Exhaust Headers, whats the deal
13 January 2005, 12:07 PM
#1
Exhaust Headers, whats the deal
OK, so after reseaching what to do, it seems that an aftermarket manifold, well lagged is the thing to do after sorting out a good system from the turbo.
However I have seen Megan Racing manifolds (1 peice with up pipe) on eBay for about £250, but all the UK manifolds seem to be £800+ (Are Megan just rubbish?)
I have also seen different diameters specified. With a narrower pipe I presume that the speed of flow is higher to the turbo, does this help torque more than ultimate power ?
While I presume higher diameter headers have less back pressure, better for top end performance ?
So which exhaust manifold gives the best results for road use ?
97MY with sports cat hi flow system.
Thanks
However I have seen Megan Racing manifolds (1 peice with up pipe) on eBay for about £250, but all the UK manifolds seem to be £800+ (Are Megan just rubbish?)
I have also seen different diameters specified. With a narrower pipe I presume that the speed of flow is higher to the turbo, does this help torque more than ultimate power ?
While I presume higher diameter headers have less back pressure, better for top end performance ?
So which exhaust manifold gives the best results for road use ?
97MY with sports cat hi flow system.
Thanks
13 January 2005, 02:09 PM
#2
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The Megan headers are not rubbish! One of the Cumbrian lads has just fitted some and they are awesome quality. I've not seen any better constructed headers, the welds are immaculate and the bends are mandrel formed so they flow continuously rather than "stepped". And best of all they actually fit unlike other types that are available!
13 January 2005, 02:32 PM
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Mark is right it was my car that had the megan manifolds fitted to excellent quality I tried gruppe s headers and had nothing but problems with leaks etc these fitted perfect and the advantage with them they come with a flexi uppipe you still have a bit of the flat four burbble but when your flat out its like a spitfire on roids the power band moves further up the range as well or it seems to have done its getting remapped with a few other bits added at the end of the month so hopefully I will get the most out of it then.
13 January 2005, 04:51 PM
#6
Yeah, there was one being bid for at £240 'Buy now' £250 a few days ago. (1 currently being bid at £90ish !)
I did some quick reseach and found some poor reviews about Megan products, but they were talking about Evo parts. Their main gripe was the welds were splitting. How long have you had the headers on for ?
Don't all have a go at once
I was looking for some feed back. Do the Megan (and other) heads fit under standard heat sheilding or is the suggested wrapping to take the heat sheilds place ?
If they are as good as you guys say, how come Power Engineering, Graham Goode etc all have £800+ items ?
Have seen another style from Japan. 4 pipes into 1 right in the middle beneath and in front of the engine, then curving round to the up pipe. This is different from all the others I've seen, anyone with any experience ?
I did some quick reseach and found some poor reviews about Megan products, but they were talking about Evo parts. Their main gripe was the welds were splitting. How long have you had the headers on for ?
Don't all have a go at once
I was looking for some feed back. Do the Megan (and other) heads fit under standard heat sheilding or is the suggested wrapping to take the heat sheilds place ?If they are as good as you guys say, how come Power Engineering, Graham Goode etc all have £800+ items ?
Have seen another style from Japan. 4 pipes into 1 right in the middle beneath and in front of the engine, then curving round to the up pipe. This is different from all the others I've seen, anyone with any experience ?
Last edited by ClintUK; 13 January 2005 at 04:53 PM.
13 January 2005, 09:50 PM
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Clint I have had them on for about a month now and cant report any problems yet, you do away with your heat shields and just use exhaust wrap.Tone loc yes they come with uppipe they are all one piece with a 3inch section which is flexi welded into the base of the uppipe.
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14 January 2005, 07:36 PM
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at that price it would be rude not to.
gruppeS v2 ARE better that the old V1 by all accounts..
no probs so far.
bttt for a useful bit of info!
gruppeS v2 ARE better that the old V1 by all accounts..
no probs so far.
bttt for a useful bit of info!
Last edited by chrome; 15 January 2005 at 05:39 PM.
15 January 2005, 11:34 AM
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banny - let us know how they fit , and what they feel like on the road.
interested to see where the power comes in - is it higher up the rev range ? or have you gained a decent amount of torque ?
must admit the quality looks good in the pictures .
interested to see where the power comes in - is it higher up the rev range ? or have you gained a decent amount of torque ?
must admit the quality looks good in the pictures .
15 January 2005, 03:45 PM
#13
once they are heat wrapped and the engine has had the vavles changed i will let you know how they perform.
Originally Posted by IPALMER
banny - let us know how they fit , and what they feel like on the road.
interested to see where the power comes in - is it higher up the rev range ? or have you gained a decent amount of torque ?
must admit the quality looks good in the pictures .
interested to see where the power comes in - is it higher up the rev range ? or have you gained a decent amount of torque ?
must admit the quality looks good in the pictures .
15 January 2005, 08:15 PM
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We know that metal expands when hot, which is why Subaru put flexible joins into both the cross, and up pipes. This is replicated in the after market products, with the use of either flexible, or slip joints.
IMHO, the use of solid cross pipes is a big mistake, and I know of other manufacturers who have had major issues. "Supersprint" for example, have just changed to a slip jointed cross pipe version, because of the problems.
The problems are predominantly the cracking/fracturing of the pipes around the head flanges. It's due to the stress of the pipes trying to expand, but with no where to go. Over time, the metal fatigues, and eventually fails.
I'm sure the welding looks great, and that they will improve performance, my concern, is for how long !
