I thought it was a pretty good deal. $399.

I like the design. Kingpin says that they are in pretty good condition. I shouldn't have any more uppipe fitment issues.

More money gone that I didn't have in the first place.

 

Sweet deal Pat! Who are they made by?

I don't know if it's just the pic, but they look huge!

 

They don't know. I don't really care much. They are 4-2-1 (even though it's probably pretty obvious, I had to ask to make sure.). I just like the design. Smooth curves and as straight as possible. Added bonuses (boni?) are unequal length and flexible connections. Everything I was looking for.

 

I saw they were 4-2-1...that's why I think it's a great buy! Brand isn't important, I was just curious

I like the flex joints. What's the deal with unequal length, though. Is the unequal length what gives us the "boxer rumble"??

 

Kind of

 

Care to elaborate? I know it has a lot to do with the horizontal design. I'm just curious, as it seems that the common opinion is that when you change to equal length headers, you lose the trademark sound.

 

I can't state this as fact, but yeah, you've pretty much got it right. Horizontally opposed not only refers to the inertial balancing effect of the pistons and timing; which I believe are a half-stroke apart, but also to the effect of the exhaust pulses not being uniform. I also believe that this is why EM can sometimes be a bear due to the fact that all 4 cylinders are more prone to EGT variances. You may tap your EGT probe into one cylinder and not realize that another (which is supposed to be cooler than the one you tapped) is actually hotter. If you tune to the ragged edge based off of that 'cooler' exhaust runner, taking the cooler runner to a temp just under the unsafe level, you're sure to pre-ignite.

Now please, if someone can correct me. This is what I've gathered since I've had the car, so I'm aware that this may not be (completely) true.

 

Thanks Pat. As always, good info! I think this thread turned into something that "should have been posted in the tech forums". hehehe

 

Now this for $127.

 

on the equal vs. unequal is that equal will lose you the "Suby" sound. I do miss the sound. Ever heard my car (equal length)? I've been told it sounds like the WRC car. The other point I'd make is that the WRC car uses equal length headers, and they use them for a reason (I believe they use Maxim Works, acording to god, they're almost too pretty to install). Exhaust pulses and their relation to the turbo are important. That's why the twin scroll is such a nice setup. The pulses were taken advantage of. Those pipes look big Pat, but you have a 2.5, so I wouldn't worry. One thing I'd do (if it were me), is have them coated (ceramic, Swain, whatever you like). You can see the wrap was burnt (just like mine) from excessive heat. The coating costs about the same as wrap and actually lasts. Plus, you won't have to itch like crazy from the fiberglass embedded in your skin. I had the DEI wrap (nothing against them) that many recommend, and I smoked it bad on the stock turbo. Can't recommend it. I'd advise welding a bung for EGT, but you already have a wideband, and most of the headers out there decrease the egts. I have both, but think the egt gauge is overkill with the wideband.

San

 

I was thinking that I was going to put my EGT into the headers bung and weld one into the downpipe. The EGT gauge has always been my friend. I've never been able (or really tried) to tune via EGT, but it has been a great tool for when I'm going up H2 or H3. My temp would skyrocket. Once, my tune was so close to the ragged edge that I ended up having to go up H3 at about 50 mph because I was seeing like ~1610 dg. Scared me. I kept thinking, 'I hope that what they say about #3 being the hottest is true.' Ha

 

Damn Pat that thing is huge!!!

You probaly here that alot huh? LOL

 

Only when I go to buy a new hat.

 

I wouldn't use that bung in the header for EGT. It's too far away to do much good. I put mine 5-6" off of the closest to driver/driver side pipe. I would love to do all four, but with a wideband, I think it's overkill. Your EGT temps are going to decrease quite a bit. That header looks big, but you've got the displacement to fill it. Coat that sucker!

San

 

I agree with San coat it I've seen what that header wrap can do if left on too long. It can cause your header to rust I don'tt hink it is actually made to stay on permantely...But what do I know..OH and I've seen San's header after it was coated it looked good..