Anyone run headers??

[madxman21]

Hey fellas,

New Z owner here. 1993 2+2 NA. Black with chrome OEM wheels. Just got sideskirts, manzo exhaust, 1 inch lowered with new shocks, and an intake.

I live in California with the strictest smog laws. Im curious if anyone runs headers on their cars and is it worth it? If I install headers in my Z it wont pass smog in which I have to pay $150 biyearly for the illegal smog lol.

[DCaff300ZX]

Welcome!
You obviously can run headers but in many/most cases smog may be an issue unless the headers have all of the correct connections for smog related items, and they are hooked up.
I do believe that Z-Owned has no issues with smog here in Wa. where we have some strict laws also, although he has to put his midsection back in IIRC...he'd have to elaborate, but he can pass the car and runs headers, '93 NA with some mods.

[MrFeesLaw]

We don't have any smog or emission regulations where I live, so I can't help you with that, but your questions seems to be if headers are "worth it"? What are you wanting to do? Are you looking for performance? or just looking for good sound? Either way, it is going to be your preference whether it is worth it to you.

You should post on the forum how you like your exhaust and how well it bolts up. I was looking as some manzo downpipes, because the previous owner destroyed mine, but I heard they didnt mate up with the cars mounts or placement very well.

[NolimitZ32]

I short, no headers aren't worth it, really nothing on a NA is worth it because the engine is pretty much peaked in stock form. The DE/DETT engines love boost but are fairly pigish in NA form.

[madxman21]

Performance wise, are headers worth it? Will I get more power?

Not necessarily a name brand whore, and the brand new knock off headers on eBay are only $75 shipped. Not trippen about the name of something that's underneath the engine that no one can see.

[NolimitZ32]

My 2c, take it for what it's worth.

1. Quality of exhaust parts WILL matter when those cheap a** Chinese ebay POSs pop a weld or crack the tubing and you're left replacing them, I have first hand experience with cheap a** Chinese ebay exhaust parts, none of them good. Lots on this site will tell you otherwise so it's your choice of whether you take the chance or not.
2. As for performance there is no noticeable difference with the headers, you may see a couple HP on a dyno but not enough to justify the money and the PITA of installing them.

[madxman21]

Thanks No limit!!!!!

You saved me $80 for the headers and $100 for installation (family friend whom owns a shop). Not buying anything with no noticeable change in performance.

[NolimitZ32]

No worries. If you want to upgrade your NA, the best thing to do is suspension and weight reduction for performance because the engine in NA trim wont respond well to anything you throw at it. Basically a TT swap is best bang for your buck. How there are lots of folks on this site that have very nice, clean, healthy NAs and enjoy the hell out of them, it all depends on what your goals are.