Hot Shot Header vs S & S

Post by **240sxgirl** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Which is a better header for the ka24e (sohc), the hot shot header or the s & s? Any help would be appreciated!

Post by **RedShred** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Hotsthot by along shot

I have done my research to ensure my money was well spent.

The S&S is a thin walled ill manufactured product that doesnt fit very well and the paint burns off quickly. The Hotshot is widely used and liked by most folks that use them. I use a Hotshot and the difference is like nite and day with and with out it. You'll be much better off with a Hotshot.

You get what you pay for... this is a part that you need quality and craftsmanship... cheaper isnt better in this instance.

Call Ken at Enjukuracing.com and order yours... 330 w/ free shipping isnt too bad. Mine came with gaskets and instructions. I have a write up somewhere on here about it's installation, but not everyone has issues putting them on.

Hope this helps.

Post by **240sxgirl** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I am looking at buying a used one from a friend. Will I have to buy new gaskets for it? I am getting a good deal on it otherwise I wouuld buy a new one. I have to replace my stock headers as one of the bolts to the manifold is busted, so I plan on putting headers on . I bought the car with front end damage and I am in the works on restoring and customizing the car. The car came with a brand new exhaust setup, except it has a 5 inch tip muffler, but it sounds nice. I am not to mechanically inclined but i have my boyfriend to help me install the headers so I hope they fit decent.

Post by **Aries** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

all you'll need is the manifold gasket, and a new collector gasket.bout $20 total at your local parts store

Post by **RedShred** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I turned down a 50 dollar used S&S with tape for my hotshot. Ultimately, its better than stock and if thats what you can afford, than I say tear it up ! Good luck with your build up !! ;thumby;

Post by **bruinbear714** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I have the HS header and it's been in my car for at least 3 months now. It hasn't lost its shine yet. Fitment was almost perfect, even came with all gaskets I needed to do swap. Paid $320 for them.

Post by **Open4Cycle** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I can't find the manufactures website of the S&S but isn't the S&S the real performance header? If its the one I'm thinking of they offer it in both painted finish and ceramic finish. I used a HS for my SOHC heres a list of my pros and cons.

ProNice lookThick flangeEasy install

ConsNeeds more clearance for center spark plug removalBad weld jobSmall tubingFlange doesn't line up with ports

Post by **Smebbin'd'240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I got the S&S headers, and my ka24e is still out of the car, fresh rebuild so I can't say how good they are. They fit fine, but don't expect a straight bolt on. They were ceramic coated and look to be good quality, but they were coated on the flange that faces the head and also bad surface quality there. I filed them for about 2 hours and fit like a charm. Another note is these headers use a 4 to 1 style rather than hot-shot's tri-Y style. I'll let you all know how they work out.

Website · Post by **daniel240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Hotshot for sure! ive heard nothing but bad things about every other company but HS. ive had mine for over a yr. and they work fine, they were very easy to install, and everything lined up and fit perfectly. you can see what mine look like on my site, they are a yr old.

Post by **project240racing** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I use the hot shot on my 1991. I have heard many bad things about s&s but nothing on hotshot.It seems 99% of people that go with hotshot are satisfied

Post by **ITA240SX** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

240sxgirl wrote:Which is a better header for the ka24e (sohc), the hot shot header or the s & s? Any help would be appreciated!

The Hotshot is generally considered to be a better header for the street. From what I've read, it seems to produce better torque increases in the low-mid rpm range, with some gain in the high-rpm range, which is exactly what you want from a street header. The S&S is thought to be a better pure race header, with better gains in the upper rpm range. Because of that I'm in the process of selling my Hotshot on ebay to get money to buy the S&S. Keep in mind too, that most guys who race are used to having to 'make it fit', so the fact that the S&S may require some tweaking isn't really as much of an issue.

Post by **I am Technoman** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Hotshot works very well with a good set of cams!

