both entering and exiting points look the same in size as the stock one..........i had both the gm cat-back and manifold put on at the same time...my exhaust note isnt that loud either..........was the manifold a waste of $300?

 

No. The ports will look the same. That is normal. Especially the ones that attach to the head, that have to be. It will help.

 

the dealership quotes that it is extrude and honded........can you put that in dumby terms?

 

Sure. Extruded means shaping metal by forcing it through a shape to create a desired result. It's slightly mis-used in this instance, since the manifold is in fact cast. To hone something means to sharpen it. In the case of a manifold, it means the metal has been polished and shaped into a clean passage for the air to travel smoothly along.

 

i dont think the gm header is that good just cuz its 300 bucks and its still kinda small. im very happy with the ca header it was just a bear to put on today. but looks great.

ryan. and it was only 220 with shipping and tax

 

Quite right, and to shape and polish the inside of the manifold they "extrude" a thick, gritty liquid through the exhaust under high pressure. This gritty paste "hone's" the inside to a shiny surface all the way through the passage. Keep it up and it begins to expand the size of the passage. I guess if you did it enough it would eventually come through the side of the part.

This is also used in intake and exhaust ports on heads, to port them. However, there's controversy as to whether a mirror-polished surface flows more than one that's matte finish. Some studies show that a slightly "soft" looking finish actually flows better. In any case, it still opens up the ports and passages, so is a standard procedure for many race shops.

 

The GM header may NOT be the best one on the market BUT it will not void your warrenty and THAT makes it wrth more then the CA header! I'd much rather loose 2 to 5 HP then my cars warrenty!

 

It's also the only thing you can get away with in stock SCCA - unless you take it off, you can't tell it's modified. I believe this is why they made it.