NA header, Should I?
01-26-08, 10:01 PM
#26
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The mechanical condition is great, I do have the K&N cone filter on the AFS, though I have been thinking about going back to the stock airbox to smooth out some idle issues.
01-26-08, 10:12 PM
#27
I knw wht u did last sumr
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01-26-08, 10:32 PM
#28
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Im going to agree with these guys, but I have a SP/AuxBP so there was a signficant need for a header. Defintely smoothed out the powerband, and gave a noticable kick up top.
BC
BC
01-28-08, 11:14 AM
#30
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You mentioned air pump in your upgrades list. Does that mean that you upgraded the air pump or removed it?
One thing I neglected in my earlier post is my mileage improvements. With a fresh tune-up and a gentle foot, my stock setup got 24mpg on the highway. After all the intake/exhaust work that went to 27mpg. (For some strange reason, my city mileage went down a bit...)
I think you could get very similar results with the same setup minus the header. It would be a fair bit quieter and would only be slower over about 6000rpm. A friend of mine ran a stock manifold->test pipe->RB(TII) catback system and he loved the power, but was disappointed because it was too quiet!
01-28-08, 02:17 PM
#32
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Well, the airpump was replaced. So its new. Never going to remove the emissions on this car. As far as the AFM is concerned, mounting it level was tough but accomplished. Vac lines are a possibility, got all the ones I could reach without removing the intake, not many I know. Still thinking and taking input on this subject. As of right now I may go with a downpipe and a quality cat back. You guys really think my 6th ports are not functioning due to the lack of pressure?
01-28-08, 02:56 PM
#33
header wrapping will only make the header hotter, as it is designed to trap the heat in. This does NOT help to preserve the header, but is a "performance upgrade" because you end up with less heat off the header in the engine bay, possibly leading to cooler intake air temps.
01-28-08, 02:57 PM
#34
How to Test Your 5th and 6th ports: http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/6porttest.htm
If you clean them and they still won't open, then they probably don't have enough exhaust backpressure. Your best bet is to activate them with a little pressure from the air pump, using a tee and a valve. You can try searching the forums/elsewhere and see if you can find directions. The valve can be cracked open so that it doesn't let through enough pressure until the air pump spins fast enough (at a certain rpm), or you can use an rpm sensor and a relay to trigger a solenoid valve.
The downpipe + presilencer is what you get if you want to eliminate your cat. It is a cheaper alternative to the header, which also eliminates the cat. The header provides almost the same power as the downpipe + presilencer, unless you get a carbeurator. Since you already have a high flow cat, there's no need to get either.
If you clean them and they still won't open, then they probably don't have enough exhaust backpressure. Your best bet is to activate them with a little pressure from the air pump, using a tee and a valve. You can try searching the forums/elsewhere and see if you can find directions. The valve can be cracked open so that it doesn't let through enough pressure until the air pump spins fast enough (at a certain rpm), or you can use an rpm sensor and a relay to trigger a solenoid valve.
The downpipe + presilencer is what you get if you want to eliminate your cat. It is a cheaper alternative to the header, which also eliminates the cat. The header provides almost the same power as the downpipe + presilencer, unless you get a carbeurator. Since you already have a high flow cat, there's no need to get either.
Last edited by ericgrau; 01-28-08 at 03:03 PM.
01-28-08, 03:01 PM
#35
Thanks Eric, and the rest. Ive been seriously contemplating the borla cat back. And someone had offered a bonez superflo midpipe. Doesnt that keep the stock manifold?. Its not a daily driver. I drive the **** out of a 2000 Saturn SL1 and baby the rx7. 90% restored. Im only limited by the emissions and my tolerance for noise. I dont want it to be too loud.
01-29-08, 01:04 PM
#36
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