and the quality looks good on them.
I bet if you compared the ractive to a more expenive one you get like 2-3 hp more, big gain lol.
Ractive.
I just bought a used header for $100 and the quality looks good on them.
I bet if you compared the ractive to a more expenive one you get like 2-3 hp more, big gain lol.
Obviosly not the best out there but quality wise i give it a B+
ps, you wont get any more hp with a dc header, maybe 1...1.5
it also depends what car you're putting it on
05-Feb-2003, 09:02 AM
#13
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Again you have to look at the flange on the Ractive! It is not as thick as some on the market. There are also alot of info on this part having rust issues! SO yes 200+ for a header is great but you DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR...
my 2 cents (maybe less lol)
my 2 cents (maybe less lol)
05-Feb-2003, 09:26 AM
#14
Ractive is **** no matter how you look at it....pricewise or not. Anyone who says Ractive is a good deal or is good quality has no idea what to look for in a quality part. Compare any decent quality peice to a Ractive and the difference should be like a slap in the face. If you still think Ractive is good quality, then you have been looking at **** for so long that you've turned stupid and know nothing but ****. Ditto for APC too.
JG/Edelbrock is a strong alliance, Chikakara are cheaper knockoffs of a good design, Vibrant I have no experince w/, and Heddman Headers have been in the header game for longer than most of us have been around for. They are a major driver in the domestic/muscle car market. I imagine if they wanted, they could make a nice product, but I have never seen one for an import car.
JG/Edelbrock is a strong alliance, Chikakara are cheaper knockoffs of a good design, Vibrant I have no experince w/, and Heddman Headers have been in the header game for longer than most of us have been around for. They are a major driver in the domestic/muscle car market. I imagine if they wanted, they could make a nice product, but I have never seen one for an import car.
05-Feb-2003, 10:25 AM
#15
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bbarbulo, your insight is most welcomed!
here are some specs on the Vibrant for those who showed interest
FEATURES OF 4-2-1 HEADERS:
• Ideal for both street and strip
• Lightweight design
• 100% T304 stainless steel
construction (including flanges)
• CNC mandrel bent tubes
• Completely TIG welded
• All exhaust ports are de-burred and
hand ported for optimal exhaust flow
• Easy to Install
FEATURES OF 4-1 HEADERS:
• Designed to get the most out of high
revving, performance motors
• Pulls extra power out of the motor
from 4000 RPM up to redline without
sacrificing bottom end power.
• Merge collector is designed to allow
for good ground clearance without
losing power
• Primaries are near equal in length
• 100% T304 stainless steel
construction (including flanges)
• CNC mandrel bent tubes
• Completely TIG welded
• All exhaust ports are de-burred and
hand ported for optimal exhaust flow
The 4-2-1 are $700+ everywhere I checked(even Canadian Tire) but Performace Improvemtents will sell them for $556.99!!! Good deal on this part!
here are some specs on the Vibrant for those who showed interest
FEATURES OF 4-2-1 HEADERS:
• Ideal for both street and strip
• Lightweight design
• 100% T304 stainless steel
construction (including flanges)
• CNC mandrel bent tubes
• Completely TIG welded
• All exhaust ports are de-burred and
hand ported for optimal exhaust flow
• Easy to Install
FEATURES OF 4-1 HEADERS:
• Designed to get the most out of high
revving, performance motors
• Pulls extra power out of the motor
from 4000 RPM up to redline without
sacrificing bottom end power.
• Merge collector is designed to allow
for good ground clearance without
losing power
• Primaries are near equal in length
• 100% T304 stainless steel
construction (including flanges)
• CNC mandrel bent tubes
• Completely TIG welded
• All exhaust ports are de-burred and
hand ported for optimal exhaust flow
The 4-2-1 are $700+ everywhere I checked(even Canadian Tire) but Performace Improvemtents will sell them for $556.99!!! Good deal on this part!
05-Feb-2003, 10:34 AM
#16
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Mississauga West Side
Posts: 11,206
Originally posted by bbarbulo
Ractive is **** no matter how you look at it....pricewise or not. Anyone who says Ractive is a good deal or is good quality has no idea what to look for in a quality part. Compare any decent quality peice to a Ractive and the difference should be like a slap in the face. If you still think Ractive is good quality, then you have been looking at **** for so long that you've turned stupid and know nothing but ****. Ditto for APC too.
JG/Edelbrock is a strong alliance, Chikakara are cheaper knockoffs of a good design, Vibrant I have no experince w/, and Heddman Headers have been in the header game for longer than most of us have been around for. They are a major driver in the domestic/muscle car market. I imagine if they wanted, they could make a nice product, but I have never seen one for an import car.
Ractive is **** no matter how you look at it....pricewise or not. Anyone who says Ractive is a good deal or is good quality has no idea what to look for in a quality part. Compare any decent quality peice to a Ractive and the difference should be like a slap in the face. If you still think Ractive is good quality, then you have been looking at **** for so long that you've turned stupid and know nothing but ****. Ditto for APC too.
JG/Edelbrock is a strong alliance, Chikakara are cheaper knockoffs of a good design, Vibrant I have no experince w/, and Heddman Headers have been in the header game for longer than most of us have been around for. They are a major driver in the domestic/muscle car market. I imagine if they wanted, they could make a nice product, but I have never seen one for an import car.
