Does a header help?
 

OK I've heard mixed things about headers foir rx7's some say that they are great and other say they felt no gain. I'd think that a header would flow better than the stock manifold, but will a header help if my engine isn't ported?

when i put on my headers, i noticed a huge gain in the upper RPMs, if that helps you.

DONT get pacesetters

an exhaust manifold will help if you do the correct mods, most of the people who said there is no gain probably did not bother to upgrade their exhaust system or port the engine and IM. it will only compliment any mods you do to the vehicle, it also depends on the manifold itself and its construction. you generally get what you pay for, a cheap manifold probably will not flow as well or hold up as long. most people have them fabricated to meet their own standards because there is so many variations in exhaust setups for these cars but most people just go Racing Beat because they make everything in exhaust mods front to back so it is a good matched set to begin with.

have u heard of MindTrain, thats what i have on my 86 and wow did i notice a diff.

Go to racing beats website and read about Headers VS downpipe presilencer combos...

They claim that on a STOCK motor, headers will only give 1 HP over a downpipe with the stock manifold.. however, if you've switched to a carb or are planning on running a supercharger... then the headers willl give more.

Also... headers are RETARDEDLY LOUD...... I mean rattle you noodle loud.

But, if you are going to get anything... get tht racing beat stuff.. Its simply made the best.

Also.... you may also want to get an SAFC.... After doing the exhaust mod on my 89 GTU... It was definately quicker,, but seems to hit a wall above 7K..... Turned out that it was hitting 10 AFR above 6K and Dogging out.... After putting an SAFC II on it and getting it up to 12.5, (i know that's still rich fo an N/A, but I didn't want to push it!!!) it was back in business!!!!! This seems to be a common thing in N/A's with full exhausts and intakes..

:withstupi That shit is loud!!!!! My ears hurt after riding in an OPEN exhaust into N1 duals GTUs...oy

yes, very very loud, don't be surprised.

a lot of people claiming gains switch right over from the stock exhaust system to a header setup with straight all the way back (a presilencer or high flow cat thrown somewhere in between in some cases). what i really want to know is how much the header itself makes over the stock exhaust manifold.

right now the only thing stock in my exhaust system is the 'reactive' exhaust manifold. i have a custom straight pipe replacing the cats, a custom y-pipe, and then some straight through mufflers. i definetly noticed a significant gain over stock, but i don't know how much headers would add to this.
i have also heard that most of the gain is the in upper powerband

this same argument could also be said for a true dual setup. of course you are going to see gains over stock, but like i said most people take out their cats and go straight when they do this...

as for the noise, it is definetly louder (than even a straight system with the stock manifold), but the thing i've noticed is that it changes the tone quite a bit. and it's not exactly a good change. i find that it's a lot higher pitched and a lot more 'choppy'. but this is also dependent on what you have after the headers. a complete Racing Beat system actually sounds quite nice (must be the mufflers).

so to be honest with you, the minimal high end power gain and increased noise that $200+ headers will give is not worth it to me, at least not at this point. but if you are looking for all the power you can get, then i suppose it is required. in that case go Racing Beat.

well, if you've ever looked at a stock exhaust manifold close up, the exhaust flow has to slam into a wall coming out the engine, make a right turn, slam into the ceiling, then get diverted downwards to the cats.

Back in my n/a days, switching from a downpipe to headers made a huge difference. Then again I had everybolt on you could do. RacingBeat headers are not optimal, they have flaws. Piping diameter is smaller than exhaust port, runners curve too soon...

how much do they go for?

im going to get rid of my dual exhaust but im not sure yet what else to get or from who.id like to at least go with a header- single exhaust set up.

Well if i get a racing beat i'm gettin the road race header and running 2.25 true dual, currently i have a 2.5 inch pipe from stock header to racing beat cat back. And i already have a safc and a local shop here, Chaos Performance Tuning, just got a dyno and wideband that i'll use to toon it as soon as it's all installed

You've obviously never owned them and are only going by what you've heard. They make a HUGE difference over the stock manifold. Maybe they aren't as good as Racing Beat's but they do make a great improvement in power. I've owned both Pacesetter's and Racing Beat's BTW.

it's not that loud. i have the rb header and 2 1/2inch catbach, going to a custom Y pipe with raptor mufflers.. it's loud yes but only after like 3000rpm. i personally like the sounds it makes. . maybe it's just me. they sound good. not too louod but not quit by any means. just my .02

I've used Racing Beat's and the generics from J.C. Whitney. Both gave me about 15 HP and better high RPM performance with stock engines (about 15% on a 12a) and seemed to go up by the 15% as other mods boosted the HP. Both held up equally and Whitney's cost a whole bunch less. (I had a set of each side by side and they looked identical except the Racing beat unit's welds looked a little prettier. Both were used on 12a carb engines. The tubes on both were larger than the 12a ports and when we opened the exhaust ports, they gave even more power. I haven't played with the 13b headers to see how they compare to the port diameter.(My GTUs is a rare version that is going to stay completely stock.) Also be advised that some headers have the smog fittings and some don't. I live in Nevada, which requires annual smog checks. Many states are talking about putting in smog test laws. Make sure you will be able to use your 7 in the years ahead. As far as the noise? Don't bother with a sound system You won't be able to hear the stereo anyway. A rotary sounds like it has straight pipes no matter how good the mufflers when you add headers. Be ready to be stopped for "Noise Pollution" if you piss off law enforcement.

i'm willing to bet anything other than the stock one is an improvement. what i meant is, save you money, spend like 100 bucks more, and get Racing Beat.