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Ok, so I have been wanting to add headers to eliminate the troughs in the hp/tq curves at lower RPM's and that "anemic" feeling below 5k rpm, as stated above, but was afraid to pose this question, so as not to upset forum vendors....but here goes
any suggestions on the "best" set of headers (most reliable power gains, quality, custom service, lack of CEL's) fromm the major vendors here...
Dundon
GMG
Cargraphic
Fabspeed
Sharkwerks
BGB
I would be adding the plenum, intake, TB and tune in addition to headers (catless since I will be tracking).
mostly street driving, but probably 12-15 track days per summer at WGI, Mosport, Pitt Race, Mid-Ohio...
are they all pretty equivalent and really tuner dependent or are there major differences?
any and all advice is appreciated!
thanks
Cargraphics race headers with stock exhaust is whats on my car. Get in touch with John at BGB. Its not just about buying the best part, but also about getting the right advice. I am very happy so far.
Just went with caragraphics race as well. I will update hopefully next week with my impressions. Really wanting these to make the car feel more like my old 991S.
I went with Dundon. Excellent build and they are the only ones using 321SS. Easy bolt on installation. To date no CELs. Dundon plans to add cats as an add on in the future.
Some graphs I have of just Race Headers, no tune. One from our Dynojet, and another from PCS Motorsport on their Superflow. Our Race Headers don't mess around
This is Joe at Fabspeed Motorsport USA
I have been a member of the PCA for over 30 years. Some background on Fabspeed Motorsport operations:
Fabspeed Motorsport USA has been designing, engineering, dyno developing and manufacturing headers and exhaust for Porsche air-cooled and wassercooled cars for over 20 years.
We have proven RSR headers with an without catalytic converters for both the air-cooled engines. Also Fabspeed with and with-out catalytic converters for all watercooled engines including the 2017 911 "991.2 3.0 liter Twin Turbo cars".
Come unannounced and visit our 26,000 sqft engineering and manufacturing facility just outside of Philadelphia. Fabspeed is the ONLY operation that has inhouse Flow Mach 4 water-jet, HAAS CNC VF2 mill and HAAS ST10 lathe along with a $500,000 Unison limited defense quality CNC all electric mandrel bender that bends 1 DR up to 3" titanium or Inconel. Fabspeed has oribital TIG and Laser machining capabilities along with a Bystonic German pressbrake. Our DYNO jet is an all wheel drive system with a WEATHER station that automatically inputs data so "no-one" can manipulate correction factors. We also have HUGE dyno fans and not carpet drying scroll fans for maximum aircooling.
Fabspeed has the Right Stuff to engineer and produce super quality performance parts without long winded, redundant, self promotional, obfuscated Harvard University/ Princeton University style theses. We are fully capable of writing volumes of biblical data for the community.
Some thought on Porsche 987/987.2/981/GT4 headers
Fabspeed Motorsport designed over 12 years a sport headers for the 987 Boxster / Cayman platform. Fabspeed made equal length headers with investment cast inlet flanges and merge collectors. These headers were offered with HJS German imported catalytic converters and or with straight pipes/no cats. Statiscally significant gains in power across RPM Band.
These headers were excellent and made significant power with and w/o catalytic converters. From 2004 to 2017 Fabspeed Motorsport USA has continually improved our header designs, engineering staff and engineering and manufacturing processes.
To that end Fabspeed Motorsport was CHOSEN as the sole supplier to the Cayman Inter Continetal Trophy Cup series a professional NASA racing series that ran for many years. The competition was fierce from Germany, Italy and USA to supply headers for the ITC Cayman CUP 987/987.2 3.4 and 3.8 liter race cars. Fabspeed was informed by many independent teams and dyno tests to make headers that made more power than all others while lasting and fitting better. Douggie at ITC Indianapolis choose Fabspeed because of these facts.
Fabspeed made rear catback Max-flo exhaust systems for Street and Racetrack for all these cars. Lightweight highflow systems that added significant power and saved a lot of weight off the ***-end of these cars. Fabspeed supplied many Koni prorace teams and Continental competitors for Grand Am and other pro and amateur race series.
My advice is that if you do occasional track days and want to comply with emissions I would get headers with HJS German genuine catalytic converters. There are Taiwan and other European suppliers that use cheap catalytic converters that will "unravel and break up" and give you CEL lights and misfires and can hurt your engine.
If you get addicted like I did years ago and did 30 to 40 days of track per year..........like 3 Watkins Glens, 3 Summit Points, 2 Mid-Ohios, Mosport, Sebring, 4 Poconos and then CLUB racers annually shipping your car all over kingdom Kom................then get Fabspeed Competition Racing headers with NO catalytic converters.
WHY- even with a factory catalytic converter or a Germany HJS Emitec tier 1 brazed stainless substrate coated catalytic converters you will eventually beat the catalytic converter UP so it becomes a "consumable wear item part that ultimately times out" as would any part on a Racecar.