Post by **corn322** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

240sxgirl:"I have to replace my stock headers as one of the bolts to the manifold is busted..."

lucky you. 3 days after I got my car, I looked at the exhaust manifold and noticed I was missing both upper bolts for cylinders 3 and 4. http://www.geocities.com/corn3...t.jpg

Post by **sixxdeuce** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

So the S&S makes better gains in the higher rpm range? Thats exactly where I want the improvment on my s14. I think I would rather have more power at higher revs since my engine already has enough of a truck like powerband.

Post by **Jays90240SX** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

That's interesting about the S&S, it's a good price too.

But I can't find info, such as how big the primaries are, and what size the collector is, the Hotshot is only 2 1/4 inch collector!

Post by **JJ240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I dont know where you guys are looking, but the S&S headers are more expensive than hotshot when coated. Hotshot all come coated and are about 320 dollars. S&S coated are even more than that. Uncoated the S&S are 270 dollars.

Post by **Smebbin'd'240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I got mine from someone on ebay. Under 300 shipped (ceramic coated also) Looks clean in my engine compartment

Anyways, looking at the header closely it looks well constructed. After installing it all the way it was a ***** and a half to get in let me tell you. But I assume all of them are. They do fit, though very tight under the drivers seat. It is 2 pieces with 3 bolts connecting the pieces in a triangle flange where one of the points is tight on the underside. It may cause some mad vibrations but I got some wrap to help out on that. When I start it up I'll know more...

Post by **nlzmo400r** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

well i guess the choice seems obvious here

Post by **Gemmis** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

WORD! :oface

Post by **team23rulz** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

I'm going to go Hotshot...from what I hear on other sites, that is where it is at...I plan to throw a good bit of money at my car since i decided to do a fresh rebuild...might find another head to port and polish...just in case an accident occurs...

Post by **nlzmo400r** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

i goin with hotshot on my altima, id they would make one for it, although the spec V header will probably work

Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

SORRY IM A MORON BUT WTF IS S & S.. IS THAT AN S14 THING? JOE

Post by **JJ240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Its a brand of very nice headers. http://www.ssheaders.com

Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

AND SOMEONE REFRESH MY MEMORY BUT WHATS SOO IMPORTANT ABOUT HAVEING CERAMIC COATING ON THE HEADERS? AND IF I WERE TO USE HEAT WRAPS WOULDNT IT NOT MATTER?JOE

Post by **JJ240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

You can wrap instead of ceramic coating. In fact it contains heat better. However make sure you follow the directions wrapping and dont overlap more than 1/4 inch. Also use the silicone spray to seal it up good if you want it to last. One of the main reasons wrapped headers fall apart is because of moisture soaking into the wrap and sitting there for awhile.

Post by **Smebbin'd'240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Coating = 10x better than wrap. Read the other posts concerning wraps. They will destroy your header from the heat being contained in the wrap and not being released. Go with the coating... whichever header you get.

Post by **JJ240** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

Only if it is overwrapped, or gets moisture trapped inside. I spoke with someone from S&S about it. Buy the DEI wrap kit and just use the lines they have on the wrap to show how much to overlap it.

Post by **nlzmo400r** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

as far as longevity a good coating is undoubtedly better, but it all depends on your price budget too, a good wrap job will outlast a crappy coating

Post by **gibbo80** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

ITA240SX wrote:The Hotshot is generally considered to be a better header for the street. From what I've read, it seems to produce better torque increases in the low-mid rpm range, with some gain in the high-rpm range, which is exactly what you want from a street header. The S&S is thought to be a better pure race header, with better gains in the upper rpm range. Because of that I'm in the process of selling my Hotshot on ebay to get money to buy the S&S. Keep in mind too, that most guys who race are used to having to 'make it fit', so the fact that the S&S may require some tweaking isn't really as much of an issue.

whats your name i would like to check that out on ebay

Post by **ITA240SX** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 4:57 am

gibbo80 wrote:whats your name i would like to check that out on ebay

Sorry, it's gone already.

Hot Shot Header vs S & S

Hot Shot Header vs S & S

Re: Hot Shot Header vs S & S

Re: Re: Hot Shot Header vs S & S

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