headers .. better gas?

[justnobody]

just wondering, people with headers did you gain any noticeable difference in power? sound? or mpg .. i was reading somewhere all bolt ons get you better gas mileage, just checking on it before I spend X amount on 'em ..

 

[dsmpokolm]

With a better set of headers that would give you better airflow so I dont know how that would give you a noticeable mpg?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Sure... I don't know how noticeable it'd be, but generally anything that affords better volumetric efficiency also provides for better fuel efficiency.

You have to look at it percentage-wise. While properly tuned track monsters with well over 100% VE might eat through a gallon of gas in five miles, it makes more power per unit of fuel than a stock four banger. If you exceed 100% VE (only possible with a turbo/supercharger or nitrous), then you'll notice a decrease in absolute fuel efficiency; but like I said, power per unit of fuel would still be really good if calculated.

 

[dr1665]

Unless you're going to turbo or supercharge your 420A in the near future, a header is a decent consideration in the design of a proper exhaust system. Don't spend more than $150 or so on one, though, or you're just wasting money.

 

[roadrunner2176]

A headed did nothing to better my mpg in the past, in fact in made it worse. Your making your hp higher in the power band requiring you to use more fuel to accelerate. Basically put, your loosing low end torque torque when your installing just headers and exhaust. Your engine will breath better, but only in the higher rpms. If you want better gas mileage, go with something else in my opinion.

 

[Defiant]

i was reading somewhere all bolt ons get you better gas mileage

Find that link and delete it.

Bolt-ons are for performance. That usually brings better efficiency. Trouble is, your right foot likes the better response, and keeps hammering the throttle pedal for it like a lab monkey getting doses of cocaine for pressing the red button. Our natural behavior tends to cancel out any gains in efficiency by taking advantage of more available horsepower.

Power comes from turning the energy in gasoline into heat. The better an engine can do that, the higher its output. The improvements come from getting a better air/fuel balance, getting more logs into a smaller fireplace, and hauling the ashes out as quickly and completely as possible.

And we all love to haul ash.