air flow mod THIS WEEK.. need quick advise.. someone said NO headers????????????

[EROCK777]

Okay. Gotta a package waiting on me. Cool air, headers, HK1 dual exhasut system. Old hotrod buddy of mine told me that headers add minimal increase on flow and horsepower. Told me it wasn't worth it unless I was going supercharge or turbo. He explained to me that the headers have hard time with leaks (plus the horrible install)...

AND if I ran with the cool air and exhaust mod without changing the headers... then added headers later I would see no difference in response or power, or sound.

Once I mod the airflow... do I need to do any electronic/computer tuning for proper engine response??
Modified by EROCK777 at 1:22 PM 9/7/2009

[aris_unlimited]

You are not going to see huge gains from any bolt on part you put on. The only reason lots of people don't do the headers is because the install is a pita, or they are going to turbo it.

If you're future plans are to turbo it, then don't bother with headers.

As for headers having leaking problems.......mine don't. And while the install is a pita it's worth it in my opinion. Most auto shops claim 5-6 hours for install of headers and that's how long it took me and my dad to do it. But we are both used to working on cars. If you have no experience or little experience working on cars then you probably shouldn't try to install headers.

And you shouldn't really need any tuning with those mods. You're stock ECU is a learning ECU. It will adjust to small mods like that. If you turbo/supercharge or add cams to your Z then you will probably need to get it tuned.

Although I did know a guy that put a supercharger on his, then had to drive it 4-5 hours to get it tuned. When he got there the shop said it was tuned just about perfect.......so the computer can do wonders lol. Although they did alter it just a bit.

[orangeNblue]

I'm not sure exactly how much hp headers alone would add but together with the exhaust and CAI I would think you could feel and notice the difference with and without them on, even if its minimal...

some informationhttp://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Headers

[EROCK777]

hey... appreciate the info. Every little bit of horse power eventually adds up in the end so I'm kinda dissappointed in even losing the little gain the headers would provide. This is my first step in breaking the factory seal. I really am just learning about this car and am wanting to increase in every little way possible until I eventually reach satisfaction.

So any other tips to move from this point would be appreciated. I'm really excited about this first step though. The exhaust is gonna be a enjoyable start.

Any thoughts in the direction that I should focus next?

[dasoupdude]

until I eventually reach satisfaction.

[orangeNblue]

ha that's so true...twin turbo that beast!

Or since he already has the headers....HKS supercharger

[EROCK777]

TURBOS/SUPERCHARGER...... I would like to look forward to this in the future. So these can be added without any engine work? If so.... are there high potential risks for major damages to the motor with these beautifully, monsterous components? I want to go in that direction... just don't want to f$#k up my engine.

Oh yeah... gonna go ahead and get the headers installed. Just don't think it would be right to rattle my soon to be treasured exhaust system if I deside to do it later down the road.

Grabbin some badasss Ruff Racing wheels tomorow!!!! Stoked. Straight out of the box never been used.... and half price. Too lovely.

Thanks for all the INFO. Apreciated..

[aris_unlimited]

As long as you stay within the stock parameters of the supercharger/turbocharger kit you get (don't up the boost) your car should be fine. Just make sure to take it to a place that knows how to tune for this, an improper tune can kill your car just as easily as running 20psi on stock internals can.