3.5L ebay headers, first impressions
06-07-2005, 12:29 PM
#1
Isn't that a girl's name?
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3.5L ebay headers, first impressions
$240 + $30 S/H = $270
required for installation- oxyacetylene torch, impact gun, ratchet wrenches, welder, die grinder/dremel. remember you get what you pay for so this list might seem excessive to someone who installed cattmans on a low mileage 03 where it doesn't snow much. you're going to have to either a: find a bolt large enough to plug the egr (try a tractor supply store) or b: weld it shut. other than that, the install was seamless, everything lined up nicely. so much for all the hype around these bootleg headers not fitting correctly. the welds were messy, but the penetration was good- thats what matters.
the car has a real nice tone at idle, im running on a stock exhaust too, so its very subtle. the power is there, and i notice it most while running up to 60mph. the police are out in swarms the past few weeks, so i haven't had a chance to run it wide open. i've noticed that the lumps in the power curve on a stock setup aren't as noticeable, it feels as though this was just a skim coat to level things out. dyno later this week, hopefully.
for verification of past header install/review threads- you DO have to drop the crossmember and lower motor mounts to remove and replace.
required for installation- oxyacetylene torch, impact gun, ratchet wrenches, welder, die grinder/dremel. remember you get what you pay for so this list might seem excessive to someone who installed cattmans on a low mileage 03 where it doesn't snow much. you're going to have to either a: find a bolt large enough to plug the egr (try a tractor supply store) or b: weld it shut. other than that, the install was seamless, everything lined up nicely. so much for all the hype around these bootleg headers not fitting correctly. the welds were messy, but the penetration was good- thats what matters.
the car has a real nice tone at idle, im running on a stock exhaust too, so its very subtle. the power is there, and i notice it most while running up to 60mph. the police are out in swarms the past few weeks, so i haven't had a chance to run it wide open. i've noticed that the lumps in the power curve on a stock setup aren't as noticeable, it feels as though this was just a skim coat to level things out. dyno later this week, hopefully.
for verification of past header install/review threads- you DO have to drop the crossmember and lower motor mounts to remove and replace.
06-07-2005, 12:42 PM
#2
Glad to hear that they went on without much frustration. It sounds like you did the install yourself.... any write up or pictures? I lived in Glastonbury/Manchester/New Britian back in the late 80's early 90's and know there are some nice places on 84 to let her go.... have fun and be safe. Headers are on the wish list but still doing research. Thanks for the good input.
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06-07-2005, 04:05 PM
#13
Isn't that a girl's name?
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i am not expecting 20whp out of these, im not even looking for 15. they're not cattmans or hotshots or stillen, they are $240.
think about it this way. if you get 10-15whp out of a set of $550 headers, and i get 5-7whp out of my bootleg set- doesn't that seem fair?
now if this was a car i planned on racing- or a car that i felt was worthy of the intention of breaking records in its genre i would have bought a better set. i've got the money, i do own a 02 maxima after all. it's just my priorities aren't in making a four door, mid luxury vehicle into a speed machine.
i can hopefully put this thing on some rollers and get a gain. if not, lesson learned and yall can take advantage of my experiences. if i do and these even compare to what others spent, i hope yall are ready to eat those sofa cushions you're hiding behind
think about it this way. if you get 10-15whp out of a set of $550 headers, and i get 5-7whp out of my bootleg set- doesn't that seem fair?
now if this was a car i planned on racing- or a car that i felt was worthy of the intention of breaking records in its genre i would have bought a better set. i've got the money, i do own a 02 maxima after all. it's just my priorities aren't in making a four door, mid luxury vehicle into a speed machine.
i can hopefully put this thing on some rollers and get a gain. if not, lesson learned and yall can take advantage of my experiences. if i do and these even compare to what others spent, i hope yall are ready to eat those sofa cushions you're hiding behind
06-08-2005, 03:30 AM
#19
yea do u have a before and after dyno? if not, what mods do u have and does anyone have a stock 2k2 dyno we can compare with?
I agree if these produce close to the hp of cattmans at a quarter of the price, they are well worth it but i also see it as this is one of those mods u will never replace or exchange if done right, its not like speakers or a catback or an intake setup or a head unit. Install is already a b*tch, might as well do it right the first time, but i hope these give great gains so competition probably lowers their prices.
I agree if these produce close to the hp of cattmans at a quarter of the price, they are well worth it but i also see it as this is one of those mods u will never replace or exchange if done right, its not like speakers or a catback or an intake setup or a head unit. Install is already a b*tch, might as well do it right the first time, but i hope these give great gains so competition probably lowers their prices.
06-08-2005, 07:58 AM
#20
$1200 does seem like a lot for only 20 HP... but we all have our preferences.
Me? I'd rather save 3 times that much and go for a SC'er. 3 times the price for 6 or 7 times the HP? Definitely beneficial.
Me? I'd rather save 3 times that much and go for a SC'er. 3 times the price for 6 or 7 times the HP? Definitely beneficial.
