Are HEADERS worth the expense

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Rockrz
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Are HEADERS worth the expense

Post by Rockrz »

I was curious if anybody here is running headers on their 4.3L V6???

I was reading that they are supposed to add about 15 HP, so I thought I'd ask if anyone here has experienced this amount of gain with headers.

I know they're a PITA to install, but if they do provide 15 extra horses, I might consider it.
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04crewvt
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Post by 04crewvt »

If you have a body lift headers are not an option on our trucks. If you are stock height you will see some performance increase but not enough to make the cost worth it in my opinion. It is different if you are modifying other internal components of the engine at the same time IE different cams, intakes and the like.
[size=75]Why does the universe decree that if you have all the time in the world to work on projects you have no money and vice versa?
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Rockrz
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Post by Rockrz »

Actually, this week I'm buying a 2003 extended cab with 4.3L and my current truck is the same but a '96 (with over 206,000 trouble free miles!)

So, I'm not actually running the crew cab like most of the guys here but much of the info here is very helpful since the trucks are similar in alot of ways.

Yeah, I was kinda leaning towards not getting headers, but I was reading that adding headers give you 15 HP by just doing that alone, so I was thinking about it.
[size=75]I'm drivin a...2003 Chevy S10 Ex Cab LS 2WD, Auto, 4.3L, Vin Code X[/size]
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roadrunner
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Post by roadrunner »

I wouldn't unless you like to make your plugs even harder to change out and want to replace plug wires often. In my experience headers aren't much of a gain for stock usage. They only give notable improvement if you consistently run in excess of 5500 RPM. Most would benefit if they stuck to an exhaust system where the front pipes matched as nearly as possible the outlet diameter of the stock cast headers and if running single exhaust on a V-6 the system after the union of the front pipes shouldn't exceed 1.5 times the diameter of either input leg. If running true duals all the way back the manifold outlet diameter should match the pipe inside diameter all the way back including through whatever muffler is installed in each side. If additional performance gains are desired with a full-dual system a cross connect pipe should be added up front as far forward as is practical ahead of any mufflers or convertors if so equipped. Equalization of flow pressures thus attained will add performance and power. Thus spaketh the exhaust specialist for the A J Foyt race team to my ear many moons ago when I still worked in a Ford dealership and had occasion to service his car thus developing a friendship with him. I have used this method on several vehicles of all different makes and models with excellent results. Disagree if you like. All I'll say is it works.
On a flow related note, you used to be able to buy what was called a "Sonic Turbo Muffler". It was the highest flow rated muffler I've ever seen and had a deep idle tone that dissapated into a quiet whooshing sound as rpm's increased from about 1700 on up. Very quiet at full throttle. If memory serves flow rate was 96%. They used a parabolic reflector which reflected the incoming exhaust noise back into itself which had a noise cancelling effect. Odd concept but sure worked well. :wink: 8)
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Rockrz
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Post by Rockrz »

Yeah, I've also heard for stock engines headers don't do alot so I guess I'll blow that idea off.

Any idea what company makes a Sonic Turbo Muffler?
[size=75]I'm drivin a...2003 Chevy S10 Ex Cab LS 2WD, Auto, 4.3L, Vin Code X[/size]
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crew cab sonoma
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Post by crew cab sonoma »

the "Sonic" turbo mufflers havent been in production for quite a few years now...

actually, they werent really any better performing or quieter than other comparable turbo mufflers, from my experience with them.

the turbo mufflers offered by thrush and walker are good performers.
there are std. 14" case lenght, and longer 20" case lenghts, which are slightly quieter and better flowing as well...
[size=75]Lee

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00 Sonoma Ext. Cab 4WD. front axle removed, Torsen diff. W4M pcm. 2.10 60ft. 9.64 @ 71.0 mph (1/8 mi.)[/size]
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roadrunner
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Post by roadrunner »

Thrush used to but as I said above I haven't seen them in a while. Perhaps were dropped due to lack of demand or whatever. Possibly replaced by another model. Perhaps an e-mail to thrush exhaust or dynomax might yield an answer or perhaps a replacement if they are no longer available. Some searching has revealed that dynomax and cyclone and walker and thrush are all corporately/directly tied together.
2001 CC LS, pewter, stock, 4.3,Wait4meperformance, CFM throttle blade, Helix throttle body spacer, 4spd auto, 3button electric 4x4 shift, heavy duty factory suspension, Bilsteins, 1" rear wheel spacers, skid plates.