I was looking around ebay for a header and I quickly noticed that I can get a header for around $70 as opposed to $200-$300 for a name brand. I know that most people would say that the $70 one is crap because of the obvious price difference unworthy brandname, but has anyone actually bought one of these things. Some of them really dont look too bad; welds look pretty good and the finish seems ok. I want to know if anyone has had one and I want an opinion on it. If I can pay $100 less for the same thing then I'll take it.


And while we're at it, tell which isbetter a 4-2-1 or a 4-1.

 

you get what you pay for, I believe this was covered before also.. both questions

 

Well depending on where you live, they might not be street legal. Here in Cali we need something called a CARB number on them. Those cost around 2-300. I had a pair of those nonbrand and they were great. I noticed smoother idling, great engine sound and they do give a little power too. So if in your state you don't need a certain number on them for smog purposes, id say get em. The 4-1 ones make your car loud as heck, and I would think you would have higher power from them...

 

OK, so if I wanted a quieter exhaust tone then my best bet is to go with a 4-2-1 correct?

 

the header isn't going to be the primary noise difference... it will be the size of the piping... how much restriction of flow is in the piping... and the muffler that will make a bigger difference than the header itself.

there is very little difference between the 4-2-1 and the 4-1. Idealy for a top speed application you'd want a 4-1, wheras a 4-2-1 is more of a midrange power maker. It is rare that you will notice/feel/hear a difference with a header unless you have extensive headwork

 

i beg to differ.....a little^
my buddy had a GSR like me and we both had same CAI, MUFFLER, SK2 IMO but he had DC 4-2-1 2pc. and I had DC4-1 1pc. We would be the same until 2nd and thats when i pulled. It was the driving skills of one another becuae this happened ALL THE TIME and we even swithced cars. I then read an article in import tuner discussing this with pics and dynos. 4-1 1 pc were the best. pain to put on, but better.

but im sure the gain is small

 

yeah... your a better driver than your friend definately. 1 piece will always be better than 2 piece... im not arguing with that. and magazines are paid to endorse one product over another...

the 4-1 has a very very slight advantage over the 4-2-1 in that the exhaust has no restrictions until the collector whereas the 4-2-1 has to go into 2 pipes, then there is the collector.