Header design

From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Argument for larger collectors)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
[http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b6.htm norco online] [http://boc4tmon.blogdiario.com/ free nokia ringtones] [http://darrota.blogdiario.com/ free sony ringtones] [http://naughtyburrito.blogspot.com 10 best casino online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=366 viagra online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=acelsitrac free nextel ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$133 cheap ultram] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=321 cool ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832219) but lorazepam] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=154 free cingular ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031aa.htm generic valium] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1122 free real ringtones] [http://acolosit.jubiiblog.de/ free qwest ringtones] [http://trocviboc.blogdiario.com/ alprazolam online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=114 carisoprodol online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832212) funny ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832214) buy hydrocodone] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=305&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 cheap valium] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1111 hgh online] [http://getcopas.blogdiario.com/ ultracet online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=140 nokia ringtones] [http://eudrayv.blogspot.com picture pill valium] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=varbocget lorazepam online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=357 sony ringtones] [http://bascoor.blogdiario.com/ cheap nexium] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=153 free polyphonic ringtones] [http://eldronno.jubiiblog.de/ cheap zoloft] [http://domlili.blogdiario.com/ cool ringtones] [http://psmorrison.blogspot.com snorting valium] [http://forum.kharkiv.edu/SForums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=298&FORUM_ID=3&CAT_ID=3 tramadol online] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031d0.htm free mp3 ringtone] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1071 fioricet online] [http://zellial.jubiiblog.de/ ultracet online] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$138 but xanax] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$137 online vicodin] [http://nodarel.blogdiario.com/ order meridia] [http://smallbald.blogspot.com best casino gambling online] [http://chuvak-org.blogspot.com valium dosage] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/citybix.htm cheap xanax] [http://elcnazel.blogdiario.com/ prozac online] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/tonywe-230.html carisoprodol online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=ololitroc cheap propecia] [http://ersitget.jubiiblog.de/ lisinopril online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832197) alprazolam online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=151 music ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$89 alprazolam online] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031d5.htm free real ringtones] [http://reltrdar.blogdiario.com/ propecia] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$102 motorola ringtones] [http://domc4tvi.blogdiario.com/ but soma] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1103 buy tenuate] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$87 adipex online] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/rizo-242.html cheap meridia] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832239) free samsung ringtones] [http://getelor.blogdiario.com/ free mtv ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=146 qwest ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832200) carisoprodol online] [http://c4tacdom.jubiiblog.de/ sonyericsson ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1082 clonazepam online] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$112 real ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1073 diazepam online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/konevow.htm free mono ringtone] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/soseh.htm free verizon ringtone] [http://caboel.blogdiario.com/ cheap clonazepam] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1139 wwe ringtones] [http://drongetpas.blogdiario.com/ didrex] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/pinyt.htm free sprint ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832195) buy adipex] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832202) free cingular ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=110 tramadol online] [http://mkiss47346.blogspot.com advice casino online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832240) sharp ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=monoror cyclobenzaprine online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=rellileto free sprint ringtones] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/rojyl-228.html cheap valium] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=122 order meridia] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832244) sonyericsson ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=313 alltel ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=328 funny ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832247) buy ultracet] [http://eralchi.blogdiario.com/ music ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1067 order valium] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=fonewbur cialis online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=346 buy phentermine] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1143 free mtv ringtones] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/hocij.htm generic levitra] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1116 free ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=wolena clonazepam online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1127 verizon ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b3.htm cheap viagra] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=cnaorboc buy ambien] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=342 free nextel ringtones] [http://elllimacc87.blogspot.com lexapro and valium] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=131 ambien online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=368 wellbutrin online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=getboctroc buy wellbutrin] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=pasletosit free tracfone ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=rolouacel free mp3 ringtones] [http://basacelta.blogdiario.com/ free real ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=escaffey online phentermine] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=pijasper soma online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/vuzo.htm generic diazepam] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=tevaith norco online] [http://bocvidom.jubiiblog.de/ fioricet online] [http://eltaget.jubiiblog.de/ free cingular