Downsides to headers?

[borahshadow]

I'm relatively ignorant about performance modifications. I know more than the average person but not nearly as much as many of you here. I know the headers are a great way to increase performance for what is almost a bolt on upgrade. I know a little about how they work but I don't know what disadvantages (if any) they have. If they didn't have any disadvantages why wouldn't they be put on at the factory?

Here's what I know

• They aren't dirt cheap but they're not extremely expensive. Usually about $200ish-$400ish right?
• They improve performance... Something about better flow and exhaust scavenging right?
• I've heard that they put more heat into the engine compartment.
• Long tubes are usually better right? Why?

 

[Problem2420]

Exhaust leaks, header bolts come loose sometimes, and maybe get lost. Lol, wires might touch headers and burn. Other then that I say there great. I got the headmans with a y pipe.

 

[FastOrange]

Donut or ball and socket headers rarely leak, check the header bolts everyonce and awhile, other tjen that they are great, my dad had a set of shoty flowtechs on jis 95 for over 10 years, no leaks and only ever replaced gaskets once, headers are still on that truck i bet.

 

[Sully]

plan on tightening header bolts with each oil change... LOL but yeah, these guys covered your answer

 

[1990GMCSIERRA]

i only gave 40 bux for my shorties,,not garunteed not to leak but u have to tighten them constantly ,,every oil change as sully said

 

[borahshadow]

Surely there has got to be some way to make the bolts stay tight... Some kind of a lock nut or something?

So basically assuming one's got a good set of headers the only real problem is the loose bolts?

 

[FastOrange]

Surely there has got to be some way to make the bolts stay tight... Some kind of a lock nut or something?

So basically assuming one's got a good set of headers the only real problem is the loose bolts?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PHP-20003/

only ones i have heard that work well.

 

[Sully]

its a bolt, the nut so to speak is the head.... the dont make lock heads LOL jk.

Its a time honored tradition among gear heads to tighten loose header bolts.

 

[DroppedAsAChild]

I have stage 8 header bolts and They have never come lose. My only issue is my collector bolts keep coming lose or coming out, but I figured out why. I need to get new collector flange gaskets, the stock ones suck. I will be replacing them this spring and I will have no more problems. Also I reccomend running copper gaskets as well. Yes they do cause more heat under the hood, Thats why I bought a cowl hood as well as for appearance. But Youll enjoy them.


Edit: Also DONT use the hardware they include.

 

[DroppedAsAChild]

Heres a link to the stage 8 bolts

http://www.summitracing.com/search/...roduct-Line/Stage-8-Locking-Header-Bolt-Kits/