Anyone Else Hate the Factory Exhaust Manifolds?

[turbonatr]

I'm fed up with the factory manifolds. They are god-aweful ugly and always seem to develop a new crack just when you thought you found and welded the last one up. I just can't take it anymore! Years ago, when I went to Hooker headers in my GN, I really didn't notice any added lag, etc. that is associated with aftermarket headers in a 11 flat or slower car (the GN at the time ran around 11.50 I think). The only thing I do remember is not welding up cracks every few months!! The GN runs well in the 10s now and the Hookers still look and perform as new. I have been seriously thinking about a set of Hookers for the T, even though it's "only" an 11 second car in race trim (low 12s in full street trim). Besides, later on down the road if/when I do go with some serious mods with the T, I won't have to worry about a header swap.

Now, granted, i'm sure there are a bunch of you who don't have a problem with your factory manifolds and you're lucky. I'm just tired of hunting down manifold-related exhaust leaks in the T. Heck, if I do pick up a bit of lag I'll never notice it since the cracks in the stock manifolds are doing that for me anyway!

Your thoughts?

 

[mgmshar]

...I'd be interested in hearing about this as well. I was thinking about going to aftermarket (Poston?) headers once my stock headers crack (not if, but when). I've heard rumors that the aftermarket headers increase lag. Anybody with a combo like mine (TA-49, stock block, CAS V2, ATR 2.5") tried aftermarket headers?

TIA,

 

[terryk]

I just took my ATR' system off and reinstalled the stock system to get the car aligned and I still have the stock system on there.

The ATR's came on the car when I bought it. They had cracked and I had them rewelded. I ran them for about a year and no additional cracks developed.

After running the stock system for a month or so, it does spool faster and it's much quieter. I don't think I lost any performance but only a back to back track run would tell.

I'm going to leave the stock system on.

 

[turbonatr]

A good friend of mine with a 12,000 original mile mint GN has Hooker headers. This car has minimal mods. The typical hard MAF pipe/K&N, AFPR, THDP, Bosch inline pump, and an ESP front mount cooling boost from a stock turbo. I never remember him telling me about any added lag with the Hookers. The car has gone 11.90s at 111mph on slicks. If there is any added lag, I really don't think it will be much of an issue. Swapping cracked, ugly manifolds for a hint of lag is well worth it in my book. The Hookers on my GN are leak-free (over 3-4 years now) and look good doing it.

 

[turbonatr]

I have heard reports about cracks in the ATR headers, too. With the Hookers, you have the headers, crossover (which doesn't look like the typical crossover) and then the up-pipe to the turbo. This offers many more "joints" for the system to move under chassis flex, etc., and also provides more room for adjustment/movement during assembly. This is what I attribute the lack of cracking with the Hooker header system to. IMHO, I think the Hooker headers are an overall better design to the ATRs.

 

[Ormand]

Stock..

My car had a cracked header when I got it. Got a "stock" replacement from Jack Cotton, and it's held up for four years now, so far. My main complaint is the ^&&(&(&(&&^%$$## heat shields! They make it hard to change the plugs, and are a general PITA. I thought about cutting them off, and using those heat sleeves instead. Anybody know why this is a bad idea?

 

[turbonatr]

Ahh, yes, those lovely heat shields. Hooker headers have no such animal. I never fried any plug wires, either.

I'm really talking myself into a set of Hookers for the T, arent I.

 

[CraigT]

I have used the "Poston" driver side header with very good results. I got it when Kirbans was selling them. My passenger side header is still stock but I welded around all the flanges while it was off some years ago. No problems that I can tell, at least while it was running. I have used and reused the same blue felpro header gaskets too.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

So the Hookers are still available then? Was always wondering why the supposedly hurt performance over the stockers.

 

[turbodave231]

Send me all those bad, nasty, ugly cracked stock exhaust manifolds. They seem to run just fine after I stop drill the cracks and weld em up.

Dave

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by turbodave231
Send me all those bad, nasty, ugly cracked stock exhaust manifolds. They seem to run just fine after I stop drill the cracks and weld em up.

Dave

"Stop drill"? What's that?

 

[GNVAIR]

Problem with the factory and ATR headers are that they are made of 409 stainless. While it is more durable than, mild steel. It can not take the 1600+ exhaust temperatures very well. They are not very tolerant of any mixture that results in high EGT's.
A better material would be 304, 316 or 321.........even though all 3 are substantially more money.
The Hookers are made of mild steel and unfortunately if you drive your car a lot and store it outside, you will eventually run into the problem of having the tubes degrade to the point where they will collapse. High EGT's and mild steel do not mix.
I am not familiar with what the Poston's are made of, but I have heard of some people cracking them as well.
Best bet is to find someone to make a set of headers out of 304 or better materials.
As far as gussetting goes, I have seen headers crack right around the gussets, so it is not a cure all for the dreaded 3-5 cylinder cracks.

 

[Chris McDade]

I had hookers on my car for years. They weren't to bad. A little lag , but on a 10 second car with a good converter you shouldn't have any problems. The leaks on the hookers are terrible. If you can change the flanges on the hookers like the one that are on the ATR's that should take care of the leaks.

Now, on the stock headers they are prone to crack as we all know. I had a guy at my office weld up my header with ( I believe it's been a while) 301 rod weld and it's held up for two years. I also had the outside of the flanges welded up and ported. I had my machine shop resurface the flanges and I have no leaks what so ever.

I also took off all the heat shields. Haven't run them for two years. No problems.

Just my 02 worth.

Later

 

[blueracer1969]

Header reply

I talked to someone at SE Turbo today and he said they have aftermarket headers that are the same size as stock for around $800. He said they will not cause any lag.

 

[salvageV6]

Ummm Keith whatshisname can make them out of 304....

Anyway I just found out my #1 tube on my Postons headers is cracked after 3 1/2 years use.

I think the loose driver side motor mount may have had a lot to do with that also.