Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

I read on one of the chat sessions with the SRT team:

Question: There have been quite a few controversial posts on different forums lately concerning aftermarket headers for the 6.1 engine. There have been claims of increases in the range of 20-30hp. What would you guys say is the max possible attainable HP, if anything, with aftermarket headers vs the stock headers? My contention is that there really is no room for improvement in replacing stock headers alone. But the argument is that the factory had to take cost considerations into play and therefore may have left some HP on the table.


Answer: That sounds extremely unlikely. The stock headers did not leave much room for gains in HP. We would put it more likely in the realm of 2 - 5 hp.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

ive never taken a good enough look at them to know for sure, but lately so many performance cars are coming with an exhaust manifold so near the shape and flow pattern of a "header", that gains would be minimal...however, when you take into effect things like inside and outside powder coating, increased size, etc...it would make a bigger difference.

also, if the exhaust manifolds are similar to a "shorty" header, where the exhaust system comes up into the engine bay to meet them, then the exhaust travels through the "y-pipe"...you can often see some gains in going to a long tube header, which extends down under the vehicle, then into a collector.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

From what I have been reading with the 05+ mustangs, replacing the shorties, doesn't give you much HP's that is worth the money. LT's I have read give around 30 HP's. But the problem with the LT's is that there are not street legal because of smog laws. This even goes for catback exhaust. I remember when that mod would give a decent output, but now, it may gain 1hp. Basically people just get the axleback and is more for the sound than anything.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

i should point out that on cars not really intended for performance, a shorty header and catback system can make a much bigger difference...non-performance vehicles have very little R&D effort put into the design of the header and exhaust system, but with performance cars, the R&D people are focusing on getting the most power with the least amount of emissions or heat issues...
techman, there are NO LTs that will pass cali smog?

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

From what I have read, it will pass tailpipe test and ecu test, but if the tech were to visually see it, he could fail it because it isn't smog legal. Then you would have to put the old one back on and goto a CA smog station for inspection.

Also if the police see it, that is a ticket and you would have to take it off and put the other back on then take it in to get it signed off.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

i would hate living in cali, just based on that...

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

Every place has their pros and cons. Depends all on what you like to do. My big thing is Motorcycles. I like the fact I can ride all year round here. I did the east coast thing, and that wasn't for me. I wouldn't mind living in a different area than L.A. though, but the wife's job prevents that.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

if i had a bike, i would see your point a great deal more, but i dont like people telling me what i can and cannot do to my vehicles, and i thought that PA was bad, but cali takes it to an extreme. whats funny, is that the mirada is not legal in PA because it doesnt have cats, but it runs MUCH cleaner than my old ramcharger...:eek:

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

Blame the Eviironmental wackos, and the politicians who don't know sh&^ who just look at papers the wackos give them and say OK, sounds good to me. and sign off on it without proper research.

You can always get a 74 or older, it may be 76 now. They are smog exempt.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

Okay, so all that being said, what would be the the top changes for performance enhancements on the 2008 Challenger within a $2K budget and destroying the warranty.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

I would say a CAI and tuner like predator or SCT XCAL, then take it to a credible shop who has a dyno and can dial in a tune for you.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

And also, if you get a MTX, get a short throw shifter. I got one for the stang, and shifts much better I think.

And for the tuner, at least for one I can get for stang, it will hold 3 tunes, so you can have one for 87 octane for daily driving, then when you want to get agressive, they can make a tune for 91/93 depending where you are at. The super here is 91 octane.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

the throw on the concept is VERY short, as is the shifter itself..it will be interesting to see if that hits the showroom.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

Any thoughts on changing to a larger throttle body. I assume that a CAT Back is out of the question since it is probably already optimized for performance.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

the catback exhaust is how they get the few extras HP out of the daytona models...as for the 6.1L models, im not certain. the larger throttle body could help, but to get optimum performance out of it, you would need a tuner like tech mentioned.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

I would hold off on the TB and wait to see someone else do it and see what their results are. Make sure it would be worth spending the money.

And Patrick, what is a few extra HP's? Is it worth the cash for these things if only a few extra? I know, I sound cheap, but would rather put my money into something that gives a significant change first, then go for the little things.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

the daytona has 5 extra hp from a factory installed "high flow exhaust"...or so says the brochures...

i think that alot of people jump on things that tack on 5-8hp here and there because they dont require any real permanent modifications or mechanical knowledge. things like a catback system, CAI, etc....people can find a friend who owns a few tools (if they dont) and it makes the car sound faster, and to that person, it feels a little faster.

RE: Header comment on the 6.1L engine
 

Yes, and it also sets up the engine for further modifications. Anytime you helps an engine inhale and exhale better it just goes faster.

Kinda like when you gets sick and ur nose is stopped up and you can't breath and then you get consipated......it sure makes it tough running the 100 yard dash...........and we wonder why are cars won't go fast.

They are stopped up and consitpated too!;

How do you like my southern riding uurrr I mean writing?

LOL!