The good news is Fabspeed Motorsport USA is the #2 world volume buyer of HJS German catalytic converters and we have them on the SHELF for replacement or for fabricators to Buy and weld in for any car. Just call us for your HJS German metallic 200 cell OBD 2 catalytic converter needs. The parts are ON the shelf.
Also I tell Gung-Ho racers and DE drivers that typically Porsche engines are BY & FAR the easiest to Remove & Replace, R&R, a set of headers. So my friends think about it............yes the Porsche engines are fantastic but the exhaust systems is extremely EASY to access and bolting-on and replacing components is a piece of cake versus Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini cars and American muscle cars. Typically on these other non-Porsche cars the headers are close to A/C compressors, serpentine belts and steering racks......... header installation is a PITA.
My advice is to choose a headers that adds power and sports car sound and is easy to install and remove as needed.
Fabspeed has improved our GT4 headers and GT3 headers with the largest possible HJS Germany 200 cell catalytic converters that will fit in the space. These headers add significant reliable horsepower, torque and sports car sound from the 2004 GT3 to the very latest 2017 GT3 cars.
If you want even more sportscar sound and power...........to hunt your buddy/buddies down at the track a set of Fabspeed long tube competition Race headers with Burns Stainless merge collectors with side mufflers bypass pipes and factory OEM 991 GT3 vacuum valves can not be beaten!
Also check out Fabspeed Ferrari headers and other systems. Be our guest and drive a 750HP McLaren or GT2RS that accelerates faster than a Superbike!
Cruise over and take it all in...............there no smoke and mirrors and we cordially invite any and all of you to see our facility, people, culture and systems.
__________________
Fabspeed Motorsport USA
155 Commerce Drive
Fort Washington, PA. 19034 www.Fabspeed.com
P: 215-646-4945
F: 215-646-9828
Exotic Car Performance Experts
Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martin, BMW, Audi and Jaguar.
31 year PCA Club member supporter
14 year Ferrari Club member
1st ever financial supporter of Porsche Fans/ Rennlist
Thanks Joe @ Fabspeed.
Nice to see a reply with statics, facts and history. Bottom line is any half skilled fabricator that use to build headers for Hondas can weld up a set of headers for these P cars. They are not very complicated. A trip down to Pep Boys and buy some Vibrant J bends and junk collectors and some Harbor Freight tools and you could officially claim that your GT4 GT3 had headers too! YEAH.
If I am in the market for an exhaust I would look for shop that has invested capital in the latest equipment and used best materials. Just my opinion.
I went with Dundon. Excellent build and they are the only ones using 321SS. Easy bolt on installation. To date no CELs. Dundon plans to add cats as an add on in the future.
+1
I also went with Dundon, now just have to wait until Spring for the garage to warm up so I can install and use them.
Dundon, Cargraphic, and maybe FVD, have designed their race headers with slip fit collectors that will better stand up to abuse.
I went with dundons, the fact that they use better build quality materials and how transparent they were with their work was a plus. Also, you can't beat having race headers without a CEL and without a tune!
I went with dundons, the fact that they use better build quality materials and how transparent they were with their work was a plus. Also, you can't beat having race headers without a CEL and without a tune!
what are the better materials being used? just the 321SS?
is that really a factor in determining PERFORMANCE of a simple header system?
Not getting into which one offer the most HP per $$$....the 321SS is more of a structural/material benefit.....as mentioned, it's definitely a PLUS for the DMS product BUT it's a $2K plus over the competing brands...so you have to decide if this is a priority for you. IMHO...it boils down on your budget for headers and which design appeals to you from any of the top 4 competing brands.
BBi has not done a great job of promoting their GT4 headers, or pricing them for that matter, but they have a few interesting manufacturing features unique across the other products discussed here. I don't know the efficacy of those features w/ to power, but still interesting. 3D printed collector....cast flanges.....stepped segments....inconel alloy. Price point is outrageous IMO, but that's a personal POV.
Thanks Joe @ Fabspeed.
Nice to see a reply with statics, facts and history. Bottom line is any half skilled fabricator that use to build headers for Hondas can weld up a set of headers for these P cars. They are not very complicated. A trip down to Pep Boys and buy some Vibrant J bends and junk collectors and some Harbor Freight tools and you could officially claim that your GT4 GT3 had headers too! YEAH.
If I am in the market for an exhaust I would look for shop that has invested capital in the latest equipment and used best materials. Just my opinion.
Your post reads like,.......no I can't.
No don't do it I keep telling myself, but really ?????
You sir, just put this whole thread into the toilet with that comment. Differences of opinion are one thing but ......really?
I cannot bring myself to say what I think of your post. Let's just hope it gets resurrected back out of the toilet bowl and more constructive criticism and opinions are posted.