To buy headers or not?
 

I have AAM non catted test pipes, Z1 ported intake, Takeda short ram intakes, and a Top Speed Pro1 cat back!

I was really debating buying some Megan racing headers (as I found some at a good price $300) and also heard good reviews on their products!

My question is. Will I have much of an increase in sound or power, if I’m already running cat less test pipes, cat back, intakes an Z1 intake?

Currently am not tuned. But maybe planned in the future. I moniter my A/F-R and it’s not off and car runs very healthy, so tune isn’t really NEEDED at this point. So maybe in the future.

I also don’t have a CEL for my test pipes right now. I’m assuming if I removed the stock manifold and pre cats I would def 100% have a CEL and possibly throw A/F-R off.

So is it worth it? Or not? :confused:


http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/...psph8j7xuv.jpg

You'll make very little additional power, the labor bill will be high, and Megan racing is eBay garbage.

Get a different intake or extend the current one. You will make more power per dollar there

I do all my own work. So labor price wouldn’t be an issue. But even if I went to a better brand, it’ll be minimal additional power?

Yep. Shorty headers other than the Z1s are a waste of time. Long Tubes, Z1(which requires DE test pipes), or stock.

I thought about maybe getting rid of my current AAM test pipes and going long tube! Was worried about clearance under car. I heard they stick down a bit further than test pipes or stock and I’m pretty low. My only concern. And if I went with Z1 shorty headers I’d need DE test pipes? Hmm didn’t know that. Guess that’s a no from me. Very minimal gains. Almost guaranteed I’ll need a tune afterwards and not to mention having to deal with those demon bolts again. No thanks lol ! Haha

If you really want headers. There are only 3 out there that are worth it. FI, PPS, and the Z1 shorty. I have the FI lth's. They do not stick down any farther then the stock exhaust. Doing the install yourself. The right side should not take you more then 1.5 hrs. The left side will take you about 5 to 6 hrs. The heat shield is a mother to get out. Plus you have to remove the steering shaft to have enough room to get the manifold out and the header in.

Seconded. Like Rusty, I have the FI lth's. Loved the results.

You will get minimal gains from installing shorty headers. The only shorty headers that would be somewhat worth it are the Z1 headers. Unless you are doing the labor yourself labor will be expensive right side should be 1-2 hours and the left side is a PITB probably 5-6 1/2 hours just depends on how fast you work really. One of the best choices you will ever make on your Z is deciding if you want to install headers because they can be hard to unbolt the evil bolt can be frustrating to remove. The steering shaft and heat shield are hard to remove and it takes time. The only full length longtube headers I would recommend would be the PPS or FI longtube headers.

Is there an echo in here? :rofl2:

By going with either the Z1 shorty or lth's. You don't have to mess with the demon bolts. Just remove the stock manifold, and down tubes in one piece. ;)

Also the 2014+ 370Z has upgraded Nissan headers manifolds from the previous years. You will still gain power from installing headers no matter how minimal they may be. I have seen the FI headers in person they are some quality peices but they will cost you a pretty penny.

What you get is not worth the effort. But if you're into "yeah it's got headers", then go for it. Put your $ and effort on cooling, suspension or a 4.08 gear instead.

No recommendation or mention for Motordyne LTH? Just curious.

Not too many have posted about them. Not a lot of data on them let to give a thumb up or thumb down.

ssfirehawk had ppe long lth (I am not sure the before mentions pps are the same) on his supercharged z. I would say that would the only better reason to get lth.

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Yeah the time & money into quality headers for minimal gains over my existing mods isn’t worth it for me.

It already has full cat back and test pipes and is plenty loud / noticeable gains for me. If I was going to pickup the gains I did when I installed test pipes in addition to existing mods. Then cool.

But if it’s gonna be just a few HP I think I’ll just skip that. I already have all suspension components I want (Tanabe Coils with stiffer swift springs, upgraded sway bars, bushings, end links and camber / toe arms and bolts) she handles like she’s on rails. And I don’t rag on my car enough to upgrade cooling and my stock sport package gearing is just fine for me.

Honestly that was the last bolt on I was considering. My last 370z I had the NST pulley kit on and I liked how much faster it revved. But I honestly don’t think I’ll be installing headers or pulley kit on this one. And those were the last 2 performance based mods I was considering. Maybe a super charger if I can find a good used one for a good deal.

Also halfway considering going air ride. But very indecisive on it.

