Which headers should I buy, bang for the buck?

[MuRCieLaGo]

Hi

There's a lot of headers available for our ZR-1. Which ones are the best bang for the buck? I replaced the stock resonator with a Magnaflow and now it's as quiet as an electric car. I live in a small town, if the police hears my car now, everything I will put later on will be too loud for them.

I know the OBX and other eBay brands are much cheaper than Stainless Works. Got a OBX exhaust manifold on my RX-7 and I've never had a single problem with it for 6 years now.

Waiting for your reviews,

Thanks!

[Vette73]

I'm running OBX headers and exhaust....I paid 525 for the headers and I believe 510 for the exhaust......I like them, car picked up some good power and is not too loud.......Has a nice throaty sound and does not sound tinny ......Don't believe the police should hassle you over these....

[MuRCieLaGo]

And what about the fitment?

[efnfast]

I'm also running OBX headers and exhaust. I believe the fitment has the same issues as any others. Rubbing the steering shaft, O2 relocate, dipstick issues.

[secondchance]

I have been running OBX headers and cat back exhaust. Header fitment issue is not given - some cars do, some don't.
Me and Jim V., a few years ago, measured exhaust pressure off of O2 sensor bung hooked up to a pressure gauge. Second gear, 6,000 rpm between OEM exhaust, OBX vs. Corsa was 1.4, 1.0 and 1.0. First two measurements were with my Z (OBX headers) and the last measurement was with Stainless Works headers.

[RussMcB]

I'm very happy with my OBX headers. I did have interference with the steering shaft, but a combination of dimpling and slipping a shim under the engine mount were fairly easy. My guess is, anyone willing to take on the job of installing headers probably has the wherewithal to address interference issues.

I will note that this is the first header I've bought that didn't have a collector (with bolt holes) attached, but I guess that's not a big deal. Clamps seem to do the job. Perhaps this is done for ground clearance.

[32valvesftw]

Jeals made by Corey, no fitment issues at all.

[efnfast]

I hear Coreys Jeals are the best if you can get them.

[RussMcB]

I don't know this for sure (feel free to correct me), the OBX headers are around $500, and most (all?) others are $800+?

Price was a factor for me.

[MuRCieLaGo]

I don't know this for sure (feel free to correct me), the OBX headers are around $500, and most (all?) others are $800+?

Price was a factor for me.

OBX $584, Stainless Works $1,449. And exchange rate with Canadian Dollar is pretty bad for me at the moment.

Would I have to relocate some stuff with Stainless Works headers?

Never heard of Corey Jeal headers.

[edram454]

drm longtube headers and corsa exhaust. no drone. big crisp sound. big power. no cats.

ed ramos

[RussMcB]

drm longtube headers and corsa exhaust. no drone. big crisp sound. big power. no cats.

ed ramosHow much are DRM headers (since this is a bang for the buck thread)?

[-=Jeff=-]

Does DRM even make them anymore?

I always thought there were very few brands:

-Watson
-Jeal
-Stainless works
-Corey Henderson's (Jeal)
-OBX

[Paul Workman]

OBX $584, Stainless Works $1,449. And exchange rate with Canadian Dollar is pretty bad for me at the moment.

Would I have to relocate some stuff with Stainless Works headers?

Never heard of Corey Jeal headers.

I've got the SW headers (and X-pipe) and had ZERO fitment issues. The only fitment issue I've read about is the #1 tube and the steering rod interference.

The solution is either "dimpling" the header tube, and/or a motor mount adjustment (elongate the hole by 5-6mm); in either case, it doesn't take much (with the SW, that is), and anyone with ability to remove the OEM stuff and install headers should be able to negotiate this little rub. Really...no big deal.:cheers:

As for the dipstick bracket, I've made dozens of 'em for people installing headers. If you need me to make one, PM me.

[LGAFF]

Speaking of dimpling headers....this is an interesting test on denting headers to make them fit and how it impacts power....findings are very interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdU

[efnfast]

OBX $584, Stainless Works $1,449. And exchange rate with Canadian Dollar is pretty bad for me at the moment.

Would I have to relocate some stuff with Stainless Works headers?

Never heard of Corey Jeal headers.
Corey Henderson in Texas has the old Jeal patents. Rumor has it they flow the best.

[RussMcB]

Speaking of dimpling headers....this is an interesting test on denting headers to make them fit and how it impacts power....findings are very interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdUThanks for posting that video link. That was really interesting and entertaining. Those guys had too much fun bashing headers and checking the results on the dyno. Sure makes me not feel bad about a little dimpling.

[edram454]

How much are DRM headers (since this is a bang for the buck thread)?

checked doug rippie motorsports and he took them out of the catalog. I am sure I saw them last year but they are no longer made. How much are the corey jeals since this is a bang for the buck thread?? i guess if this is bang for your buck thread then the obx is the bang for your buck.

ed ramos #3028

[Karl]

Speaking of dimpling headers....this is an interesting test on denting headers to make them fit and how it impacts power....findings are very interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPKIjxmmdU

Nice video.

OBX headers are by far the best bang for the dollar for the LT-5. With a 3" exhaust and a x pipe it will flow quite well.

http://s5.postimg.org/3kldhgker/20131207_103942.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/3kldhgker/)

http://s5.postimg.org/xm93bswk3/20130914_101409.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/xm93bswk3/)

This is what I am running.

The tube close to the steering shaft is dinged and after watching the video it does not matter.

Got mine coated too.

The '92 has no EGR so that was blocked off.

