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Do i need new headers if i put on a Supercharger?

lemmuhj

By lemmuhj
in Engines & Drivetrain

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WilliamBos Senior Enthusiast

WilliamBos

Posted
Posted

Well maybe that's because a cast manifold is cheaper to make and is good enough.... I also remember Toyota putting actual headers on the Tundra. Not sure if they still do it, but it wasn't necessary for them to do it but they did.

 

So a stock manifold is "good enough" and will work fine, but headers will just flow better which is what you want if you have forced induction.

Cast iron anything is not cheaper to make than headers. GM put tons of R&D in to these engines, not slapped together like the TV shows make you believe.

 

A set of LSA manifolds would work nicely.

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SouthernSilveradoGuy85 Senior Enthusiast

SouthernSilveradoGuy85

Posted
Posted

Cast iron anything is not cheaper to make than headers. GM put tons of R&D in to these engines, not slapped together like the TV shows make you believe.

 

A set of LSA manifolds would work nicely.

 

Maybe I should have said quicker and easier. Material wise cast iron may cost more since it's probably more material, but it's the labor that cost more to make headers since you have to bend tubes and then weld them together and to the flanges. Trust me, there's a reason they put cast manifolds on instead of actual headers and it has to do with total cost. Headers aren't just for sound, they simply flow better. Again headers aren't a must have which is what the OP is asking, But, headers just flow better. LSA and other higher end LS engines like the LS7 and LS9 are still mass produced. Look at engines in super cars that are more quality and less quantity, they have actual tube headers. By the way, the LSA is just the LS9 that's detuned for the Cadi CTS-Vs.

Silver ice 6.2 Senior Enthusiast

Silver ice 6.2

Posted
Posted

You specifically quoted me on a second post so I directly responded to you.

 

Unless he is buying junk headers, they won't be $500.... More like $1200... Maybe he doesn't have the extra $1200 right now. Maybe he only budgeted for the supercharger.

 

Oohhh yeah, you and your lockable fuel door. ROFL. :rollin:

 

Wow man chill out.... let's get back on track with the op...
lemmuhj Enthusiast

lemmuhj

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Got damn! Lol...wtf yall!?

 

I see/understand everyones point and i appreciate the responses.

 

How would i know if i bought brand___ header just how loud it would be or not be with my Borla? Really dont wanna spend 500-1000 for some nice headers only to be hugely dissapointed that they amplified the sound coming out back. Then what? Get a muffler shop to rig up my catback to be quiter?

transam69230 Enthusiast

transam69230

Posted
Posted

Cast iron anything is not cheaper to make than headers. GM put tons of R&D in to these engines, not slapped together like the TV shows make you believe.

 

A set of LSA manifolds would work nicely.

 

I don't think that is a good idea. Do people really do this? I don't see any performance gains to be had at all.

 

Headers or leave the stock manifolds, but what do I know? I have car that make over 1300rwhp.

Brian Long Enthusiast

Brian Long

Posted
Posted

I have run across other posts about headers where it seems the consensus answer to performance gains from headers is they are not providing much if any gain unless you are making the switch to off-road (aka, long tube) headers.

 

Maybe be good to know if those in favor are talking direct manifold replacements, or long tube.

wuznme Enthusiast

wuznme

Posted
Posted

Not needed and if you do go for headers, make sure they are long tubes.

 

Expect the exhaust to be louder with headers, especially if opt for cat less x-pipe.

Expect the exhaust to be louder with a supercharger.

Expect the exhaust to be louder with headers and a supercharger,

Expect the valve train to be more pronounced with headers,

 

All in all these 2 mods will make your truck louder...

TJay74 Senior Enthusiast

TJay74

Posted
Posted

Here is the main reason GM uses cast iron manifold and not headers. They have to certify the engine to be used thru several .gov programs and processes. If GM uses a cast iron manifold that design can be used across several vehicle platforms under the same part #, partly because the manifold is small and right off of the block, then the down pipes can be changed per vehicle.

 

Headers from the factory would mean that every configuration of that engine that uses those headers would have to be certified for use, the certification process is not cheap at all and has tons of hoops to be meet and driven thru to get the powertrain certified for the vehicles. One header design wont work on multiple platforms likes manifolds do. GM is in this to make money not spend it trying to certify every possible engine powertrain, plus in the end people would bitch about the NVH and the engine noise that comes with headers and the extra heat they notice in the engine bay.

 

So back to the OP, do you have get headers for a supercharger, no you do not. You will probably leave 50rwhp on the table over all in the long run. There are pro's and con's to headers, the pro's far outweigh the con's but money talks at the end of the way and a nice set of Stainless works or Kooks headers are not cheap at all. Both pushing well over $1000 to add on top of the supercharger and then having to get the calibration tweaked as well with a custom tune.

wuznme Enthusiast

wuznme

Posted
Posted

Too many variable to say how much would be gained and where in the power band the gains are seen, but good thing the headers will do is allow the blower to be more efficient and produce more power at lower boost levels which is safer for the motor

truckguy82 Senior Enthusiast

truckguy82

Posted
Posted

OT question

Setup A - has nothing but a super charger and makes 500whp on 8psi of supercharger boost.

Setup B - has full bolt ons, plus supercharger, makes 500whp on 6.5psi

 

Is engine B actually less stressed?

07Softail Senior Enthusiast

07Softail

Posted
Posted

OT question

Setup A - has nothing but a super charger and makes 500whp on 8psi of supercharger boost.

Setup B - has full bolt ons, plus supercharger, makes 500whp on 6.5psi

 

Is engine B actually less stressed?

In better terms: which one is more efficient.

 

RT

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

My 92 has a 383 and a whipple with dart heads and MSD ignition with headers. To enjoy it on the street I have dual 3 inch exhaust high flow cats and high flow mufflers with short glass pack. I would stay away from the headers, otherwise every time you crack the throttle you'll see lights behind you and it wouldn't be headlights from the car you just passed.

Lgetz Senior Enthusiast

Lgetz

Posted
Posted

My 92 has a 383 and a whipple with dart heads and MSD ignition with headers. To enjoy it on the street I have dual 3 inch exhaust high flow cats and high flow mufflers with short glass pack. I would stay away from the headers, otherwise every time you crack the throttle you'll see lights behind you and it wouldn't be headlights from the car you just passed.

Amen to that. Here in deep South Texas we have legions of state troopers helping to secure the border. Witnessed a loud sounding 2000ish Camaro get pulled over after gunning it.
wuznme Enthusiast

wuznme

Posted
Posted

OT question

Setup A - has nothing but a super charger and makes 500whp on 8psi of supercharger boost.

Setup B - has full bolt ons, plus supercharger, makes 500whp on 6.5psi

 

Is engine B actually less stressed?

 

 

Yes

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