Headers or Tune

I just installed a CORSA cat-back exhaust system. I am not getting the performance I expected. I have been told that I do not have enough back pressure. What are my options?? Nelson Tune or Headers.

The Nelson tune will help alot! Headers will also greatly improve your backpressure as you are scavenging more exhuast gases out of each cylinder. Long tube headers will be your best bet. ASM, TOG, Thorley make good sets of long tubes. If I had the choice I would choose the Nelson tune though.

Chris

Thanks Chris. I have a Hypertech Tune right now but considering the Nelson tune if it gives me the added performance. I am weighing my options. Nelson tune and headers are about the same price if I go with shorties

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Originally posted by chrisj6@Jul 22 2005, 05:34 PM
The Nelson tune will help alot! Headers will also greatly improve your backpressure as you are scavenging more exhuast gases out of each cylinder. Long tube headers will be your best bet. ASM, TOG, Thorley make good sets of long tubes. If I had the choice I would choose the Nelson tune though.

Chris

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:imwstupid: Not knowing your $$$ situation, if can't get both right now, go w/ the Nelson tune. Not knocking shortys, lots of guys say they like them, but i'd save up the extra $$$ for long tubes. LTs will be mucho benefit if you decide to go w/ a cam upgrade later on.

Thanks for the advice. I cannot go all out just yet with the headers and the new tune. If I can sell my HYPERTECH on ebay for some much needed cash maybe I can do both. What kind of price are we looking at with the long tube headers?? Do they bolt right up or do I need to do some mods? I know I am working on a big heavy vehicle but I would like to make it quicker naturally. Again thanks for any help.

Long tubes will require some cutting of the exhaust pipe, not sure how much as I havent done this before, but I know some modding is necessary.

Chris

Not enough back pressure is a myth. The ideal situation would be to have no back pressure. Where this gets a little trick is the headers. If the primary tubes on the headers are to large the exhaust pulses do not create a vacuum behind them to promote scavenging. So...If the primaries on your headers must be the correct diameter so that a vacuum is created, but no back pressure in front of the exhaust pulse.

The tune is the way to go. Dont buy the shorty headers, you will be dissapointed in performance. I know this because I had the edelbrock shorties on my last truck. With the tune and cat back the truck will run good. If you want better performance get the hot tune and run premium fuel. Allan says the hot tune is good for about 40 more HP. Best bargain around.

Once you do this it will run good enough until the cash situation is better and you can get the long tubes.

Oh yea, if you want performance dont complain about buying premium fuel.

going fast = money spent

what about losing torque when adding headers? i was under the impression that there was an amount of backpressure necessary, otherwise low-end power will suffer.

i too was interested in adding a set of headers, but concerned about raising the torque peak.

Adding long tube headers will give you a good deal amount of torque more.

Chris

i have edelbrock headeras and theyre awesome i def didnt lose power

Thanks. This is the kind of help this site is for. From all the responses I think I will go for the Nelson Tune for now. This is for a family vehicle, but who says a family vehicle can't be fast. I only use the performance when I am by myself.