ringtones] [http://sitbasel.jubiiblog.de/ free real ringtones] [http://nodelolo.jubiiblog.de/ cheap albuterol] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=darerla polyphonic ringtones] [http://caviou.jubiiblog.de/ prozac online] [http://rolvidel.jubiiblog.de/ cheap cialis] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=315 ambien] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1102 buy celexa] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1093 propecia online] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=149 free samsung ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832223) motorola ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1118 free funny ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832245) free sprint ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=150 sprint ringtones] [http://cocoleto.blogdiario.com/ cheap phentermine] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$97 free ringtones] [http://trrelvar.blogdiario.com/ free kyocera ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1114 buy zyban] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=158 mono ringtones] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/gulel-233.html ultram online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1088 xenical online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/veco.htm free real ringtone] [http://chibovi.blogdiario.com/ cheap xenical] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=chitrel free cingular ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=331 kyocera ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$122 sonyericsson ringtones] [http://handspunyarns.blogspot.com valium overdose] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832209) free ericsson ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=326 cheap fioricet] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$116 cheap soma] [http://liricbo.blogdiario.com/ cheap wellbutrin] [http://carolli.blogdiario.com/ fioricet online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1089 wellbutrin online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=olositbo free sharp ringtones] [http://leeticarus.blogspot.com what does valium do] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=341 nexium online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1138 midi ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=156 sonyericsson ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031c4.htm paxil online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832221) midi ringtones] [http://sand-stars.blogspot.com valium sale] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1086 cheap ambien] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$124 free sprint ringtones] [http://orladron.jubiiblog.de/ adipex online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=316 cheap ativan] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1091 buy nexium] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/AngelKristofer/zyxuwu.htm free sagem ringtone] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832199) cheap ativan] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=336 mono ringtones] [http://delricc.blogdiario.com/ lorazepam online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=327 free ringtones] [http://taroelt.jubiiblog.de/ mono ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=147 free real ringtones] [http://www.rso.cmich.edu/prevet/messageboard/000031b2.htm generic ativan] [http://discussions.csbsju.edu/general/messages/25/gejobi-229.html phentermine online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/popydi.htm generic norco] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1142 ericsson ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$92 buy cialis] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=acdrago ultram online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832229) nokia ringtones] [http://www.csun.edu/learningnet/discussion/file.php?0,file=129 levitra online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832237) real ringtones] [http://cacorol.blogdiario.com/ free ericsson ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1104 ortho online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832211) free ringtones] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=353 samsung ringtones] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832206) order cyclobenzaprine] [http://relgetvar.jubiiblog.de/ wellbutrin online] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=349 punk ringtones] [http://pasorbas.jubiiblog.de/ cool ringtones] [http://vigetc.jubiiblog.de/ buy clomid] [http://livior.blogdiario.com/ free alltel ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1106 lortab online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832207) diazepam] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1130 free sagem ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=sajohnst ativan online] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1123 free motorola ringtones] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$105 free nextel ringtones] [http://racalmon.jubiiblog.de/ buy meridia] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1030?id=atch1115 free nokia ringtones] [http://algetca.jubiiblog.de/ cheap paxil] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1031?id=atch1132 free sony ericsson ringtones] [http://silly-n.blogspot.com best bonus casino online] [http://delelro.jubiiblog.de/ free sprint ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=vipasac alltel ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=lirolsit buy xenical] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$130 tramadol online] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=coeignus buy fioricet] [https://www-internal.slac.stanford.edu/glast/integrationtest/online/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=347 free polyphonic ringtones] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=rebangas carisoprodol online] [http://www8.vjc.edu/EnvironmentalClub/discuss/msgReader$90 buy ativan] [http://getnoel.blogdiario.com/ ambien online] [http://pathology.jhu.edu/N/n.web?EP=N&URL=/MCGI/SEND1^WEBUTLTY(200,832196) free alltel ringtones] [http://src.moffitt.usf.edu/sf/sfmain/do/downloadAttachment/projects.jaffy/tracker.bug_tracker/artf1029?id=atch1097 clomid online] [http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~twiki/pub/Main/CoyarCharline/pecybu.htm generic alprazolam] [http://www.forumhosting.org/forum.php?mforum=notrocvi free samsung ringtones] What is a header? To some it is a bunch of tubes that connect the exhaust port to the rest of the exhaust system. To the more mechanically curious it is  a system of tuned length and diameter tubes connecting to a device that amplifies and optimizes the wavelength of the exhaust, effectively sucking burnt gasses out of the engine's cylinders.
+
{{youcanedit}}
 +
==Introduction==
 +
To some, a header is just a bunch of tubes that connect the exhaust port to the rest of the exhaust system. To the more mechanically curious, it is a system of tuned length and diameter tubes connecting to a device which amplifies and optimizes the wavelength of the exhaust, effectively sucking burnt gases out of the engine's cylinders.
  
