Headers help!

[f2x phantom]

k so i dont want to spend that much money on headers for my ka24de. I definitely want 4-2-1 headers. I dont care about name brand or anything like that. ideally i dont wana spend more than 200 (really under 100 would be nice. Ive been thinking to get obx headers, but i've found no-name headers that look exactly the same for like 60 bux. I know its all just metal, so im wondering if i should just go with the off brand cuz metal is metal. SHould be the same thing right?

Suggestions/help??

[NorCalEvo]

well i say check the dimensions first off. Some of these no name brand parts have different diameters than the name brand stuff. And second you just gotta really be careful with the quality of parts. Thats the big one. Typically the no name stuff has a tendancy to fail early. But if you only need it for a temp fix or what not until you get a quality header, then i say go for it. But if its within the budget then i recommend getting a name brand header. You will benefit from it in the long run.

Hope this helps.

[SnakeKack]

Don't cheap out on a header. Trust me. If you can't afford a good name brand just tuck the money away until you can. It's more rewarding and less headaches and disappointment.

[seRu13]

for a KA header theres really nothing that can "fail" the only thing to be concerned about is fitment.

i bought a 4-1 Ebay header and it fit fine but the flanges are not perfectly straight, so i have leaks. and the design is a bit off. we all know KA's have square exhaust ports, well whoever makes these thinks they are round, so the probably doesn't flow as well as they should,

then theres the metal quality, it will only look good for maybe a couple months, after that it gets spotty and rusty looking, i just ended up ceramic coating mine.

In short, don't be cheap! if you can't afford headers just polish your heat shield.

[Hashiriya415]

Just metal will not make more hp but less then factory if that is what you want then go ahead and buy it. Exhaust manifolds/headers are secretly tuned by different manufactures to provide the best HP/torque one manufacture can make. But if you truly want the best then it needs to be custom made and matched to every other spec you have on your engine.
Do some reading
Header - Exhaust Manifold - Tech - Jack Burns - Popular Hot Rodding (http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0310phr_jack_burns_exhaust_manifold_header_tech/index.html)

[dreamin240sx]

i got knock off headers and they do the job for me i mean y spend the money for something you will probably get rid of later. unless you dont want to go turbo

[cdlong]

OP, you sound and think like a ricer, go ahead and get the ebay header.

Never mind that reliability and power are both improved with a part with better build quality and design. You'll buy three ebay headers before a quality one gives you problems, if not more. In the mean time, a better part will give you more horse power, probably sound better, and you'll same the time and aggravation of shipping and replacing headers.

In case you didn't gather this from the rest of my post, I think "metal is metal" is a stupid statement and entirely untrue.

[Okinawandrifter87]

^
I agree with you cdlong.

With metal just being metal. Just eliminate it and run open headers. F*** exhaust.

[240sx123$]

^lol.

Ive done the whole knock off game before, its not worth it. I had an OBX header on my honda that fit like shit, and when i finally modified it to fit properly, it made the same or less power than my stock exhaust manifold. I switched to a real header, and whala! Power! Ive also bought the no name KA header before. It was actually a better peice than that crap I bought from OBX. But still.. not a great part.

The lowest Id go on the "name brand scale" is Pacesetter. Thats about the cheapest you can get without it being a complete pile of dog shit.

[cdlong]

I feel the need to explain why "metal is metal" is not true. That's like saying a Miata and S2000 are the same car. They're both 4 cylinder-RWD verts, must be the same, right? Most headers are probably mild steel, so the pieces are pretty much the same, it's how you put them together that matters, and it's the only way to really save any money in the manufacturing process. Are the flanges machined flat and square? Are the welds done properly and strong enough to stand up to extreme heat and shaking? Is the coating thick enough and the right process to withstand high temps? Was enough care taken in the construction to ensure the part will fit properly? Did they bother to cut the right shape in the port or did they drill a round hole because it's cheaper? What about design? Runner size, length, merges all play a part in how much power is gained. Did the maunfacturer actually test the design or did they just eyeball another part and start selling units?

That ebay header is going to give you a lot of "no"s. But go ahead and buy it, just don't be shocked when people shake their heads and sigh when you drive by.

[f2x phantom]

aight thanks guys. definitely guna wait til i can get sum real headers.

[240sx123$]

Tip: You look like a noob when you say headers. A four cylinder has one header. ;)

[nismoracingsx]

bam..

Headers (http://www.240sx.org/faq/articles/headers.htm)

Nissan 240SX Header Install (http://importnut.net/240header.htm)

Bug Ken for a discount on this one, he'll normally help out the forum lurkers
Megan Racing 4-1 Style Header Combo kit 91-98 240sx [ MR-SSH-S14KA Kit ] - Enjuku Racing - Performance Parts and High Quality Fabrication (http://www.enjukuracing.com/megan-racing-style-header-combo-9198-240sx-p-7043.html)

or

Import Image Racing: DC Sport Ceramic Headers for 91-94 Nissan 240sx (http://www.importimageracing.com/p/DC-Sport-Ceramic-Headers-91-94-Nissan-240sx.html)

Find/email Billy, he sells on here. I know he offers a sweet discount if he can.