Header designs

[LaSS2Camaro]

I like looking at how the different header manufacturers design. I have not seen a good comparison of actual performance measurement differences. Here are some of my observations.

ARH looks to be equal tube with a lot of bends and lands each tube from front to back in the same location on the collector on both sides.

Kooks look to be equal tube with bends to land each tube from front to back in a different position on both sides. I think this is very interesting.

Others use a straighter tube design not appearing to be equal length and minimize bends usually landing in the same position from front to back on the collectors on both sides.

What are your thoughts of these differences?

[The Stig]

The bending of the tube alters the sound wave through the header. Basically the sound is bouncing off of the inside wall of the header at different angles, causing different frequencies to cancel out or get amplified. Then the pattern in which the tubes collect also uses this aspect. Though at the same time I am sure Kooks and ARH used aerodynamics and air flow to determine which design would allow air to travel the fastest through the header. Basically you are bottle necking all 4 of the individual headers into one big header. So the air fights for a spot, the best design yields the least amount of fighting.

[BubbaSS]

Originally Posted by stieger

The bending of the tube alters the sound wave through the header. Basically the sound is bouncing off of the inside wall of the header at different angles, causing different frequencies to cancel out or get amplified. Then the pattern in which the tubes collect also uses this aspect. Though at the same time I am sure Kooks and ARH used aerodynamics and air flow to determine which design would allow air to travel the fastest through the header. Basically you are bottle necking all 4 of the individual headers into one big header. So the air fights for a spot, the best design yields the least amount of fighting.

So the Doug Thorley LT'S tri-y design does just that, right?

[14pilot]

What I understand about Four into One designs is that primary length is less important (still important, just less) than 1. Collector design and 2. The amount of bend restrictions, then primary length within reason of course. Four into One designs supposedly being best for drag racing. Although some 4-2-1 designs are now showing up in drag racing ?

Then there are Four-Two-One designs where equal primary length is the most important design consideration. Although a look a Doug Thorley Tri-y headers shows they use unequal length primaries? 4-2-1 designs being favored for street and road racing.

Why are most all C5 headers of the 4-1 design? IDK, but first guess is that they work well, simpler and less costly to build and much easier to package onto our Camaros.

IMHO, 4-2-1 headers would be the ultimate for our cars if the intended use is not drag racing only. The 4-2-1 could/would cost more and would be a PITA to package into the space available. Imagine 30" long 1st primary tubes, followed by another 30" of secondary tubes, followed by 18" of of tapered collector exit. That's 78" of tubing from the cylinder heads to the end of the collectors! The low end torque would be killer as would be the mid-range, with nothing lost at the top end. Good luck getting this to fit though. And those wanting to run cats, sure but they'd be located back by the center section - LOL!!!

[Inferno LSX]

just get the bassani headers. suppose to get you up to 470RWHP with an intake and tune. lol. there is people that claim this.

[ackeight]

Originally Posted by Inferno LS3

just get the bassani headers. suppose to get you up to 470RWHP with an intake and tune. lol. there is people that claim this.

Oh god not this discussion again.

[LaSS2Camaro]

Originally Posted by Inferno LS3

just get the bassani headers. suppose to get you up to 470RWHP with an intake and tune. lol. there is people that claim this.

Did not look like the design which I think is better. Not knocking them like some just looking for quality design.

[GEEo]

Originally Posted by Inferno LS3

just get the bassani headers. suppose to get you up to 470RWHP with an intake and tune. lol. there is people that claim this.

No Comment.

[Camarowguy]

No no no.....don't start! Lol

[Inferno LSX]

all right, never mind. that is the most interesting thread ever!!!!!!

[VictorySS]

Originally Posted by stieger

The bending of the tube alters the sound wave through the header. Basically the sound is bouncing off of the inside wall of the header at different angles, causing different frequencies to cancel out or get amplified. Then the pattern in which the tubes collect also uses this aspect. Though at the same time I am sure Kooks and ARH used aerodynamics and air flow to determine which design would allow air to travel the fastest through the header. Basically you are bottle necking all 4 of the individual headers into one big header. So the air fights for a spot, the best design yields the least amount of fighting.

Each cyl fires at a different time so there is no fighting to get into the collector lol Headers increase scavenging in essence creating a vacuum to pull the exhaust out. Remember an engine in nothing more than a glorified air pump.


Some headers utilize different collectors with a merge or other ways to create more scavenging