06-08-2005, 04:01 PM
#23
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I may be completely off base here, but don't you remove the precats when you install headers? Doesn't the removal of the precats yield a HP gain? Does anyone know how much of a HP gain you get, if any, from removing the precats?
In your example, you said only 5-7 hp, instead of 10-15... does that mean you're really looking for 10-14, since it's more like 20-30?
In your example, you said only 5-7 hp, instead of 10-15... does that mean you're really looking for 10-14, since it's more like 20-30?
06-08-2005, 04:24 PM
#24
Isn't that a girl's name?
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dlove- yes, i was only comparing the cost of my headers to the cost of others and the relative gains per dollar amount. i am noticing the added power more and more. it is subtle, nothing to wet myself over. but i swear- the top of third gear comes on alot faster, and i can now chirp third again with my 19x8 dumb heavy chromies. you should see the curly q of precats and piping i replaced, there HAS to be some gain in a straight thru setup, even if the stockers are designed to have equal lenght runners.
e55- yes, i did create a bottleneck of sorts. i am undecided as to whether or not upgrading the rest of the exhaust is in the near future. if anything, maybe the end of the summer, early september.
epacy/mecca- no, i do not have a baseline dyno, but now i might not get the dyno done this week. i just upgraded my cell to some $250 piece. i haven't done alot of price checking, but the local place runs $100 for three runs with a/f- no tuning. i have an apexi safc2 sitting in my parts bin, maybe i will take the time to install that and do some tuning at the same time.
e55- yes, i did create a bottleneck of sorts. i am undecided as to whether or not upgrading the rest of the exhaust is in the near future. if anything, maybe the end of the summer, early september.
epacy/mecca- no, i do not have a baseline dyno, but now i might not get the dyno done this week. i just upgraded my cell to some $250 piece. i haven't done alot of price checking, but the local place runs $100 for three runs with a/f- no tuning. i have an apexi safc2 sitting in my parts bin, maybe i will take the time to install that and do some tuning at the same time.
06-22-2005, 10:09 AM
#26
I am with him on this one, if it really comes down to it, I would also buy the knock-offs for $250 any time over $800+ brand name ones... The gain may be less than brand names but HP vs. $ would do it for me... I am still puzzled how many people spend $1000+ for 20 HP (or $800 plus 8 hrs of sweat and tears)...
06-22-2005, 11:15 AM
#28
Originally Posted by Sammzway
I know everyone is talking about HP vs $. What about quality? I know cattman charges $800 for headers but those headers are also quality headers. How is the quality on the ebay headers?
06-22-2005, 11:17 AM
#29
Im guessing that these might gain like the stillen headers....IE 1hp, so each hp cost you $270. A set of Hotshots gains 33whp for $570....Cattmans make the same power (+/-) and cost $800. Hotshot wins in the $/hp. Quality nod goes to cattman. So the choice is yours, pay $270 for 1hp or pay $570/$800 for 33hp.
06-22-2005, 11:44 AM
#30
Hehe, I like your comment, but without any dyno results neither one of us is right :-) Also to mention, personally, I would not buy headers at all. Too much work and $$ for max 20 HP for my taste...
06-22-2005, 12:20 PM
#31
Originally Posted by igzy
Hehe, I like your comment, but without any dyno results neither one of us is right :-) Also to mention, personally, I would not buy headers at all. Too much work and $$ for max 20 HP for my taste...
... i don't know about you, but i'd jump on the deal quick.
06-22-2005, 07:06 PM
#33
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first, the numbers.
208 hp @ 6000 , 224 tq @ 4300. stock exhaust, ebay headers and ypipe, 6spd. dynapack 4022.
second, the problems.
a/f cruised at a steady 13.9 until 4200rpm, jumps to 15.3 and settles in at 15.0 until redline. anyone else get this kind of results? not defending any manufacturer's or concurring with any predictions- but note this is with a stock exhaust.
208 hp @ 6000 , 224 tq @ 4300. stock exhaust, ebay headers and ypipe, 6spd. dynapack 4022.
second, the problems.
a/f cruised at a steady 13.9 until 4200rpm, jumps to 15.3 and settles in at 15.0 until redline. anyone else get this kind of results? not defending any manufacturer's or concurring with any predictions- but note this is with a stock exhaust.
06-22-2005, 07:25 PM
#36
Isn't that a girl's name?
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someone had to. i am as disappointed as anyone actually interested in these results. but it's the same way whenever you're the first, hit or miss.
edit- i may not have a high post count- or reply in useless threads, or answer repetitive questions. but whenever i start a topic- it gets plenty of views- i must be doing something constructive.
edit- i may not have a high post count- or reply in useless threads, or answer repetitive questions. but whenever i start a topic- it gets plenty of views- i must be doing something constructive.
06-23-2005, 02:59 AM
#39
Isn't that a girl's name?
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'Comparing Dynapack readings to Dynojet readings is still a little questionable, since more driveline losses will be seen on the dynapack. On the other hand, those losses are really there, and the Dynapack reading is what is really reaching the ground. If we are trying to compare engines, this isn't the best method, but if you wanted to compare actual performance results- this is the way to go.'