What headers work best?

[bonham123]

I have heard that cheap eBay headers work good because they can be modified to fit easily (cheaper softy metal) but is there a header that is just bolt on?
If not what seams to be the easiest to modify?
I will be running a 2.5 custom ss system after the headers because I have a bunch of extra tubes laying around.

[trackjunkie21]

ObdII manifolds.

[bonham123]

Are they plug an play?

[SkorcherX]

I would also state that you should go with either the Ebay Shorty headers, or a set of Racelands that are also short.

I got the long tube headers from Ebay... and those bastards are resting on my sway bar... It's super frustrating. (Pro-tip: Invest in new exhaust studs and nuts)

[jrdeamicis]

Use the OBD1 or OBD2 manifolds. They fit fine. Have an exhaust shop fit an E36 exhaust mid section to your down pipes OR have your stock M20 exhaust mated to it. However all the other headers have GARBAGE fitment with the stock subframe and sway bar setup.

[Jand3rson]

Use the OBD1 or OBD2 manifolds. They fit fine. Have an exhaust shop fit an E36 exhaust mid section to your down pipes OR have your stock M20 exhaust mated to it. However all the other headers have GARBAGE fitment with the stock subframe and sway bar setup.

My ebay headers clear my stock subframe and sway bars just fine. And they also fit just fine, they're just thin, cheap metal. I'm having them ceramic coated inside and out soon, which takes care of a lot of the issues of being such thin metal.

[trackjunkie21]

My ebay headers clear my stock subframe and sway bars just fine. And they also fit just fine, they're just thin, cheap metal. I'm having them ceramic coated inside and out soon, which takes care of a lot of the issues of being such thin metal.

Mine actually cleared fine at first but then I guess my mounts settled and it started vibrating, nothing 2 washers couldn't take care of. I'm getting rid of mine only because they were effectively ruined by the exhaust shop not knowing how to weld Stainless.

[giantkeeper]

I have a vote in for the S/M52 exhaust manifolds. They are clean, and light for a shorty type OEM setup.

I also vote for Raceland, good torque and no rasp. Need to drill out the flange holes to assist in fitment, as well as shim the motor and swaybars. Not hard considering we are in the f'n swap section of a car forum.

[N2MYE30]

I used the OBDI but was considering getting the ebay shortys.

[328ijunkie]

OBD2 best bang for buck all around

[hoveringuy]

OBD2 best bang for buck all around

Yep. I went from OBDII to the awesome S50b32 headers and only gained around 5hp at around 3000rpms. NO power gain at higher rpms!!

[kalib0y]

obd2 is best w/o messing with the subframe and sway bar

[nando]

unless you're going long tubes, stay with stock. shorties are a waste of money.

[e30rapidic]

unless you're going long tubes, stay with stock. shorties are a waste of money.

backing this comment up.......I know this for a fact.

If you're trying to be cheap, OBDII manifolds mated to you current exhaust. Far from ideal but cheapest.

I have long tube headers and custom exhaust. Had to put in a set of sway bar mount spacers to clear the oversize sway bar. Quite a PITA.

[FredK]

unless you're going long tubes, stay with stock. shorties are a waste of money.

inb4Buddy quotes dyno figures on his S52 swap with TMS shorties, which was 4 cars ago. :razz: