In addition to my question about intake manifolds, I'd like to get some feedback on headers. I've read many posts about each vendor's header, but what are the differences between the two vendor's products?

SFR SS (304) headers are cheaper ($999 vs. $1295) than LR's SS (304) headers, but it appears that they offer a SS (321) header too, which is STILL cheaper ($1199 vs. $1295). My pocketbook says go SFR - can anyone make an argument for LR?

 

LR has headers now? Where have I been?

 

I just checked them out. Just by looking at the two the Lindsey unit looks just like a stock design. The SFR are much different. I think you get what you pay for with the SFR unit. Also, you can go for the V band and the crossover. That would be nice for a pan gasket change/turbo swap.

 

they look alot like B&B headers.

 

The lindsey doesn't look like the stock header...

 

B&B headers:

 

i think the sfr's are true equal length headers-the others are not if i were buying 'em buy sfr's

 

The stage 2 sFR hgeaders are equal length. The stage 1 SFR headers are not equal length but they are one step ahead of the competition because we use slip-fit merge collectors which none of the other companies do. This allows the expansion and contraction of all four runners instead of just one runner which leads to much better relibability in terms of cracking.We also offer the 321SS headers with a lifetime warranty againsit failure.Our headers cost more to build because of the collectors and we still sell them for less then other companies.The reason being.....we still make some decent money and if you pay anymore then what we are charging, you are getting gouged.Ofcourse this is my opinion so take it for whats its worth.

 

i was right-i'm seriously considering the stage two's but i kind of wanted a big valve head soooo....

 

I would actually wait and get them together. Putting on big valves/port/polish would increase the upper range some, add in equal lenght headers and now you have a MUCH better upper end. If you want more upper end, MAF then just fine tune it. When/if you put on a larger turbo your car will put down some serious HP. Just remember that putting on equal lenght headers will decrease your low end TQ (at least from what I hear).

 

Glad you're here to clear things up. When comparing the stock header to the Lindsey/B&B unit they look very similar. The SFR is acutally a different design. Unlike the others. They basically took the stock routing with a little extra bend in the #4 runner.

 

So then unless you are going all out (Big valve head, PnP job), wouldnt the stage 1 headers (non-equal-length) be the better option so as to preserve torque? Especially considering without the big-valve head, etc you wouldnt be able to take advantage of the stage 2 header design?

Tim, your thoughts?

 

When we put ther stage 2 headers on Project 951 in European Car, we did not lose any torque. In fact we picked up torque after the normal torque peak. Equal length is good for broadening the powerband.



Tim

 

how much increase in HP does a good set of headers provide?

 

Tim, any thoughts on my suggestion for doing a 997tt exhaust?