Stepped Headers

[njk53]

I would like to get your guy's opinion on stepped headers. We are in the market for a new set of headers and was considering a set of Stahl's. The interesting statement that Stahl makes on their website is they feel that stepped headers are really not cost effective for any type of racing. They stated at best, you will gain 1% HP. That is the best case scenario. Stahl has been around a long time and I would tend to trust what thay say. I also would think they have a lot of dyno test data to back that statement up.
Anyone out there know any different?

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by njk53

I would like to get your guy's opinion on stepped headers. We are in the market for a new set of headers and was considering a set of Stahl's. The interesting statement that Stahl makes on their website is they feel that stepped headers are really not cost effective for any type of racing. They stated at best, you will gain 1% HP. That is the best case scenario. Stahl has been around a long time and I would tend to trust what thay say. I also would think they have a lot of dyno test data to back that statement up.
Anyone out there know any different?

There are two schools of thought regarding stepped and non-stepped headers. Stahl makes a great header, and they also make stepped headers. Nevertheless, when you look around the pits at the fast cars in many classes, they are running stepped headers. From a technical standpoint, a properly designed stepped header, is the only way to go.

[Jeff Goss]

The hard part, at least for me, is that this seems to be a "mystery science". Jetting, timing, etc. needs to be calibrated for the maximum gain that the header can provide.

You may or may not see a gain in et by dropping $1K+ on the stepped headers. I can't afford to do R&D at that price.

Don't get me wrong, I would if I had the extra money. It is hard to justify though. If you see .03 or .04 gain, was it worth it? Not to me, but that may well be why I don't have a car that runs 1.0 under-LOL!

I have to talked to a few header manufacturers about my combo, and none of them seemed to be very optimistic about any possible .10 gain in et, which is how much I would need to gain to justify the high cost.

Just my thoughts.

Jeff
6990 SS/MA

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Jeff Goss

The hard part, at least for me, is that this seems to be a "mystery science". Jetting, timing, etc. needs to be calibrated for the maximum gain that the header can provide.

You may or may not see a gain in et by dropping $1K+ on the stepped headers. I can't afford to do R&D at that price.

Don't get me wrong, I would if I had the extra money. It is hard to justify though. If you see .03 or .04 gain, was it worth it? Not to me, but that may well be why I don't have a car that runs 1.0 under-LOL!

I have to talked to a few header manufacturers about my combo, and none of them seemed to be very optimistic about any possible .10 gain in et, which is how much I would need to gain to justify the high cost.

Just my thoughts.

Jeff
6990 SS/MA

Go to:

http://www.headerdesign.com

Become a member and you will have access to calculators and lots of information on header design.

[Bill Grubbs]

Talk to Calvin Elston (704.821.4494 Calvin@elstonheaders.com) about headers, both stepped and Tri-Y. In our SBC there was a .13 gain with no other changes. We never dynoed the SBC headers as they would not fit on the dyno. However, the BBC showed an AVERAGE increase from Stahl heades of 14 HP, 13 ftlbs tq from 6000-7500 on a DTS dyno.

Bill

[njk53]

Bill, the 14HP and 13 Ft/lb torque numbers you stated were what percentage of your base horsepower? Those numbers are impressive. Thanks for the information.

[69Cobra]

One more vote for the Fab Shop. Tim just got done making a set of Pro Stock headers for Billy Glidden so I'm guessing he must be doing something right.

www.thefabshopheaders.com