ok so ive read the million other header threads and ive bassically narrowed my choices down to 3 header/dp combos( unless anyone can convince me different)

cti
zzp
vibrant
but i have a few questions.

what are the differences in gains between shorty/midlength/longtube?? im talking tq and hp through the whole powerband.

also seeing as i have a 2.5 in magnaflow, what size collector should i look for??? what size primaries??? and finally what size dp?

im not sure whether to go 2.5 or 3 in on the collector and dp.

just basically tell me what the best choice for good low down tq, high end hp and overall gains throughout the powerband

thanks
kevin

 

if you have a bolt on cat back, then any bolt on head/dp SHOULD fit.

in answer to the other question... in GENERAL, the longer the primary tubes, the higher the RPM you'll need for maximum power, but you'll get the biggest gains.

long tubes on this car don't give enough room for a cat, so, i would go with the ZZP mid combo, but that's just me.

 

The shorty header will give you more torque down low, whereas a longtube setup will shift your powerband higher.

^^^The Vibrant is a longtube setup, and comes with its own dp and cat.

 

I second the zzp midlength header and downpipe combo. I got mine with the 1.75" primaries and 3 inch catless downpipe with bolt in for 2.5 inch exhaust. Now I have full 3 inch. I noticed a big gain going with the zzp

 

CTI shorty!

 

do long tubes really shift your power band?
whats the advantage of a shorty???

what do you guys think about collector and downpipe size to go with my 2.5 in magnaflow??

if i go zzp which imthinking of what size should i get for what gains/ advantages and disadvantages...as in what size primaries/ dp will result in....??
thanks

 

Since your car is supercharged go with the bigger primaries and the collector will be 3 inch. You can get the downpipe set up to bolt to your 2.5 inch exhaust.

 

Long tube will move your power band a bit.

For the value, Vibrant's header kit is the best in value. It is quality stainless steel, includes the header, downpipe, and high flow cat, which will connect to any aftermarket exhaust designed for the cobalt.

Piece together other kits and you will see exactly how good of a value Vibrant is.

 

any other opinions???
what about the SCdyne??

im not sure if i like the idea of a long tube like vibrant moving my power band
then again i dont know much about shortys either....

hmm could someone just hit me with some mad knowledge about shortys Vs. longs, collector size, dp size and primary size for our cars/my exhaust???

the truth is i really dont know jack about headers

so annnyyy help would be awesome.

thanks guys

 

part of the problem is that every car is a little different. personally, i'd only really want a long tube if i wanted the most power possible and didn't care as much about the lower RPM.

a shorty is nice in that it basically keeps the power where it is, but gives you a little more of it.

a mid tube is in between.

as far as primary size, if you have a SC, or a 2.4 you like to open up, go with the 1.75 inch.

a 2.2 or a 2.4 that's not going to be wound out much, use a 1.5 inch.

the idea is that the small primary allows the tube to hit ideal flow pretty early in the engines range, so it's most efficient at like 3500-4000RPM. this is well and good, but it will become a bottleneck as the motor really opens up.

downpipe size... i'd use a 2.5, but that's only because i don't see the point of a 3.0 unless you're welding it to a full 3 inch cat back.

 

ok i think im going with the zzp combo with 1.75 primaries, and the 2.5 inch dp..
either that or the cti, or is that a long tube?? im sure there are plenty of comparison threads, and ill search, but what are the main differences??

one thing im wondering is which combo (cti or zzp) will hold up better in Michigan with salt and such? because i think the zzp is mild steel and im not sure on the cti. is zzp's ceramic coating worth the extra $120?


thanks everyone for filling me in, it really helps a ton and i think im narrowing my choices down.

 

anyone???

 

I got the ceramic coating on mine and it seems to holding up just fine. I would recommend getting the stainless downpipe also

 

ok this is it
CTI oor ZZP and why?
which will hold up longer in MI?

which has more gains?
thanks

 

Did you look into the Weapon R header? Another quality piece.

 

I believe CTI is stainless steel, weapon-r is stainless steel as well. I think zzp can be ceramic coated, i'm not sure how long that will last.

 

I say go with the zzp because it has a 3 inch collector,1.75 inch primaries, its a midlength. The setup I went with is the 1.75 inch primaries ceramic coated header with a stainless steel 3 inch catless downpipe that bolted to the 2.5 inch exhaust. I am not sure on how much power it gave me but after installing this I could be rolling in second and hit the gas and start spinning my tires. As for how it will hold up I dont think you will have a problem as long as you get the ceramic coating and stainless downpipe. I say zzp you wont be dissapointed.