Good luck!

[Kevin]

do I even want to know what the jeal copies run?

[Karl]

do I even want to know what the jeal copies run?

I paid under $500 new for mine. With shipping it was about ~$520

[MuRCieLaGo]

I paid under $500 new for mine. With shipping it was about ~$520

Where did you get it?

Thanks for the input guys, as I can see the OBX doesn't have such a bad reputation.

Paul, you think you would still be able to build that custom bracket if I buy an OBX?

[efnfast]

Bang for the buck. OBX.
Some others may make a little more power.
I think the fitment issues are pretty much the same for all.
OBX made in China.
Rip off of Stainless Works.
I have the OBX and had them ceramic coated.
If the OBX had been just a little cheaper I would have gone for something made in the states. They were a lot cheaper.

[efnfast]

Along with Paul's bracket, you'll also need an o2 extension.

[We Gone]

Been very happy with my SW long tubes coated and installed almost 10 years ago, photo from last year, they have held up well.
As you can see cats work just fine with LT headers. No issues with fit.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/911/bxrhmi.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/911/89xvce.jpg

[Paul Workman]

Where did you get it?

Thanks for the input guys, as I can see the OBX doesn't have such a bad reputation.

Paul, you think you would still be able to build that custom bracket if I buy an OBX?

If I'm not mistaken, some of my brackets are being used on some OBX headers. Tell me this: how thick are the flange (s) on the individual exhaust tubes? I'll need to know that in order to answer that for sure.

[secondchance]

Where did you get it?

Thanks for the input guys, as I can see the OBX doesn't have such a bad reputation.

Paul, you think you would still be able to build that custom bracket if I buy an OBX?

Before I bought my OBX, I had an opportunity to look at Corsa and OBX headers side by side before being installed in cars. Primary tube, angle of bends, stacking were all identical. Only difference was OBX primaries are about 4-5" shorter allowing OBX to add a pair of bullet cat looking pieces most likely so that, if elected, purchaser can easily add a pair of cats. This also moves O2 sensor bungs negating a need to extend O2 sensor connectors. There was no quality difference. Shorter primaries may theoretically reduce hp gain but I'm not convinced this to be a serious compromise.

[Kevin]

I paid under $500 new for mine. With shipping it was about ~$520

under 500$ for corries?

[Karl]

If I'm not mistaken, some of my brackets are being used on some OBX headers. Tell me this: how thick are the flange (s) on the individual exhaust tubes? I'll need to know that in order to answer that for sure.

Paul your dip stick header bracket works and fits perfectly on my OBX headers.

[Karl]

under 500$ for corries?


No, OBX headers.

[Karl]

Where did you get it?

Thanks for the input guys, as I can see the OBX doesn't have such a bad reputation.

Paul, you think you would still be able to build that custom bracket if I buy an OBX?

Racing parts depot. They have a eBay store and at one point had their own website. The website price was cheaper than the eBay price.

I cannot find their website but their eBay store is up.

[efnfast]

Paul your dip stick header bracket works and fits perfectly on my OBX headers.
I'll second that.

[efnfast]

I definately need to relocate my o2 sensor, hence I needed the extension.

[Paul Workman]

I definately need to relocate my o2 sensor, hence I needed the extension.

I relocated mine by "splicing in" a section of (high temp) wire and wrapping it with a heat shield strip before tucking and running it under the existing heat shields.

BTW, for those that wish easy access to the O2 sensors for either general maintenance, OR to remove them temporarily to insert that wide-band O2s when WOT testing on the dyno, may I suggest installing the bungs on the side of the header collectors so that the O2 sensor juts out horizontally toward the rocker panel. That way you'll have access to them w/o even having to jack the car up to get to them.

I welded mine at approx 85º from the top of the collector so they angle above the frame rail out of the way. (I got my Z airborne by about 2-3' - at a 1/2 mile WANNAGOFAST event - before coming down on soft earth and the O2s didn't even gather grass! I think they're OK located there. BUT, you're welcome to duplicate the test to see for yourself...:p)

[MuRCieLaGo]

Thanks for everything guys. Paul, I'll let you know when I buy some headers! Thanks a lot you're really helpful...

[RussMcB]

I read somewhere in this forum, I think, that a particular O2 sensor part number comes with a longer lead. I ordered them, and didn't need an extension (but that may be because the OBX headers have the bung closer to the stock location?).

[dredgeguy]

I purchased SW headers and hope to have them installed shortly. They came with a long lead for one O2 sensor. Will post up photos of the install and video of before and after sound. Now I have Corsa with stock cats. The SW headers have the SW cats.

[cvette98pacecar]

do I even want to know what the jeal copies run?

They are comparable to SW without the member discount.

[MuRCieLaGo]

Guys,

Where do I get an O2 sensor extension? Will I only need one? Driver side or passenger side? And while I'm there, should I replace them? My '91 has 28,000 miles. And is it an emergency to get a chip from Haibeck once my headers are installed?

Thanks!

[efnfast]

Passenger side only.
My mechanic made one with weather pac connectors.
Drive lightly until you get the chip retuned, the car will run lean.

[AZ ZR1]

Hey Guys,

I just recently bought a set of Jeals off CF but unfortunately I just sold my car in the Russo & Steele auction last week because I'm buying a house and that took priority over my car...pretty bummed. Anyways have to start unloading the parts I've been accumulating. So relating to this post Jeals for $900 and also have two brand new B&B fusion mufflers for $200. If anyone is interested PM me with any questions. Thanks!