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Headers Comparison - Pipes for Power

Not All Headers Are Created Equal

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Test 3 Test 4 Difference

Test 3 Test 4 Difference
RPM TQ HP TQ HP HP TQ
2,600 330 163 311 154 -19 -9
2,800 325 173 308 164 -17 -9
3,000 335 191 303 173 -32 -18
3,200 330 201 308 188 -22 -13
3,400 332 215 330 213 -2 -2
3,600 328 225 333 228 +5 +3
3,800 330 239 351 254 +21 +15
4,000 341 260 362 275 +21 +15
4,200 353 282 371 297 +18 +15
4,400 355 297 383 321 +28 +24
4,600 362 317 389 341 +27 +24
4,800 374 342 391 357 +17 +15
5,000 391 372 393 374 +2 +2
5,200 393 389 395 391 +2 +2
5,400 389 400 386 397 -3 -3
5,600 378 403 378 403 0 0
5,800 375 414 377 416 +2 +2
6,000 360 411 362 413 +2 +2
Average Difference +2.6 +3.6

The Long And The Short Of ItThis is an interesting test of header length. Test 5 compares standard-length 151/48-inch headers to Test 6 with the same diameter but shorter-length intermediate headers. By looking at the Difference column, you can see that the shorter headers sacrificed torque below 3,600 rpm but made up for that by making as much as 23 more horsepower at the top. The average torque made by both engines is within 1 lb-ft, which is negligible. Basically, the shorter headers moved the torque higher up the rpm curve. If you plugged the intermediate-length header curve into a light car like an early Mustang or early Chevy II, for example, where you could not use a large tire, then the shorter headers might make traction a little easier to achieve. But you'd want to use the long-tube headers in a big, heavy vehicle or a truck where the stronger torque curve would help acceleration.

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