Increasing your vehicle’s performance can be a balancing act, but there’s no wrong place to start. For many drivers, an exhaust upgrade is the go-to choice because it make your vehicle more powerful from later upgrades. It can be done by most DIY enthusiasts with a robust set of garage tools.
Article Summary
How Does Header Kit Work?
Header kits are one of the top choices for exhaust upgrades because they provide the greatest possible gains. Upgrading directly to the right header kit often means being able to focus on any other performance upgrades you want without having to revisit the exhaust.
While it’s not the only premium option, it is usually the one that provides the most benefit because it makes the pipeline for emissions as direct as possible while also increasing the size of the manifold and diameter of the tubes.
Headers do not add power on their own, but they do allow your intake, fuel delivery, and plugs to operate as smoothly as possible by getting exhaust out of the way. That leads to better fuel efficiency and the ability to put more power out by putting more reaction cycles through the engine.
Header kits do have a few trade-offs, though. They often require some extra fitment because headers are often much larger than the OEM manifold, which is often designed to take advantage of the engine space without putting too much pressure on the constraints of the vehicle’s design.
This is not always the case, though, especially with older vehicles that had spacious engine compartments with more extra space than most modern engine designs allow. It’s also not a universally negative aspect of header upgrades, because many drivers view it as an opportunity to get creative with a car’s style lines.
If you are looking for a kit that does not require any extra work to fit, you can find headers in a variety of sizes, which makes it easier to compromise on an upgrade that gives you a faster exhaust flow without demanding more space than your current engine configuration and hood setup will allow. It’s a simple matter of shopping for what you want.
Additional Upgrades for Power and Performance
Headers are a good way to make sure your other upgrades are able to work freely, but that is all they do. Once you see those initial gains, you need to improve the intake or upgrade to a performance EFI to boost your power further.
Performance spark plugs and an upgrade to a turbocharger or even a supercharger can help you get even more power out. Eventually, there will come a time when getting more power simply requires a bigger engine, but there is a lot you can do with what you have if you are careful about your upgrade path.
It starts with the right choice for your premium exhaust, and that means understanding which names are at the top of today’s performance part industry. For weld-up header kits, that is Hooker long tube headers, which are designed with straightforward installation instructions meant to work with a variety of cars. Start looking for your exhaust upgrade today to find the best fit for your vehicle.
Any car lover who wants to get the most of his engine should consider getting a new header kit as one of the most beneficial modifications. The headers effectively enhance the exhaust flow, thereby increasing the horsepower and torque of the vehicle. The following is a step-by-step guide on how you can increase your vehicle’s power by fitting a new header kit.
Advantages of Upgrading to a Header Kit
Switching to a performance header will help to increase horsepower and torque on your vehicle. Headers eliminate exhaust restrictions, thereby enabling more air-fuel mixture to be burned up in the engine, hence increased power.
Better exhaust flow reduces the workload of the engine and can lead to improved fuel economy. Although the pursuit of power is the main focus, an additional increase in MPG can also be useful at times.
A new header kit can also enhance the sound system of your car and make the exhaust sound louder and more powerful. This can help improve the driving experience and also make your car to be unique from the rest. Since the exhaust flow is improved, the system works more efficiently allowing the engine to boost its performance and responsiveness.
Selecting The Right Header Kit
When choosing a header kit, material, design, compatibility, and emissions should be important factors. Headers are normally fabricated from stainless steel, mild steel or are ceramic-coated.
Stainless steel is the strongest and least likely to rust or corrode among all types of steel. Headers can be of different types including shorty headers and long-tube headers. Long-tube headers are better for performance but can be more complex to install because of this.
Make sure the header kit is compatible with the make, model, and engine of your vehicle. They do not fit all vehicles and some of them are manufactured to fit specific vehicles only.
Make sure that the headers are legal in your area before you use them. Some performance headers may not conform to emission standards in some parts of the world.
Installation Process
Fitting a header kit is not an easy process, therefore it will be appropriate to have some tools and some knowledge.
Preparation
All tools required, such as a socket set, wrenches, and torque wrench, should be assembled. Lift the car using a jack and support it using the jack stands.
Remove the Old Manifolds
Remove the battery to avoid any sort of electrical problem. Take off the factory exhaust manifolds by unscrewing them from the engine and the exhaust pipes. This may require other components like the intake manifold to be removed in order to access the said part.
Install the New Headers
Install the new headers carefully and make sure they fit perfectly then use the bolts provided to fix them in place. In order to achieve proper seal, it is very important to adhere to the torque specifications provided by the manufacturer. Ensure that any connections that were severed during the process are reconnected.
Reconnect the Exhaust System
Bolt the headers to the current exhaust system. This may call for some adjustments like cutting and welding to fit properly into the desired position.
Test and Adjust
Turn the engine on and look for any signs of leakage or any strange noises. If everything is properly fine, then one can take the vehicle for a test drive to feel the enhanced performance.
Make Your Vehicle More Powerful
The replacement of a header kit is therefore a worthy investment for anyone who wants to improve on the performance of his or her vehicle. Headers can turn up the intensity of your drive by adding horsepower and torque, enhancing fuel efficiency and, of course, the roar.
So always ensure that you identify the correct kit that corresponds to your vehicle and read the installation procedure in order to have the best outcome.
