What type of Header is the best|||
- Thread starter ogsp5
- Start date
I have an EssentialSPEED tuned shorty header coming. Kevin claims a dynoed 7+ WHP NA with the bundle of snakes; he didn't quote torque numbers to me, but I suggest that 10+ lbs-ft. might be realistic. Remember that a header is dependent on a number of things for increased HP and torque readings. You have intake air volume and velocity--naturally aspirated or forced (hair-dryer blower), cam and ignition timing, compression ratio and other factors to consider.iluvmacs said:
Most important with today's vehicles is the EMS. The Mazda Protege is very conservative in its programming. To take max advantage of any mods, the EMS should be modified and there are aftermarket units out there. Not cheap, however.
To the point: You want the power band lower, not higher. The higher you have to rev a street engine to get greater torque, the more you have to row the stick like a boar to keep the revs up between shifts. Racing engines
are horses of a totally different color. They also make max use of close-ratio gear boxes to keep torque losses to a minimum when shifting.
Horsepower is fine, but torque is what gets the car out of the hole. The Italians were notorious for building engines with narrow power bands--screamers that were almost unmanageable without constant shifting.
A current example is the Honda S2000. The earlier cars cranked to 9500 with torque coming in at a high level. They changed the cam timing and the gear ratios in the 2004 for more flexibility in everyday driving. Another example is the Mazda RX-8. Not a slouch by any stretch, but the rap against it is lack of low-end torque.
Revving a basically stock Protege 2.0L engine to the 6500 redline when the torque curve peaks at around 4000 is basically dumb. You are gaining max WHP above 5000 , but the grunt that twists the wheels has long since dropped off. You're basically revving the engine for nothing.
Regardless of what mods you're going with, you want to shift at the torque peak or a bit above to get the maximum out of the engine. Winding the tach to 6500 may be cool, but unsmart.
If you have access to a chassis dyno, spend the $$ to get a baseline reading with your engine as is, then add headers and other bits taking another dyno run after each addition. You'll know exactly what the gains are with each mod and where the power curve actually lies.
Well, you're correct, but my goal is to shift the torque curve to the right (higher RPM). I want headers that will make more high end power, because when you add more mods to the engine (intake, cams, timing, etc) the amount of power you'll make is much more, not to mention the gain in mileage at cruising RPM.
twilightprotege
Member
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- 2001 323 Astina SP20 (P5)
who cares about daily driving? personally i'm willing to loose power at 2000rpm to gain it above 5000rpm.
p5sundevil
Member
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- 03.5 MidnightBlue p5
exactly, these engines have enough low end torque as it is to get you going, I want to be able to hear it ripping ass as it passes 3k-3500 and starts screamin towards that red line....mmmMMmm MMMmmm good.
Laser03pro
Member
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- 1995 Miata
What do you guys think about the ractive headers? 4-2-1 no cat suppose to fit nice i heard 1 oil pan prob.
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p5sundevil
Member
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- 03.5 MidnightBlue p5
ractive header is a 4-1 design not 4-2-1 and other than the one oil pan rubbing issue i heard of I have heard of none others.
I don't like the small collector length, but I guess it's a good header, from those that have installed it.
I'd like to get a 4-2-1 for less than $300. Which ones are there? I'd like to make an all-inclusive list of headers we can choose from, but I don't have the time right now. Any takers?
I'd like to get a 4-2-1 for less than $300. Which ones are there? I'd like to make an all-inclusive list of headers we can choose from, but I don't have the time right now. Any takers?
Laser03pro
Member
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- 1995 Miata
Sorry 4-1 your right
twilightprotege
Member
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- 2001 323 Astina SP20 (P5)
i strongly beleive 4-2-1 header is the best for our engines
Laser03pro
Member
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- 1995 Miata
Guys that bought the ractive were sayin they gave real good gains not say there ne better then 4-2-1 but im sure the gain isnt much different.Maybe a lil more low end torque with the 4-2-1.
I just found the one I was looking for. I don't know if it's in stock or what, because the company didn't give me a good reply to my email, but check it out. This is what I want if it's for real...
http://euroticelectronics.com/hp_racing_4_2_1_mazda_header_1.html
http://euroticelectronics.com/hp_racing_4_2_1_mazda_header_1.html
AlbinoMuntjac
Member
Nope, it's only going to eliminate the first one which is a part of the stock exhaust manifold. The second cat is far enough back for that header to mate right up to it. The only problem I see is the EGR bung is on the wrong side.gino said:
