2.0 SS/SC JBP Vortex Header / Manifold Install
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Joined: 10-27-08
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From: ohio
amazing sound but i just dont think it looks even.. i wish i could measure the pices out and make sure they where even( with out cutting that expensive header up lol)... the sound is like a boxer motor( uneven lenghts in primary's) but maby i am rong and its just how it reacts to all the bends and curves makein the 1of a kind sound of a jbp header
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Joined: 10-06-05
Posts: 10,944
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From: Seneca, South Carolina
wow, that sounds unbelievably awesome. So deep, beautiful tone.
I don't think it sounds like a boxer. Boxer's are a lot more choppy.
amazing sound but i just dont think it looks even.. i wish i could measure the pices out and make sure they where even( with out cutting that expensive header up lol)... the sound is like a boxer motor( uneven lenghts in primary's) but maby i am rong and its just how it reacts to all the bends and curves makein the 1of a kind sound of a jbp header
Last edited by ralliartist; Apr 5, 2009 at 09:06 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I was also taking a good look at the header before I installed it, and it doesn't seem like the primaries are all the exact same length. But I was just eyeballing it.
It "kinda" sounds like a boxer, but I do agree that the H-4 engine is a little more staggered. Once you rev the JBP up to like 4,000 it almost sounds the same as a regular manifold...
It "kinda" sounds like a boxer, but I do agree that the H-4 engine is a little more staggered. Once you rev the JBP up to like 4,000 it almost sounds the same as a regular manifold...
amazing sound but i just dont think it looks even.. i wish i could measure the pices out and make sure they where even( with out cutting that expensive header up lol)... the sound is like a boxer motor( uneven lenghts in primary's) but maby i am rong and its just how it reacts to all the bends and curves makein the 1of a kind sound of a jbp header
They advertised that it was, 17 3/4" primaries I believe was the given measurement, but people don't realize that a lope in the exhaust doesn't happen with equal length primaries and a real collector. This header is a piece of ****. I wanted one when it was first brought out, it wasn't until I actually had my hands on one of the GB ones that I saw what a pile of crap it actually is.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-06-05
Posts: 10,944
Likes: 2
From: Seneca, South Carolina
They advertised that it was, 17 3/4" primaries I believe was the given measurement, but people don't realize that a lope in the exhaust doesn't happen with equal length primaries and a real collector. This header is a piece of ****. I wanted one when it was first brought out, it wasn't until I actually had my hands on one of the GB ones that I saw what a pile of crap it actually is.
Poorly constructed, mediocre at best welding, not smooth, poor firing pattern. Just not great, certainly not for the money they charge. CIA header/dp combo is cheaper and 500% better quality.
Last edited by ItalianJoe1; Apr 6, 2009 at 01:18 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: 05-18-08
Posts: 2,495
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From: louisville k.y
Alright so all the pieces are ready to be put in their place. This weekend this bitch will be going on! I cant wait! Here are some pics as a teaser. I will upload install pics as we progress 
I will be getting another tune/dyno once the header is installed and cant wait to see the numbers!
I have not had any problems with my GMPP manifold at all. But this JBP piece just makes it look like trash!
Enjoy!
So the install wasn't that hard, just time consuming. We did everything in my garage on jack stands with hand tools! (that ones for you Joel. hehehe).
Like it was posted in the Group Buy thread, you have to take off the rear transmission mount and unbolt the steering rack to give you enough clearance to fit the header up from underneath. Once we did that, it was fine. Some of the bolts are hard to get to, but oh well. Deal with it. You may also have to move the AC pipe an inch or two away from the primary, and I pulled a little bit of the firewall insulation back just in case. Fist try, and no exhaust leaks! Woot!
It feels like the car has more low end, and seems to deliver the power smoothly throughout the rpm range. Hopefully we'll get to dyno this sucka soon!
After the install
And some vids! Also, I have the stock downpipe on, so it is not quite as raspy/gurgle-ish as the videos on youtube. But still sounds nice!
I will be getting another tune/dyno once the header is installed and cant wait to see the numbers!
I have not had any problems with my GMPP manifold at all. But this JBP piece just makes it look like trash!
Enjoy!
So the install wasn't that hard, just time consuming. We did everything in my garage on jack stands with hand tools! (that ones for you Joel. hehehe).
Like it was posted in the Group Buy thread, you have to take off the rear transmission mount and unbolt the steering rack to give you enough clearance to fit the header up from underneath. Once we did that, it was fine. Some of the bolts are hard to get to, but oh well. Deal with it. You may also have to move the AC pipe an inch or two away from the primary, and I pulled a little bit of the firewall insulation back just in case. Fist try, and no exhaust leaks! Woot!