I suspect it will be a little like the "two bolt" flange issue, with some people having nightmares, and others getting away with it.
Mark.
IMHO, the use of solid cross pipes is a big mistake, and I know of other manufacturers who have had major issues. "Supersprint" for example, have just changed to a slip jointed cross pipe version, because of the problems.
The problems are predominantly the cracking/fracturing of the pipes around the head flanges. It's due to the stress of the pipes trying to expand, but with no where to go. Over time, the metal fatigues, and eventually fails.
I'm sure the welding looks great, and that they will improve performance, my concern, is for how long !
I suspect it will be a little like the "two bolt" flange issue, with some people having nightmares, and others getting away with it.
Mark.
16 January 2005, 12:05 AM
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Mark,
If you think my comments are commercially based, more fool you.
I gave an opinion, and qualified it.
If you choose to ignore basic physics, that's up to you. However, recommending other people do it, is irresponsible !
Mark.
Let me guess, Lateral Performance sells another make?
I gave an opinion, and qualified it.
If you choose to ignore basic physics, that's up to you. However, recommending other people do it, is irresponsible !
Mark.
16 January 2005, 10:20 AM
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The guy asked for opinions on the Megan headers. I gave him my views and then he went away and did some more research. How is that irresponsible????
16 January 2005, 12:35 PM
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Mark,
I'm sorry, but what are your views based on ? So the welding, and bends look great, and they fitted. I don't dispute this.
Ask yourself, "does metal expand when hot" ?
If the answer is yes, then ask yourself "Could this cause a potential problem, on this design of headers" ? If your answer is yes, then ask yourself if my comment was a sensible one to make !, and if your advice is "responsible".
Then you can ask yourself why you would feel the need to question my motives !!!
If you answer "no" to the questions, there's not a lot I can say............
Mark.
I'm sorry, but what are your views based on ? So the welding, and bends look great, and they fitted. I don't dispute this.
Ask yourself, "does metal expand when hot" ?
If the answer is yes, then ask yourself "Could this cause a potential problem, on this design of headers" ? If your answer is yes, then ask yourself if my comment was a sensible one to make !, and if your advice is "responsible".
Then you can ask yourself why you would feel the need to question my motives !!!
If you answer "no" to the questions, there's not a lot I can say............
Mark.
16 January 2005, 01:08 PM
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Aswell as the MEGAN headers on e-bay ther is also another set which has flexi joints on the n/side flange which allows for expansion plus they are 4-2-1 design which gives no loss of torque in the mid range and are equal length.
these ar also on a BUY-IT-NOW for 240 = p+p from japan.
cheers mark
these ar also on a BUY-IT-NOW for 240 = p+p from japan.
cheers mark
16 January 2005, 09:53 PM
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Banny as I said earlier I haven't had any problems yet it was just the issue that I had with the gruppe-s leaking and the cost of the megan headers against other makes if the welds crack I will just get them welded and then make up a slip joint on the cross pipes.
16 January 2005, 10:11 PM
#24
thanks with the amount i have paid for them, i can deal with the welds cracking and as you say get them welded and make up a slip joint on the cross pipes
Originally Posted by gussy
Banny as I said earlier I haven't had any problems yet it was just the issue that I had with the gruppe-s leaking and the cost of the megan headers against other makes if the welds crack I will just get them welded and then make up a slip joint on the cross pipes.
16 January 2005, 10:37 PM
#25
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Guys,
I made the post because I know the design is a potential problem.
I have suffered with pipes cracking, on a very similar design, and at Autosport, I was speaking to the guys from Supersprint, who said they have just modified their headers for the same reason. If you look at their web site, you'll see the old design, as well as the new. The old design is marked "whilst stocks last".
The Supersprint headers retail at circa £800.00 + vat, so I guess it's cheaper for them to sell the old ones, and if they fail, replace them under warranty with the new type!!!
No comment !
I'm just telling you my experiences, what you do with them is up to you.
Mark.
I made the post because I know the design is a potential problem.
I have suffered with pipes cracking, on a very similar design, and at Autosport, I was speaking to the guys from Supersprint, who said they have just modified their headers for the same reason. If you look at their web site, you'll see the old design, as well as the new. The old design is marked "whilst stocks last".
The Supersprint headers retail at circa £800.00 + vat, so I guess it's cheaper for them to sell the old ones, and if they fail, replace them under warranty with the new type!!!
No comment !
I'm just telling you my experiences, what you do with them is up to you.
Mark.
17 January 2005, 01:07 PM
#26
There's another header design in the states which sound similar to the Megan kit (someone email the link to me please). The US kit is only $204 buy it now!!! So even if it did crack it's a throw away price!
IMO the heat expansion could be taken up in the flexi up pipe joint from what I've seen in the picture.
F
IMO the heat expansion could be taken up in the flexi up pipe joint from what I've seen in the picture.
F
Last edited by Floyd; 17 January 2005 at 01:19 PM.
21 January 2005, 10:34 AM
#27
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I have one- quality is very good. Fitting is somewhat easy (onepiece - but it will go up there).
Flow is VERY good imo. I would agree with Floyd on the flexi joint. I will get back once I have tested it some more. The uppipe on this header is appx. ½-1 inch bigger in dia. than HKS !!
/Jesper
Flow is VERY good imo. I would agree with Floyd on the flexi joint. I will get back once I have tested it some more. The uppipe on this header is appx. ½-1 inch bigger in dia. than HKS !!
/Jesper
Last edited by jbagh; 21 January 2005 at 12:58 PM.
