SC400 Headers?
06-15-09, 10:48 PM
#1
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SC400 Headers?
Hey guys, I'm toying with the idea of getting a header for my sc4 with tanabe medalion exhaust, so far I've found 2 options, one is the S&S Headers and the other is the IMF Headers, offered by one guy on planet soarer, dont know if you guys heard of him...
Both are about 600 bucks, from what the IMF guys said he claims his header probably will perform better because its stainless steel
This is his email to me, in quote
"The S&S headers are short tube design, the IMF headers are long tube designed (not full length) to give you better performance and power gains over short tube (can be twice as much HP as short tube design).
The S&S headers are mild steel ceramic coated (the coating will burn off after a few thousand miles and will need to be recoated in order to maintain performance gain, otherwise you could actually start losing power.
The IMF headers are stainless steel and will never need to be retreated or maintained in any way. It will last the life of the car and maintain the power gains through the life of the car. Stainless steel is all around a better product which cost twice as much as mild steel, sometimes more.
Due to the headers design, the IMF headers should provide with more horsepower and torque gain over the S&S. I might be biased but if you look at the design by itself and compare the two headers you can easily see why the IMF are superior. You dont have to take my word for it. Look at any other type of headers made for other cars and look at which ones are the most popular and which ones provide the best power gains and you will find more similarities to the IMF headers then you would to the S&S design."
Just wondering if any of you guys had any experience with either headers, any feedback, suggestions, are always welcomed
Also, does anyone know if i will fail any visual or smog inspection if i install the headers? I'm in So Cal
Both are about 600 bucks, from what the IMF guys said he claims his header probably will perform better because its stainless steel
This is his email to me, in quote
"The S&S headers are short tube design, the IMF headers are long tube designed (not full length) to give you better performance and power gains over short tube (can be twice as much HP as short tube design).
The S&S headers are mild steel ceramic coated (the coating will burn off after a few thousand miles and will need to be recoated in order to maintain performance gain, otherwise you could actually start losing power.
The IMF headers are stainless steel and will never need to be retreated or maintained in any way. It will last the life of the car and maintain the power gains through the life of the car. Stainless steel is all around a better product which cost twice as much as mild steel, sometimes more.
Due to the headers design, the IMF headers should provide with more horsepower and torque gain over the S&S. I might be biased but if you look at the design by itself and compare the two headers you can easily see why the IMF are superior. You dont have to take my word for it. Look at any other type of headers made for other cars and look at which ones are the most popular and which ones provide the best power gains and you will find more similarities to the IMF headers then you would to the S&S design."
Just wondering if any of you guys had any experience with either headers, any feedback, suggestions, are always welcomed
Also, does anyone know if i will fail any visual or smog inspection if i install the headers? I'm in So Cal
06-16-09, 03:39 AM
#4
mmm never heard of them....
iv also NEVER heard of Losing horsepower because of he ceramic coating coming off?!?!?!
Im calling bull ****, i think they may be a viable option to the header department, BUT i think he is just trying to bash his competition.
If possible, ask him for a dyno sheet proving his are better, or ask around on planet soarer as well, maybe even the Lextreme Forums =)
Thanks for showing us this option tho, let me know what you do and how you like your choice
iv also NEVER heard of Losing horsepower because of he ceramic coating coming off?!?!?!
Im calling bull ****, i think they may be a viable option to the header department, BUT i think he is just trying to bash his competition.
If possible, ask him for a dyno sheet proving his are better, or ask around on planet soarer as well, maybe even the Lextreme Forums =)
Thanks for showing us this option tho, let me know what you do and how you like your choice
06-16-09, 06:01 PM
#5
I've had the S&S headers on my GS430 for over 3 years ( and this is my daily driver, so about 50,000 miles worth ) and the Jet Hot ceramic coating looks like it did the day I installed them. The S&S headers increase the peak power and more importantly, they increase the mid-range and drivability. Best engine mod I've done on my GS430 ( and I have a few ). Pearlpower did some dyno pulls to prove the increase on his SC430.
Can't speak for the other headers, as I know of no-one running them -or- any dyno results.
Can't speak for the other headers, as I know of no-one running them -or- any dyno results.
06-16-09, 06:13 PM
#6
1JZ Single SC400
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I agree with both above statements. Sounds like B... crap to me about the coating coming off and losing horsepower. Everyone on here pretty much stands behind the S and S headers... I would say go with what people have used over and over again. PM Scotturnot and redphoenix. I believe they have them on there for awhile. Just my thoughts.
06-16-09, 06:34 PM
#7
i have the IMF headers and absolutely love them. they aren't a perfect fit as the driver side tends to shift closer to the transmission, but neither is the S&S for the SC. The S&S is more geared towards the GS exhaust. The IMF headers on the passenger side will bolt up directly whereas the driver side, like i said, is shifted towards the transmission and won't bolt up exactly.
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07-22-09, 09:43 PM
#9
Both the S&S and the IMF headers wont be able to touch those rush headers across the entire powerband. A full length tri-Y setup like the rush ones is pretty much the best choice for the street, I've learned from building lots of sbc's that shorty headers are more like an alternative to cast manifolds than an alternative to long tubes
06-17-12, 05:49 PM
#14
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I have the IMF headers going through stock exhaust. They sound great on acceleration and totally quiet while cruising. Very small seat of the pants increase. Hard to tell as 10 or so hp would be impossible to feel.
