4-2-1 or 4-1 headers/manifold?
#1
Guest
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4-2-1 or 4-1 headers/manifold?
Hi all,
Which headers should I get?
I know STRICTLY from reading:
4-2-1 gives better "balance" between low-end torque and high-end power.
4-1 yields higher power at the expense of some lost low-end torque.
I need your opinions to validate/refute the above assumptions.
I do have the Impreza Magazine that reviews various headers. Unfortunately I can't read Japanese. I've shortlisted Cusco if I were to go 4-2-1, Quest for 4-1 (mainly due to cost and availability).
Now, forgive me for saying this but I know among North American readers Cusco will definitely win the "popularity contest". Hence I'd appreciate it if opinions posted are NOT based just on reading (like what I MYSELF HAVE DONE in the above).
Basically I want the opinions of real-world users who have actually upgraded their headers, or tuners who have worked on them, or dyno attendees etc.
Thanks everyone!
Which headers should I get?
I know STRICTLY from reading:
4-2-1 gives better "balance" between low-end torque and high-end power.
4-1 yields higher power at the expense of some lost low-end torque.
I need your opinions to validate/refute the above assumptions.
I do have the Impreza Magazine that reviews various headers. Unfortunately I can't read Japanese. I've shortlisted Cusco if I were to go 4-2-1, Quest for 4-1 (mainly due to cost and availability).
Now, forgive me for saying this but I know among North American readers Cusco will definitely win the "popularity contest". Hence I'd appreciate it if opinions posted are NOT based just on reading (like what I MYSELF HAVE DONE in the above).
Basically I want the opinions of real-world users who have actually upgraded their headers, or tuners who have worked on them, or dyno attendees etc.
Thanks everyone!
Last edited by GDB; 11-30-2002 at 07:17 AM.
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Lake Forest, Calfornia
Posts: 673
Car Info: 2004+ Two Tone Green
remember that you can make up for things with tuning. if you need a little but of low end your tuning can do it. i went with the 4 to 1 design. i am look for 4-8k rpm power ban
#3
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I ordered a set of 4-2-1 headers from Ion performance in Canada, my logic being that this was the best balance as I did not want to loose booom end torque. They looked at my spec and advised that 4-1 were likely to be better suited to my application and in the end I went along with that.
All I can say is I am glad I took the advice. Lag was marginally more noticable but the car was far stronger from between 35 and 40 all the way to the red line at 8000rpm.
The headers and up-pipe came with ceramic coating inside and out.
Look here.www.tyneteesscoobies.com and click on owners cars.
So happy with result that I went on to buy one of their turbos.
All I can say is I am glad I took the advice. Lag was marginally more noticable but the car was far stronger from between 35 and 40 all the way to the red line at 8000rpm.
The headers and up-pipe came with ceramic coating inside and out.
Look here.www.tyneteesscoobies.com and click on owners cars.
So happy with result that I went on to buy one of their turbos.
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for all the reply so far.
I should've mentioned my priority: to get rid as much as turbo lag in the below-3500RPM region. I'm think my car pulls just fine after 3.5-4.0k RPM, but before that it's rather lacking (as we all know).
As far as tuning is concerned, unfortunately there aren't any reputable tuners where I live; will have to hope for an ECUTEK remap but that's not likely to happen soon. (I mean, it IS available, but going to wait for more STi's to be remapped to sort out the bugs).
So I take it so far what I've assumed all along is true:
4-2-1 a balanced design
4-1 loses bottom end compared to STOCK <- is this right?
BTW what is Maxim's header design?
I should've mentioned my priority: to get rid as much as turbo lag in the below-3500RPM region. I'm think my car pulls just fine after 3.5-4.0k RPM, but before that it's rather lacking (as we all know).
As far as tuning is concerned, unfortunately there aren't any reputable tuners where I live; will have to hope for an ECUTEK remap but that's not likely to happen soon. (I mean, it IS available, but going to wait for more STi's to be remapped to sort out the bugs).
So I take it so far what I've assumed all along is true:
4-2-1 a balanced design
4-1 loses bottom end compared to STOCK <- is this right?
BTW what is Maxim's header design?
#6
it all depends on the design of the actual header. a well designed 4-1 may end up having more low end torque then a cheaper 4-2-1.
the maxim is a 4-1 design. i noticed a torque increase across the entire band compared to stock. but keep in mind the true potential of the maxim exhaust manifold won't be seen with a smaller turbo like the stock td04.
the maxim is a 4-1 design. i noticed a torque increase across the entire band compared to stock. but keep in mind the true potential of the maxim exhaust manifold won't be seen with a smaller turbo like the stock td04.
#7
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N I C E !!!
I tend to lean towards nqwan's observation now.
http://www.steve.ukmail.org/car/
The person above also installed a 4-1 header, and he too enjoyed good increase of torque across the range.
BTW he's the brainchild of ECUTEK.
I tend to lean towards nqwan's observation now.
http://www.steve.ukmail.org/car/
The person above also installed a 4-1 header, and he too enjoyed good increase of torque across the range.
BTW he's the brainchild of ECUTEK.
#8
i haven't heard of any headers that don't add a little lag if not more. are there any out there that don't? why not just swop out the uppipe and leave the stock header alone? i have heard of several people going back to stock after having an aftermarket header and being unhappy with the loss of low-end torque.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago and it's South West suburbs
Posts: 570
Car Info: full race 02 Prodrive widebody with 2.5 Cosworth
I think it depends on you needs. I rather have mor acceleration so i was looking at the 4-2-1's but I never bought a set. On a side note does anyone have a recomindation ona any spefic companys?
#10
Originally posted by 128d
I think it depends on you needs. I rather have mor acceleration so i was looking at the 4-2-1's but I never bought a set. On a side note does anyone have a recomindation ona any spefic companys?
I think it depends on you needs. I rather have mor acceleration so i was looking at the 4-2-1's but I never bought a set. On a side note does anyone have a recomindation ona any spefic companys?
#11
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I have the Invidia 4-2-1. The low end torge is increased a lot and power is improved over the mid end and high end as well. They claim a increase of torge of 50 lb/ft w/ their down pipe and exhaust. (the one is in the latest turbo mag. ex test by the name of skunk works, the one with the highest torgue) I do have their down pipe but HKS hiper exhaust, mayby it's the combo that gave the good low mid and high end??
Gary T
Gary T
#13
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Originally posted by Dick Fitzwell
i haven't heard of any headers that don't add a little lag if not more. are there any out there that don't? why not just swop out the uppipe and leave the stock header alone? i have heard of several people going back to stock after having an aftermarket header and being unhappy with the loss of low-end torque.
i haven't heard of any headers that don't add a little lag if not more. are there any out there that don't? why not just swop out the uppipe and leave the stock header alone? i have heard of several people going back to stock after having an aftermarket header and being unhappy with the loss of low-end torque.
I was always under the impression that low-end loss after header upgrade is in the MINORITY; most report better low-end (or perhaps more correctly, faster spool up).
My uppipe's already catless, thanks
Honestly, I think my car's quite noticably preppier than stock with zero cat in the system, but I still want to get rid as much as lag as possible.
#15
GDB - what else is done to your car tat you feel a eader will net you any gains? They are not for every setup which is why I am asking.....
As for design, unless you are running a minimum of a PE1820, you won't notice any difference whatsoever between a 4-2-1 and a 4-1.
Adam
Z-1 Performance
www.z1auto.com
As for design, unless you are running a minimum of a PE1820, you won't notice any difference whatsoever between a 4-2-1 and a 4-1.
Adam
Z-1 Performance
www.z1auto.com