I have read all the posts on this header, and it seems too good to be true.

The owners have said they not only get better acceleration overall, but to boot they are getting 3-5 more MPG.

Anyone else out there with this header that has not posted about it?
I would love a few more people to either back this claim or shut it down.

For the $$$ this header would pay for itself and the labor costs in less than 9 months just from the gas savings. Plus, if I went 100% freeway miles, I would get around 550 miles to the tank!!!

That is based on the fact people get 37 MPG from a stock Cobalt if driving all the miles on the freeway. Plus the header giving a supposed max extra 5 more MPG which is 42 MPG.

It seems to good to be true to have MPG close to what $30,000 hybrids are plus get another 10hp. I see claims of them putting out 15 more horses, but I don't believe it. It probably is more like 8 or 9 horses.

 

Oh yeah, when I mean Racing Solutions header, I mean the older shorty header.

They have a new long header and on their website they do not even offer the older shorty.

I like the shorty because it is much easier to install, matches the existing DP perfect, no fabrication or welding needed, costs less, will fit the heat shield with some massaging, and is the one people are boasting about.

 

I dont think the shorty would add that much hp and mpg, more believable with the Long header and DP combo.

 

Its not racing solutions header. They sell it from PPEengineering with a $25-60 mark up depending on what options you choose. Coblat 2.2l NA race header It's cheaper to buy from PPE, plus they offer more options for free.

 

So $500 with high flow cat, black high-temp Paint and SAI compatible (If you have SAI) from PPEengineering. Or you can pay $555 for high flow cat, no coating, and SAI (charge you $30 extra) from Racing Solutions.

 

This is from PPEengineering's site

10-13hp gains (9-12whp)
Equal length runners (less than .060" difference)
flex pipe with interlocking liner
fits cars with and without Secondary Air Injection
completely bolt on!
No CEL with cat

Chevy Cobalt 4-1 Long Style Header/Downpipe Combo (2.2L)

 

Stainless Steel Ecotec 2.0L/2.2L/2.4L Cobalt Header: eBay Motors (item 300456868513 end time Sep-16-10 15:28:52 PDT)

The one above is the one I have been eyeing.

The one below is what it seems to have copied, but the primary looks smaller.

DC SPORTS HEADER CERAMIC 05+ CHEVY COBALT SS 4-1 1PC: eBay Motors (item 280502858391 end time Oct-02-10 18:00:06 PDT)

Then there is the OBX that is already ceramic coated: OBX Header 05-07 Chevy Cobalt Saturn Ion 2.2L Manifold: eBay Motors (item 170405005631 end time Oct-05-10 13:27:25 PDT)

It is also a great price, but... it looks like I would have to spend more $$$ to get it to fit.

I hear endorsements to long tube headers and that having the DP is a must for best MPG and HP gains.

So the claims of the shorty header with a huge primary that actually is exact even to the stock DP is not the way to go?

My goal is to get the best lows and mids... I do realize 4:1 headers are not the best for that.
They are for mids and highs.

I have not seen a 4:2:1 header for the Cobalt 2.2 yet.

I do however have the 4:2:1 header for my wife's 2.2 Ecotec Sunfire.
I guess it is a clearance issue or the fact it is a PITA to install is why there are no 4:2:1 headers for the Cobalt 2.2?

Another thing is, I have not hit 75k miles to legally be able to swap my cat out. These DP setups really should be had once the cat is being swapped because why not get two birds with one stone?

Am I totally off or?



Thank you guys for the input.

 

The badmab header is a good header, I would mate that with a 2.5in downpipe to get maximum flow and still keep some low and mid. With any header and dp combo you are going to lose most of the low and mid and its all going to be pushed up top.

Im sure you could make a 4-2-1 but it would be expensive since no one has one for the cobalt. If you have one for the sunfire im sure it would need a lot of cutting and welding to get it it fit.

I would get a highflow cat and scrap the old one personally, it acts as a nice resonator making the car sound nice, is good for emissions, and most really are not that restrictive.