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Longhorn Man · 07-06-2010, 02:30 PM

People install headers and expect a huge gain. The fact of the matter is, even the best headers will do little to nothing at most 'driver' RPMs. Exhaust flow doesn't help much at lower (under 3000-ish) RPMs.
Headers will always be hot, you should expect that. They are thin tubes with fire in them. Manifolds are thick and retain heat. With that added header heat, one should expect burned plug wires unless you take action and secure them where they wont touch the pipes. (they'll burn on manifolds too for the record)
Also, the lower cost headers are more prone to leaking. I've run $99 craptastic ones and they leaked like mad. A little grinding and quality gaskets, and you'll have leak free cheap headers.
The higher cost ones are way less likely to leak with thicker flanges and higher quality craftsmanship. They are also less likely to get in the way of the plugs and everything else under the hood.
Headers is one of the pieces where you get what you pay for.
But for 99% of the trucks on the road, and for 99% of the people owning them, Ramhorn manifolds are the way to go.

07-06-2010, 02:30 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Rams horn exhaust manifolds People install headers and expect a huge gain. The fact of the matter is, even the best headers will do little to nothing at most 'driver' RPMs. Exhaust flow doesn't help much at lower (under 3000-ish) RPMs. Headers will always be hot, you should expect that. They are thin tubes with fire in them. Manifolds are thick and retain heat. With that added header heat, one should expect burned plug wires unless you take action and secure them where they wont touch the pipes. (they'll burn on manifolds too for the record) Also, the lower cost headers are more prone to leaking. I've run $99 craptastic ones and they leaked like mad. A little grinding and quality gaskets, and you'll have leak free cheap headers. The higher cost ones are way less likely to leak with thicker flanges and higher quality craftsmanship. They are also less likely to get in the way of the plugs and everything else under the hood. Headers is one of the pieces where you get what you pay for. But for 99% of the trucks on the road, and for 99% of the people owning them, Ramhorn manifolds are the way to go.