I was wondering would i benifit putting on a aftermarket header and downpipe on my 2.2? i currently have a injen intake and dc sports catback system. any gains worth it? could i install this myself if i used ramps for my car or jacked it up?

 

Yes, you will feel the increase, seat-of-the-pants, from each mod. Quantitatively, it's anyones guess (I'm not going to play bench racer.) You need to put it on a dyno (or use a g-tech type device) to get a HP reading before and aft to tell.

But in principle, anytime you mod a car you end up with a "weak link" or a particular point or two that limits your hp more than other factors. Removing this limiting factor will add ponies. In your car, I suspect the biggest limiting factor now is your stock B-pipe w/cat. Replace it with a high flow cat model like the XTC and your greatest limiting component will be your exhaust manifold.

It's endless....

 

Oh, and yes, you could install the header and b-pipe yourself - that's what I plan on doing - if you have basic mechanical ability.

Did you install your cat-back, intake and projectors yourself? If so, you can probably do the job. Just be very careful under the car, even with jackstands.

 

definately get the downpipe and header... shouldn't be that hard of an install... header may be a little tough just because it's hard to reach behind the engine... don't use ramps, will make it hard to get the bolts in the engine... underneath the car is only 2 bolts, so it's not that much to manage under...

 

the estimate would be anywhere from 4-10 hp for header, and 4-10 hp for downpipe... that's why it's not worth it to guess the total gain... could be 7 or 8 hp for both, but could be 18 hp...

 

gains from the Pacesetter are about similar to the Injen intake from my personal experience.

 

check out the XTC downpipe and header to come out soon. site is cobalt addiction.com...greaat stuff right there.

 

Im thinking baout a downpipe too ZZP seems to be one of the betters to me IMO. The XTC one seems pretty nice too.

how does that pacesetter sound on your car?

 

at the shop we have had alot of problems w/ the ZZP header and downpipe. one of my buddies downpipe has a crack in it..and the header hit agaisnt the coolant line by the header....he will be gettin the XTC stuff.

 

i love it... it's not ricey at all... nice and deep... doesn't crackle or anything like that... i would def. recommend it

 

sweet thanks. i thin im going to be getting that and the pacesetter header :-) can't wait.

 

the pacesetter header bolts right onto the engine right? without hitting a coolant line or anything? lol cuz i wouldnt want to go through that.

 

Yeahhh I beleive that they are a direct bolt on relpacement.

 

i rather go w/ the pacesetter..ZZP ran into too many problems with that header..its a bad design.......

 

i've heard they will bolt right up to the engine but they are too long to bolt to the stock down pipe. so that will have to be modified ir replaced

 

Getting rid of restriction is always a good thing to do to a point. You always want to think about exhaust velocity. Companies like Pacesetter aren't going to make you an extremely huge header for your motor cause they understand this point. If you get a product from Pacesetter it will include the header, flex pipe and b-pipe. The B-pipe is what you're referring to as a downpipe.

The term downpipe is mainly referrenced to turbocharged applications that have diverted exhaust flow coming from the turbocharger which connects to a pipe that litterally goes straight down.

Just an FYI.

Yes you will see increases but don't expect something outrageously huge. Also expect an sound increase. By getting rid of the rest of the stock exhaust parts, you're making a much more consistant and constant flow rather than a stock system chocking up front then being unrestricted when it hits your catback.

Also, get an catalytic converter as well that matches the size of your exhaust system.

Correction: The Pacesetter headers don't come with flex pipes.

 

Yes. Most manufacturers take things like that into consideration but if for some reason the coolant hose is still a bit too close for comfort, that's why god made zip ties (been there, done that).

 

im a ss/sc owner and im just here looking for parts for my girlfriends car

my advice if you want the most power and not worrying too much about the money

go to www.customtubesinc.com and get the email to talk to willie

he makes the best header and downpipe for the ss/sc which can bring around 25 horses if not more

only thing this ran me 700 dollars

i dont think he makes one for the 2.2 but if you talk to him he might be able to work something out

when we order the ones for the scs he makes them as soon as he gets the order so he might be able to make one for you guys

 

ahhh ok well said. so i guess i don't need a downpipe then if i get the pacsetter header. You explain stuff so well haha. But hows your new car doing? i remember you from my days over on the .org

 

Your name looks kind of familiar to me as well lol

The car is great...life is changing. That's about it for me.

 

you'll still need one you just can't buy a bolt on one because the header extends farther than the OEM manifold. well technically you still can but the flange will be hacked off so you can weld up the Pacesetter extension piece.

At that point might as well just have it custom made as you will still have stock piping from the cat to the next flange where most catback systems end.

 

lol yeah my name is the same over there too. I hang out with 97cavy22 (Nick). Im pretty sure you know him he used to drive a yellow cavy. but now has a white one that just got in an accident :-(. haha but good to hear that the car is going well.

 

So i need to get a custom downpipe made? I think thats what your saying right? haha sorry its early im out of it. But sounds like from what your saying it will be easier to get it custom made.

 

Yeah I remember him. Tell him I said hi.

Good luck with your ride as well.

 

pretty much, unless you don't mind cutting your new downpipe.

I personally thought it was easier to pay $40 to have new piping welded in there.