Exhaust

[wytbishop]

That exhaust manifold has a additional piping to install a Turbocharger. Unless you have a turbocharger to bolt to it, it will have a great big hole in it...where the turbo goes.

Dig?

[neli_nael]

yes but turbo manifold is not the same as exhaust manifold.

[93vtecklr]

I have to say i disagree about the benefits of headers on K8's. I'm running a set of aftermarket probe headers on my K8, were on my ZE (RIP, long harrowing story), and even with the pennance of HP added I still pass stock K8's with ease. Mind you, in my neck of the woods, there's not a lot of mx3 fans unfortunately. In line with better intake, I run the headers, 2.5" magnaflow hi-flo cat, 2.5" piping to 8" resonator, to a magnaflow dual tipped muffler. The headers in my opinion have definately made a (small, yet noticable) difference.

[Slammed6]

As far as exhaust, if you have a KLDE or KLZE you are going to want to run a 2.5" exhaust setup, if your sticking with the K8 then 2.25" is sufficient.

really? cause the dyno database on probetalk basically says that 2.25" exhaust on a NA KL has greater torque readings then the 2.5".

You are gonna want to go for peak HP readings and you might loose a lil TRQ in the lower RPM's but you will more than make up for it in the higher RPM's with the HP gained.

I remember reading an article in sport compact or some magazine back in the day where it broke the your exhaust piping is based off the size of your motor. They dyno'd a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder with 2" catback, 2.25", and 2.5". Made the most HP and TRQ with the 2.5". Then they grabbed a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder and did the same dyno runs with it made the most HP and TRQ with the 2.5" as well.

And i actually did 2.25" on my MX-6 when i first got it, it was OK, but a definate power difference with the 2.5" catback. I also had me and my friend race before and after and it made up a noticeable difference. Both of us had Auto, it was pretty much the same til we got up mid-top 2nd gear where i had a noticeable power advantage. Before we were dead even all the way down.

[Nd4SpdSe]

2.5" mendrel bent was the hightly recommended norm for KL's back a few years ago. I don't know why, but everyone seems to be recommending only 2.25". I went with 2.5" crushed bent since I couldn't find any mendrel benders in the area.

I do think headers and exhaust on a K8 would hinder performance rather than gain any.

[Whisper]

and sure if your not interested in swapping a motor, then buying ebay headers for your 1.8 is worth it, they are cheap plus that look really good when you pop your hood, if you take away that useless plastic piece that runs across the rad support for stock intakes.

I don't know about the quality of cheap $70 eBay headers, but I figure you get what you pay for. Personally I wouldn't buy these. Decent ones, like OBX, would run him well over $200. And to get anything out of them he'd need a full 2.5" exhaust (cat, pipes, muffler) - so the cost would quickly bloat, and he would end up with horrible horsepower-per-dollar value. I don't know, maybe you've put $70 headers on your K8 and magically gained 50 hp, but I doubt it. I imagine maybe a 10 hp gain for K8. I could be wrong, though. If someone has K8 numbers, would be good to see.

Now, when you have a 2.5L, that's a huge difference in breathing volume, and it really benefits from having headers. This is mainly the reason most people swap in a ZE/DE before they do the headers.

I guess if at some point he's gonna get a ZE, then it would make sense to have the headers... Although he might as well just save that header money and put it towards getting the 2.5L motor first. It's just a matter of priorities.

[boosted_bullet]

if u have ebay headers on your k8 and your planing on swapping cant you just use them on your kl when you swap?

[Whisper]

Yeah. That's what I said. If he's planning to do a swap, headers would make sense.

Who makes those cheap "eBay" headers, anyway?

[projectzemx3]

ss autochrome, lol they are probably made in bulk by chinese people.

[jbud1291]

lol i cant even pay for $70 headers....i need another job lol

[Whisper]

ss autochrome, lol they are probably made in bulk by chinese people.

Really? SSA headers are around $250.

[Slammed6]

The SS Autochrome headers are quality. I've used them, as well as installed many on swaps for customers. They line up very well and look excellent. Never had a weld crack or anything.

[Whisper]

Yeah, they're decent. Probably the better of the bunch.