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If you want to ensure your vehicle performs at the top of its ability, engine efficiency should be your number one concern. Making it as easy as possible for your car’s engine to run will help with everything from horsepower output to fuel economy. One of the first places you can start when trying to make your engine more efficient is the exhaust system. With better exhaust flow, your vehicle's engine will be much easier to operate, and you will most likely notice an immediate difference.
The best way to improve the exhaust flow in your vehicle’s engine is to replace the stock exhaust manifold with headers. Many automotive enthusiasts use aftermarket exhaust headers to make their vehicles run better and to get more power out of the stock engine. Once you learn more about headers and what they do, you make the most of your vehicles and keep them in better shape for longer.
What Do Car Headers Do?
Car exhaust headers give your vehicle’s engine more space to expel exhaust gases. This creates a better flow, which in turn helps the engine operate at a higher efficiency level. With headers, your engine will have less back pressure, and the exhaust will be fully expelled when it makes another revolution. Headers can also give your vehicle a louder, lower tone. If you want to make your vehicle operate and sound its best, headers are a great place to start.
Headers Vs. Exhaust Manifold
Most vehicles come with an exhaust manifold rather than headers. Exhaust manifolds are cast iron or steel one-piece gas collectors built more for engine bay space than internal flow, whereas headers try to optimize and balance the exhaust flow from each cylinder. Because of this, many automotive enthusiasts and car lovers prefer headers vs exhaust manifold units.
Installing aftermarket headers can give your engine better performance than the stock manifold in the form of more horsepower and slightly better fuel efficiency. While you may have to adjust for fitment and compatibility in the engine compartment, they can help you maximize your vehicle’s engine.
Types Of Headers
There are several different types of exhaust headers, each with advantages and disadvantages. Knowing what the various types do and how they can enhance your driving experience will help you decide when to replace your manifold with headers.
Short Tube Headers
Short tube headers have smaller, more direct tubes to the output area of the header. They are designed to be an easier replacement for the stock exhaust manifold and are more suited for vehicle fitment than longer headers. However, despite their smaller size and easier installation, they still offer enhanced engine performance. If you want to make an aftermarket exhaust upgrade without worrying about modifying your engine, short tube headers will be your best bet.
Long Tube Headers
Long tube headers work just like the short tube version but are much bigger. If you are looking for the biggest, lowest engine note and the best performance, long tube headers are a great option. They offer more exhaust flow and will allow the engine to run as freely as possible without any back pressure in the combustion chamber to work against the pistons.
Ceramic-Coated Headers
Your engine's headers are exposed to a lot of heat and corrosive gases that can cause them to wear out or deteriorate fairly quickly. Ceramic-coated headers are covered in a ceramic material that helps reduce the possibility of your headers getting damaged over time. They can also help lower the overall temperature of the engine compartment, which is a great feature if you want to protect the other components in that relatively small area.
Tri-Y Headers
Tri-Y headers use a complex combination of different exit points throughout the header for the ultimate exhaust flow. These headers have a four-into-three-into-two setup that diffuses the exhaust efficiently and creates better torque at a lower RPM. These are your best bet if you are looking to improve engine performance over any other benefit with your aftermarket header installation.
Should You Add Headers? Benefits & Differences
While you may know what headers do, you’ll still have to decide whether they suit your vehicle. Knowing the benefits of headers and the difference they can make in your engine will help you make the right choice.
Better Exhaust Flow
One of the most important benefits of adding aftermarket headers to your vehicle is improving your engine’s exhaust flow. By improving the exit of gases from the combustion chamber, your engine will breathe a lot easier, creating more horsepower. While the amount of extra horsepower you get will depend on your engine and the type of headers, you can expect to add anywhere between 5 and 15 percent more by making the switch.
Louder Exhaust Sound
If you want to get a deeper, more satisfying tone out of your engine, headers are the best way to do it. Because the headers open up the exhaust flow and give more resonance to the engine, you can improve the sound and make it much louder and fuller. This is especially helpful if you already have a high-powered engine like a V8 with a naturally deep and resonant tone.
Fuel Efficiency
Reducing exhaust back pressure in your engine’s combustion chamber will make the process of creating energy much more efficient. In some cases, this can improve your vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency. However, this won’t always happen, and the improvement will depend on many other factors, like driving conditions, engine size, and ECU calibration.
JEGS: For All Your Automotive Needs
If you want to maximize performance with high-quality exhaust headers, JEGS has you covered. Feel free to browse our extensive product selection and have your items sent straight to your door.
