Headers on my NA.

[nissanz32]

What are some good affordable (under $250) headers i can get for my NA. and how will headers sound on my NA

[300freekzx]

IDK had a friend say ebay is fine for his but hey

[Z-owned]

Many people have run the ebay ones without issues if you go that route just dont go with the cheapest ones. Z1 sells them though not sure how much as well as amz if you want name brand without paying the outragous amount for the stillen and their poor quality.

[emiliog2276]

Just save your money, since Stillen lowered theirs from 600 too 400. It sounds like alot but if you are willing to spend 250 whats another 100 bucks.

[Z-owned]

More expensive doesn't always mean a better product. Several people have complained about poor quality specifically in regards to stillen headers

Quick example from a search

[savage]

So what are some good headers that arent riddiculously overpriced

[skinZ32]

Quick example from a search

holy $H!T batman. is that even a welded? i thought stillen had good products for the Z

[300freekzx]

Hmmmmm Stillen. Hmmmm

[pcproa]

holy $H!T batman. is that even a welded? i thought stillen had good products for the Z

It's welded on the outside.

I wouldn't bother with the headers for the NA. There's no noticeable difference for the amount of work that there is. So the answer to your question is, Stock. Stock is cheaper than $250.

[clickdoc]

i am on my second NA -- the first one had stillen's, the second one has the cheap ones -- Megan I think -- in retrospect i would wait for headers till the very last while pondering & saving for a TT swap !

And don't even think about doing it yourself unless you are a mechanic -- a real PITA job even if you are a mechanic -- here in chicago we have ULTIMATE Z and they hate doing headers !

PS -- ULTIMATE Z has them for $299 with good quality http://www.ultimatez.com/shop/...08009, compare that with stillen and bottom of page

[nsrZ32]

2nd on Ultimate Z

I know a guy who has them who's quite pleased with the fit and finish.

[Ksizz13]

i run obx lol , they are awesome, great welds and good fitment. smooth inside. i got mine for 70 shipped lol brand new but i got lucky. watch ebay for them. but they go for about 200 or less.

[Ksizz13]

on second thought , get test pipes and a tune first. way better gains for the money. then throw in a 1 piece driveshaft. the headers are so hard to install unless the motor is out. thats the only reason i have em. megan test pipes are awesomeee!!!!!!

[skinZ32]

I wouldn't bother with the headers for the NA. There's no noticeable difference for the amount of work that there is. .

is that true ? i culd have sworn that i read that header install is one of the best HP gains for an NA? im confused

[takethewall]

That's what i've read too. Stillen claims 16 rwhp increase.

[Weber3211]

headers were definitely my biggest power gain. but it also helps to have test pipes and cat-back.

[Ksizz13]

ehhh, idk maybe it was just the amount of which i beat ppl i lost to before

[NissanFairladyZ32]

yeah ive heard its the most gains on a na from some people and some people say its not worth the work cause there is not that much diff

i just have Testpipes and catback on my exhaust

[bmxer300zx]

i have jvt headers on my z i speant like 230 ish on ebay and they seem good so far.ive always bought ebay headers so hasnt my buddy never really had any big prob with em yet

[rayop]

I recently had my 1990 Nissan 300zx 2+2 NA exhaust changed from factory to Top Speed headers, Magnaflow cats, and Billy Boat Cat back system (x pipe, resonated). Let me say, there is such a horsepower gain since this swap that to those that say it doesn't...they are dead wrong!

[DCaff300ZX]

I recently had my 1990 Nissan 300zx 2+2 NA exhaust changed from factory to Top Speed headers, Magnaflow cats, and Billy Boat Cat back system (x pipe, resonated). Let me say, there is such a horsepower gain since this swap that to those that say it doesn't...they are dead wrong!

Holy Zombie Thread Revival!
I have never seen proof that headers do much for an NA other than sounding a bit better for all of that hassle, and my Z guy agrees even for a TT unless over 600HP. There's no NA restriction issues to combat/improve really so that's why there isn't much gain...cone filters also claim 5-7 HP but I've seen proof they change nothing really other than ease of maintenance. Changing out the cats and mufflers for larger internal diameter tubing makes things free-flowing as possible, but also can disrupt the exhaust scavenging aspects of the exhaust and actually lose much of the low-end response, and only give a tad of extra power at the top...a bad trade off generally, plus that RASP.
Stock to 2 1/4 diameter tubing, high flow cats, and improved mufflers is the best bet for an NA and generally smooths things out nicely, and still sounds good. This is what I did with my NA after initially trying all of the "fad" stuff, and had to dial things back to this point to make it run decently at all and most of all not sound like a crappy Honda.

[echonightsi]

I recently had my 1990 Nissan 300zx 2+2 NA exhaust changed from factory to Top Speed headers, Magnaflow cats, and Billy Boat Cat back system (x pipe, resonated). Let me say, there is such a horsepower gain since this swap that to those that say it doesn't...they are dead wrong!

How much did you spend though? I have done cone filter, and mufflers, this being 400 already. I assume nice headers and install costs = 600 low balling. So we have a total of 1000 (with no new cats). I can find a VGTT for 1500 on the ebay. Yes with labor it will be a close to double the price but with that you can really feel the HP increase. Like probably 10-12!!!!! Id rather save and get what I really want.... I do own a NA though so .......

[NolimitZ32]

I recently had my 1990 Nissan 300zx 2+2 NA exhaust changed from factory to Top Speed headers, Magnaflow cats, and Billy Boat Cat back system (x pipe, resonated). Let me say, there is such a horsepower gain since this swap that to those that say it doesn't...they are dead wrong!

I'm glad that you're happy with your investment and don;t let anyone else tell you how to build your own dream car. . . . but I will bet you that you didn't actually gain more than 10 or 12 peak hp (and that's being generous), what you did do is move your torqueband around making the car feel more responsive in a place in the powerband where it was previously lacking thereby making your butt-dyno feel a much more significant increase than what took place. Again, if the car is more fun then you've done what you set out to do. This is a big reason that factory TT folks swap to NA rear ends, the shorter gearing puts down more power quicker and makes the car feel a lot more alive.