Custom 1995-1997 Headers Idea, Need Help!

[cboney2000]

I've been scheming to solve the problem of not having a semi-cheap solution for quality headers for our 97 v6's. My question is, if I were to purchase a set of tubular 2000+ manifolds and to have them ported out enough on the inside and polished too while also having them port matched to the heads, would it be worth the price of $300-320 and would it offer a good gain and exhaust tone? Also, how thin could they be safely ported out??

[ucmeflyby]

Could you "tune" the exhaust manifold, to some degree with porting to even further replicate the effects of headers? I mean by varying the amount of porting done for each sequential exhaust pulse.

[Dojo2000]

Have you ever seen tubular manifolds? (I had a set, but I sold them.) From what I understand you'd have to cut them in half to be able to port them. There's no way to get any kind of porting tool all the way down the pipes. Porting them has been discussed before. Not saying its a bad idea, but nobodies thought it was worth it so far.

[ October 04, 2002: Message edited by: Dojo2000 ]</p>

[cboney2000]

Well I answered my own question by calling a guy at Dvorak Machine Shop and this is what he told me.

1. You can do it, they use an abrasive clay that is forced through the tubes at a LOT of pressure which cleanly ports them, but is expensive.

2. This would make no difference with stock heads and cam, only changing the tube length (making longtubes maybe) would be capable of gaining more horsepower at the expense of torque.

3. If possible to find, he said a set of longtube headers with a tri-y design (like the CIA's I believe) to maintain some torque would be our best solution.