Not everyone can afford the best or most expensive, but still doens't mean they shoulnd't by Ractive, or some of the lower brands.
If you still think Ractive is good quality, then you have been looking at **** for so long that you've turned stupid and know nothing but ****.
I used to highly regard your post Bruno, but after hearing this one, I have to say you have your head up your *** and your so ignorant its not even funny.
Ive seen many people run knock off brands for CAI, and other things, even ractive exhaust, and as they may not be up to par with Apexi muffler, or something alot more expensive, for the price there decent products and will probably last for as long as the customer wants to use the product for, which makes it a good deal.
05-Feb-2003, 11:34 AM
#18
Seems we have some Ractive fans in the house 
....that's alright, it's ppl like you that make this sport affordable and drive the industry. W/o you guys all the parts would be even more expensive. loudsubz, what can I tell you 
I know my statement is strong w/o really backing it up, but I'm not a shop or a dealer of any products, so I have no reason to lie to you. It depends on what your goals are I guess. I know all you want is an audio car, so for you it would be acceptable to run something like that. IMO, though, I won't replace anything on my car unless it's as good or better quality than stock, which is saying A LOT about a Honda product. Honda puts some of the finest isht on their cars, so upgrading a Honda takes a lot more than upgrading a Neon or Cavalier. (not knocking those things, just saying Honda uses finer quality parts, that's all). I have yet to see a cheap-looking factory part that has some significance on a Honda. In other words, if you want a header so you can tell ppl you have a header, then go ahead, buy the cheapest thing you can. Personally, if I were to do normally aspirated, then I would buy a titanium header.
Falcon, to answer your question...the header seems like a quality piece by the specs you have provided. I would do the 4-1 with an Apexi World Sport exhaust for an understated tone, but good flow of power. Again, it depends on your goals. T304 is a good stainless steel, easier to weld, but more oxydation prone than some others. However, most exhausts are made out of 304 cause it's the chepest stainless steel out there. You won't get any better unless you pay at least double that. Give it a shot, and worse come to worse you can always sell them in a couple of years and get some of your money back. I like that the primaries are near equal length. I wish they were equal length, but you can't win them all, right?
I do not think highly of DC products either, so don't ask me to rant about these either loudsubz. And yes, I have compared side by side cheap headers versus astronomically expensive headers. Ever seen Mugen headers? I'm not saying I'd run those, but I would run Comptech headers if I was short on cash. My post may have come across as ignorant, but I think by now you should understand that what I say is always backed up. DC makes nice headers, I just don't think very highly of the company in general b/c they are sellouts and would not support them with my cash, that's all.
....that's alright, it's ppl like you that make this sport affordable and drive the industry. W/o you guys all the parts would be even more expensive. loudsubz, what can I tell you I know my statement is strong w/o really backing it up, but I'm not a shop or a dealer of any products, so I have no reason to lie to you. It depends on what your goals are I guess. I know all you want is an audio car, so for you it would be acceptable to run something like that. IMO, though, I won't replace anything on my car unless it's as good or better quality than stock, which is saying A LOT about a Honda product. Honda puts some of the finest isht on their cars, so upgrading a Honda takes a lot more than upgrading a Neon or Cavalier. (not knocking those things, just saying Honda uses finer quality parts, that's all). I have yet to see a cheap-looking factory part that has some significance on a Honda. In other words, if you want a header so you can tell ppl you have a header, then go ahead, buy the cheapest thing you can. Personally, if I were to do normally aspirated, then I would buy a titanium header. Falcon, to answer your question...the header seems like a quality piece by the specs you have provided. I would do the 4-1 with an Apexi World Sport exhaust for an understated tone, but good flow of power. Again, it depends on your goals. T304 is a good stainless steel, easier to weld, but more oxydation prone than some others. However, most exhausts are made out of 304 cause it's the chepest stainless steel out there. You won't get any better unless you pay at least double that. Give it a shot, and worse come to worse you can always sell them in a couple of years and get some of your money back. I like that the primaries are near equal length. I wish they were equal length, but you can't win them all, right?
I do not think highly of DC products either, so don't ask me to rant about these either loudsubz. And yes, I have compared side by side cheap headers versus astronomically expensive headers. Ever seen Mugen headers? I'm not saying I'd run those, but I would run Comptech headers if I was short on cash. My post may have come across as ignorant, but I think by now you should understand that what I say is always backed up. DC makes nice headers, I just don't think very highly of the company in general b/c they are sellouts and would not support them with my cash, that's all.
05-Feb-2003, 12:50 PM
#19
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Buffalo
Posts: 148
depends on how much you really want out of them... also, what is your major goal? If you are going to stay all motor, get a good header that will last. Personally I like the An-r. www.an-r.com
if you are going to go turbo, dont bother with getting a header.
if you are going to go turbo, dont bother with getting a header.
05-Feb-2003, 02:38 PM
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Markham, Ontario
Posts: 897
For off-the-shelf headers, I wouldn't put anything other than a Toda, Comptech, Mugen, or Spoon header on my car. I'm iffy on the latter two though. The best are the semi-custom ones like Hytech, SMSP, or ANR though.
