Dwight Johnson

What are the best headers for my 1988 911 and where should I get them? I check previous threads but not much luck except for a SSI mention. Dwight Johnson

Ed Hughes

I've always felt the SSI's were a bit on the small side for the 3.2. I've had B&B headers, with heat boxes, for probably 7 years now, and they have been fine. B&B has gotten a bad rep on their muffler quality, but there are a number of cars running their headers with no issues.

I have a Flowmaster two out muffler....it sounds, ahem, "healthy". You should consider that it will probably be much louder than what you may have. I'd look at the possibility of a bit quieter muffler, if I did this again tomorrow.

TT Oversteer

George's European Racing Headers seem to perform right at the top and are popular with racers. Steve Weiner sells them as does Smart Racing.

ivangene

a bit OT.. but what are the thoughts on just swapping a cat by-pass (straight pipe w/O2 sensor) into an otherwise stock set up?

g-50cab

The most bang for the buck on the 3.2 cars is a euro premuffler, a sport muffler and a Steve Wong Chip.

After that - the costs accelerate exponentially with diminishing returns.

The B & B headers are a good option - like Ed has - George's European Headers are probably the best design wise - but no heat - and they are made from Steel - not stainless. No matter what I did muffler wise with my B & B - I could not get them to stop a drone right at 2900-3000 rpms.

SSI's are too small for a healthy 3.2

Ed Hughes

As Jeremy says, that is best done with a muffler swap and a chip. Totally reversible, and with some of the muffler options, such and M&K, a quality upgrade.

ivangene

think I will leave it alone...not an area I have 1000's of spare $$$ to throw at..... oh well, sure love the sound of some of them!

Chuck Harmon

you can get a Bursch cat by-pass and muffler for under 500.00, chip...375.00

Ed Hughes

I had a Bursch muffler once-the coating, or lack there of, made it the single worst piece of exhaust I've ever seen. You get what you pay for. The bypass is just a straight pipe.

ron mcatee

I had a Bursch muffler & bypass pipe on my car and it was horrible. The resonance at 2800-3600 rpm was terrible and the muffler sounded as though there were marbles in it. it rattled like hell.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Dwight,

JMHO, if you don't require heat, European Racing Headers work VERY well on these cars and are made in the proper size for a 3.2.

We sell a lot of these things for race cars and hot street cars.

We also coat them with Cermichrome (inside & outside) for longevity & durability.

Call me if you have any questions.

JM993

I've got a set of stock 993 headers that I believe can be made to work on earlier cars. I will let them go for a good price. PM if interested.

Cheers,
Joe

Chuck Harmon

I had the Bursch cat by-pass and muffler on my 83SC. I did use VHT and paint them before installing them.
Had this on my car for 4 years...loved it for the money, and had no problems, definitely better than stock!

Dwight Johnson

Hi g50, please what is a euro premuffler and what is meant when some say the European Racing headers do not have heat? thanks, Dwight

g-50cab

Euro premuffler - made by dansk

It's like a mini muffler that's in place of the factory catalytic converter.

The George's European Racing Headers are just that - headers - they have no heat boxes attached - no heat exchangers - so if you need heat in your car - you'll be out of luck.

George's European Headers


B & B Headers with Heater Boxes


Euro Premuffler to use with the stock exhaust system - attaches to the cross over pipe.