I realize in the street rod world absolute mechanical efficiency often takes a back seat to appearance, clearence issues and ease of installation. I do think however most of us overlook the benefits of a properly designed and built header and how it can improve driveability, power output and fuel economy. If you are building headers or modifying existing headers, why not try to keep the physical operation of a header in mind while working on it?
+
In the street rod world, absolute mechanical efficiency often takes a back seat to appearance, clearance issues, and ease of installation. However, most of us overlook the benefits of a properly designed and built header and how it can improve drivability, power output and fuel economy. If you are building headers or modifying existing headers, why not try to keep the physical operation of a header in mind while working on it?
  
The two most important aspects of header design are tubing diameter and primary tube length. This is definitely one area where the "Bigger is Better" philosophy doesn't cut it. Most very mild small blocks out there would perform better with 1 1/2" primary tube headers on them. Ever try to find primary tubes that small? I had a pair of Hooker headers for a 318 powered Dodge pickup once, nice torque and driveability improvement, but that's the only pair I have ever seen with tubes that small. Pity that.
+
==Collector size==
 +
===Argument for smaller collectors===
 +
Ever see a car header with 1 5/8" primaries that had a 2 1/2" collector? Hooker makes them for trucks, but you don't see them for cars. But that is the optimum diameter for many street headers. Run that right into a 2 1/2" exhaust and you have a sweet system with lots of torque where you need it, and better fuel economy to boot. The collector should have a smooth, gentle shape from the four tube area down to the final diameter to keep things moving smoothly.
  
Just like putting a 300 degree duration cam in a 350 inch small block with 8:1 compression will kill any driveability and torque (but the idle sounds neat - until you hear a high compression big cam motor), putting a set of 1 3/4" headers on a mild small block will kill torque and driveablility, not to mention fuel economy.  
+
If you have very healthy big block, are running a blower, turbo, or nitrous, a 3" header may be appropriate. However, about the only street application of the monster 3" diameter pipe is when you count on having an engine with a lot of top-end power. Otherwise, velocity is king in exhaust and 3" is probably too big to keep the speed of the gases up in the exhaust, and there goes that bottom end torque again! Many recommend either 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" diameter pipe for street V-8's.
  
What horsepower does your engine ''REALLY'' make? Most guys overestimate horsepower, RPM range etc. of the motor in their ride. Consider that the GM ZZ4 crate motor makes 355 hp and the Mopar Performance 5.7 Hemi crate motor makes 360 horsepower with great heads (as for the Hemi, excellent heads), roller cams and brand new everything. How much power is your 350 with 50,000 miles, stock iron heads, 268 degree cam and 8:1 compression going to make? The two engines I mentioned above would be ideal candidates for headers with 1 5/8" primary tube headers at 36" long with a 2 1/2" collector and exhaust system.
+
===Argument for larger collectors===
 +
A larger-than-needed exhaust system won't necessarily "kill" your low end torque. Any engine that makes respectable low end power will continue to make low end power regardless of a sewer pipe sized exhaust. SOME power may be lost, yes. Usually not enough to make a difference on MOST V8 engines that are even close to being tuned right. Even a stock big block can make complete use of a 3" single exhaust system. Some even come with that size STOCK.
  
That brings me to primary length. Let me begin by saying, those "shortie" headers are not headers, just tubing manifolds designed for clearance and not horsepower or torque. I know they look like they would flow better than manifolds and probably do in many instances, but unless you are running a supercharger, you need more than flow out of a header. The bothersome part of the "shortie" (other than length) is that the collector is so short and causes a lot of turbulence right where the flow needs to be smoothed out.
+
The majority of torque "lost" from the bottom end of the power band has actually been moved upwards in the powerband, into the midrange. This can help performance during highway driving and towing, and may provide better passing power when needed. A more powerful midrange tends to make the low end seem less powerful, simply because the engine pulls better in a different part of the RPM range. Most people that think they lost low end power are simply noticing that the engine pulls better in a different way, even if NO low end power was ever lost.
  
I know a lot of you guys are using them and are happy with them, but Hot Rods are about making things better, faster and more efficient aren't they? Just giving some food for thought.
+
==180 degree exhaust system==
 +
One thing that has not been discussed is the unequal firing order from one bank to the other. One college research paper on a Jaguar racing engine having a 105% volumetric efficiency, the torque peaks vs rpm looked like the Grand Tetons.  
  