It feels like the car has more low end, and seems to deliver the power smoothly throughout the rpm range. Hopefully we'll get to dyno this sucka soon!
After the install
And some vids! Also, I have the stock downpipe on, so it is not quite as raspy/gurgle-ish as the videos on youtube. But still sounds nice!
Last edited by scott allen; Apr 6, 2009 at 02:22 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: 08-03-07
Posts: 653
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From: SANDIEGO.........
look bro u need to wrap the header or your going to regret it believe me ive had the header for 8 months now and ive ran into a grip of problems.......just take my advice WRAP THE HEADER asap
No, I never ran one on my car and haven't seen in person a before-after dyno, so I can't say. Most people report a "strong low end gain", which is what you get from a smallish header or a long-tube usually, but the gain up top (where you want the power when driving 100%) is not there.
Poorly constructed, mediocre at best welding, not smooth, poor firing pattern. Just not great, certainly not for the money they charge. CIA header/dp combo is cheaper and 500% better quality.
Poorly constructed, mediocre at best welding, not smooth, poor firing pattern. Just not great, certainly not for the money they charge. CIA header/dp combo is cheaper and 500% better quality.
Also, I thought the welds and craftmanship were pretty darn nice. Thats why i took so many pics.
Everyone will have their own favorites, and thats fine. But like I said, for what I wanted, this header is great.
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Joined: 05-27-07
Posts: 563
Likes: 1
From: Puerto Rico
i got it install now and have been in the car for some month, and i love it but the only thing that i recomend you it is to cover your cables on top of the header since they will get burn soon
puttin that at a side i love it :P
puttin that at a side i love it :P
I understand where you're coming from about the gain up top, but I doubt I will bring this car to a track more than once a year. I drive it to work and like to cruise around on nice days. I'm usually not driving at 100% for extended periods of time, so I dont mind that fact that my peak may have shifted. For what I want, this header did the trick.
Also, I thought the welds and craftmanship were pretty darn nice. Thats why i took so many pics.
Everyone will have their own favorites, and thats fine. But like I said, for what I wanted, this header is great.
Also, I thought the welds and craftmanship were pretty darn nice. Thats why i took so many pics.
Everyone will have their own favorites, and thats fine. But like I said, for what I wanted, this header is great.
the welds on yours looked pretty nice IMO as well.. the collector outlet didn't look really smooth but could be the pics
Senior Member
Joined: 10-06-05
Posts: 10,944
Likes: 2
From: Seneca, South Carolina
holy triple post batman!!!! Someone's internet had a brain fart!
I emailed JBP and they are going to send me a dyno graph to my email. I'll be sure to post it up.
FYI, he says that it is equal length. But I'm not so sure. We'll just have to wait and see I guess. If anyone that has the header can try to measure the tubes without destroying their header, that's be great.
I emailed JBP and they are going to send me a dyno graph to my email. I'll be sure to post it up.
FYI, he says that it is equal length. But I'm not so sure. We'll just have to wait and see I guess. If anyone that has the header can try to measure the tubes without destroying their header, that's be great.
Last edited by ralliartist; Apr 6, 2009 at 12:30 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I understand where you're coming from about the gain up top, but I doubt I will bring this car to a track more than once a year. I drive it to work and like to cruise around on nice days. I'm usually not driving at 100% for extended periods of time, so I dont mind that fact that my peak may have shifted. For what I want, this header did the trick.
Also, I thought the welds and craftmanship were pretty darn nice. Thats why i took so many pics.
Everyone will have their own favorites, and thats fine. But like I said, for what I wanted, this header is great.
Also, I thought the welds and craftmanship were pretty darn nice. Thats why i took so many pics.
Everyone will have their own favorites, and thats fine. But like I said, for what I wanted, this header is great.
You are absoultly right about power under the curve, for me the curve that matters is 5000-7500rpms. That is where I want gains, and the CIA combo gave it to me. My car was an animal up top, pulled away from any other Cobalt I ran once I got up into the real powerband. It wasn't about a high peak number, it was about power that I can use, power that makes a differnece.
Quality wise, I know the GB headers they made were done by 3 different people, it's possible that only 1/3rd of them looked as shitty as the one I saw, but allowing that at all is not acceptable in my line of work, if you are letting someone make something for you, it represents your image, and you need to make sure it's being done right or find someone else who can do it right.