I made great power with Mortordyne LTH, but it’s a bitch to install idk if it’s any different on a 370 but at least my g37.

Doing the motor mounts on mine and may need to remove the exhaust manifold. Debating on doing headers since the work is already done for the most part. However, HP/Cost is not good. To make any real power, supercharger or turbo is the way to go.

i gained 16whp and 3wtq with my z1 headers.. i already had full exhaust and HFC before i installed them..
Baseline no tune
291whp and 233wtq
after header install only no tune
307whp and 236wtq
tuned i made 310whp and 240wtq

I’m new to this platform and I am interested in the horsepower per dollar topic. Of course the answer to “is it worth it” and “what should I do” is dependent on the owner’s goals with the car among several other things, but I’m curious about what modifications make the most improvement in power.

From what I’ve read, a good 3” long tube intake system and a tune are a must along with maybe a solid, free-flowing catback and mid pipes, but what would be the best next step? Headers can range from $800-$2,000 plus labor, but some have said horsepower gain is minimal so would it be best to invest in maybe E85 and/or ported intake manifolds etc?

I’m all about horsepower and having a good sounding car, but I also want to give some attention to suspension and handling. Don’t see FI in my future with this car, but I do want to add bolt ons and other things that would make this car even more enjoyable to drive :driving:

Great thread, and kindly allow me to ask this question:
A friend of mine, who is a tuner, said that 370z 2014+ no need for short headers, if I put test pipes, because they improved the stock one, and if you want a header go for long tube. That what he said.

Personally, I want the short ones, because it is easy to pass the registration test every year we do. However, I have read a lot about Z1 short headers, and how effective they are. So, now my question is, is it really worth it to go for short headers with test pipes I have with catback or no, it is not worth it? In other way, am I getting with z1 short headers 10+ whp or no?

Many thanks for sharing your experiences. Highly appreciated.
NAS

Z1 products are good but also have a lot more hype than reality. I don't understand why inspection would be a problem for LTH vs STH and test pipes except if you are swapping back catalytic converters. Generally Fast Intentions LTH are the best option performance wise. But from a Dollars for HP perspective I'd avoid LTH or STH as the gains are modest but expensive. But if your looking to squeeze every little bit of HP/TQ then you gotta spend the $$$.

Here is a thread of some who had z1 headers and saw gains of 16whp over stock headers, and with retune added additional 3whp or a total gain of 19whp.

https://www.myg37.com/forums/engine-...ml#post3958002

Here is another result comparison of stock vs z1. Moncef from Admin Tuning saw 18whp gain with tuning, so very similar results. He said he runs Tomei headers on his personal cars and also saw gains of 19whp with retuning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPv3pRV1kTI

Here is another one of Moncef's video where a customer of his switched to ISR longtube and ISR y pipe from stock headers and tomei y pipe and saw gains of 20whp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGz9DjWSMgY

Thank you ...

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Many thanks for the videos ..
It is true, and because I will need to go for short ones due to the regulations we have here, to keep switching between test pipes and catalyst whenever I do regulation renewal test.

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In my opinion, the only worthwhile options are the Z1 shorties and the PPE headers. The FI long tube headers (LTHs) are not equal length and don't flow well. I initially had the Z1 shorties on my car, switched to FI LTH, and noticed a power loss. After switching to the PPEs, I regained the lost power.

Recently, I dyno-tuned a 2016 370Z Nismo at my shop. It achieved 35x whp with just ART pipes, a full Motordyne exhaust, and E85 tuning. The car had stock intakes with K&N filters. In my opinion, there's no reason to pursue more NA power beyond this point.

I agree, I will just now have the test pipes with catback. Later, I will add the headers.

I prefer to keep the car NA because I am not a fan of Force induction at all.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
NAS

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Not to mention, labor for headers on this car is a PITA. whether you pay someone to do it or you do it yourself. I have the Motordyne Headers and my tech hates me for them lmao.

"I'm charging the next person way more for this"

Cost/effort of installing the headers is incredibly poor value. Achieving meaningful gains past intake/exhaust requires not just headers but alot more work - E85, cams, supporting parts, and tuning.

Stop at the easy bolt ons and then decide whether you wanto REALLY commit to NA or turbo

and if your goal is learning how to drive on the track, the money is better spent on seat time (hell, better spent on a helmet)

I agree with you .. I heard the same.
Many thanks bro .. appreciated.

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I totally agree when it comes to track setup, for interior especially the seat. Which is in my list already.

Thanks bro, appreciated

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