Anyway, back to primary tube length - most street engines that are operated in the idle to 5500 range (yes, your 350 may rev 6500, but is it making any power up there?) work very well with 36"-38" primary tubes. This is the length necessary for the shock wave in the tube to reflect back to the exhaust valve and create a vacuum which will suck the burnt gasses out of the Combustion chamber. This is provided that the primary tube has the proper diameter to keep the velocity of the gasses up.  
+
The 1963 Ford Indy engine had the "bundle of snakes" exhaust system on the top with pipes crossing over to have 4 equally spaced exhaust charges in each exhaust header, some race car headers had pipes crossing under the trans to get equal charging in each header. This system is called a 180 degree exhaust. It has some advantages in racing situations, but for the most part it's a very difficult and costly system to manufacture, package and install/service in a production vehicle.
  
Another thought - equal primary tube length. If the length of the primary is part of the tuning equation, how well does an engine run with different primary tube lengths? Try and jet that carburetor without pulling your hair out! Most of the commercially availble headers out there have a large variance in tube length. Check out a set for a big block mopar in a B or E body for an example. I have measured a 16" variance from longest to shortest tube on these units.
+
==Gaskets==
 +
There are many different types and sizes of header gaskets on the market today. Composite are common, as is fiber types. The composite gaskets seem to hold up a little better, all else being equal, but the main thing is to retighten the header bolts often- like every time the engine is heat cycled- until the fasteners take a set.
  
Check out this pair of Big Block Chevy Headers
+
[[File:Foil exh gasket sbc1.jpg]]
  
[[Image:unequal.jpg]]
+
{{!}}Remember- keeping the bolts tight is very important to keeping the gaskets from burning out.
  
the driver's side rear tube (in yellow) must be about 10"-12" shorter than the next tube (in red).
+
For the SBC and any other engine that uses these gaskets as a stock replacement: If/when the gaskets take a dump, try a set of the foil backed composite gaskets that come in most rebuild gasket sets. If they'll fit the head and header ports, they will work as good as most any more expensive composite gasket if the bolts are kept tight.
  
This would mean that the shortest primary tube would not create a scavenge for that cylinder, so that cylinder would not make the same power as the others, and would require different jetting and timing than the others as well. How do you do that with a standard kettering distrubutor and a simple carburetor?
+
Regardless of what gasket that is used, trim the ID to fit the largest port, be it the header or the head port so there's no overhang into the port. After trimming, start all the bolts and just drop the gaskets into place. Other header gaskets can have the bolt holes slotted in the same way as the foil backed gaskets shown above, for easier installation.
  
I guess all we can do is create our headers properly or reconfigure existing units to work as they should and not give ourselves tuning headaches. When big name header manufacturers say equal length, they must be talking out their collectors.
+
==See also==
 +
*Wikipedia article on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifold_%28automotive_engineering%29 exhaust manifolds]
 +
*[[Headers]]
 +
* http://www.wallaceracing.com/header_length.php
  
Now we get to the collector - ever see a header with 1 5/8" primaries that had a 2 1/2" collector? No, me neither. But that is the optimum diameter for most street headers. Run that right into a 2 1/2" exhaust and you have a sweet system, lots of torque where you need it and better fuel economy. The collector should have a gentle smooth shape from the four tube area down to the final diameter as well to keep things moving smoothly.
+
[[Category:Engine]]
 
+
[[Category:Exhaust]]
While we are on the subject, I see the proliferation of 3" exhaust systems out there. If you have very healthy big block or are running a blower or some turbos or even a ton of nitrous, you go boyee! Otherwise, velocity is king in exhaust and 3" is probably too big to keep the speed of the gasses up in the exhaust, and there goes that bottom end torque again.
+
[[Category:Undeveloped articles]]
 
+
[[Category:Undeveloped Engine articles]]
Summary:  
+
[[Category:Undeveloped Exhaust articles]]
 
+
1. "shortie" - not a header
+
 
+
2. Bigger diameter is NOT better
+
 
+
3. Longer tubes are better
+
 
+
4. Equal length is important for tuning and power output
+
 
+
5. Long and smooth collector is a good thing
+
 
+
6. Be reasonable with the size of your exhaust system
+

Latest revision as of 15:46, 5 May 2022

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Categories
Toolbox