The exhaust header is a vital component of any motor car, truck or SUV. The intake pipe of the engine is used to feed the combustion chamber. There are different designs for this part of the vehicle.
Basics
The intake of the engine is also referred to as the exhaust header because it also has an impact on the exhaust performance of the engine. The intake manifold has a large surface area for air to flow through, making it capable of storing heat effectively.
The intake manifold allows air to pass through the engine and the cooling passages before it reaches the combustion chamber. The exhaust header helps to force the air into the combustion chamber through the exhaust ports.
The exhaust header is responsible for venting the combustion gases through the exhaust system. There are several types of headers available in the market. A turbo header has two exhaust ports in one. This type of header allows the exhaust gases to vent through the exhaust ports in different directions depending upon the requirements.
Types of Headers
Another header is known as a dual-feed header. The header has one port for each combustion chamber. It makes use of a muffler to reduce noise levels.
There are two types of headers available in the market, namely, the diaphragm and the mandrel. The diaphragm header has a large valve that is located at the front part of the header and it functions well with turbo engines.
The mandrel header is also known as the sloped header. It has a thin header section that is slanted at a 45-degree angle. This header is suitable for most vehicles like the Toyota, Honda, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota and so forth.
Benefits
There are many benefits of using a header. For instance, the headers keep the intake ports free from debris. This reduces the possibility of oil and water to accumulate in the ports. The header also prevents the formation of pressure ridges inside the ports, which result in reduced vibration and noise.
The header is also important for reducing backfire or burping. It eliminates the sound caused by the vibrations that come from the backfire or burping. This reduces vibrations and creates a smoother sound when running.
When compared to the catalytic converter headers, the header is more efficient and produces less pollution. There are some disadvantages associated with the header though. One of these is that the header requires extra fuel because it does not convert the exhaust gases to cleaner exhaust gas.
Disadvantages
Another disadvantage is that the header is more expensive than the catalytic converter and uses more fuel. The catalytic headers are more cost-effective than the header. If you want to have the best of both worlds, then you should opt for a header and catalytic converter. combination.
If you are not comfortable installing the header yourself, you can consult a mechanic who specializes in tuning the header. They can recommend a suitable header for your vehicle. A header tuning service provider can check out the engine and then provide you with advice on which header would be the best one for your vehicle.
Many tuning service providers offer headers at competitive prices. If you don’t have the time to look around, you can also order a header from a manufacturer. You can get a headset made specifically for the car engine you are using.
Most tuners will charge a reasonable fee for the installation. Some tuners may include the header for free but it is better to opt for a header that is installed by a professional. This ensures that the header installation is done properly.