i was reading this thread an the last 3 comments really caught my attention
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ptions-219845/

i guess ted at engnbldr thinks that headers dont really do much for low end performance and that a performance head is a better option.

i wanted to expand this into a new thread.

i would like to hear from people who chose to run headers, performance heads or both in offroad situations

everything ive come across up to this point has lead me to think that headers have always been the go to upgrade for engine performance but are they application specific?
i always read high praise on headers but is that most relevant in the context of street performance and highway driving?
compared to a performance head are headers a worthless upgrade for offroad application?

 

Adding a header will gain you some power and performance, but if you have a ported head with over sized valves and a cam and you keep the stock exhaust manifold you will be holding the engine back because the stock exhaust manifold and exhaust can`t flow like a header can and after market exhaust can. On my 22RE is all stock except for a Downey Header and exhaust and an AFM upgrade. It definatly made a difference that was noticeable. I have a 90 22RE upper intake that i will be swapping on soon because it flows better than the early 22RE upper intakes.

 

I always start my up grades with a simple header and letting the engine breath better with a different air induction. then move the heads modifications.