Race vs. Street headers

Jsh1284 · Feb 16, 2004

I'm going to drop some cash when the weather settles down for the summer, so I'm trying to make some final decisions on what mods I want for the Foci. I understand the differences between the shorty and race headers, and I know what to expect in power for both. I am just trying to figure out what to expect from Ford when I need warranty work done, and they spot a race header. I know the weasels at my dealership would be drooling in that scenario... but what would that part actually void in my warranty?? Thanks for any help.

UltegraSTI · Feb 16, 2004

street headers r not honestly worth the money. 1 they have tendencies 2 crack (meanin comin on and off which is already a biatch, is more annoying). 2 they dont make much power for the money u paid. 3 have a tendency 2 kill stock cats.

get a race header of do a full conversion to a svt setup.

-Ult

Jsh1284 · Feb 16, 2004

That's what I've heard... but if I get a race header, what kind of BS can I expect from Ford? Also.. does anyone know which warranty covered parts I'm gonna void by using a race header?

I've thought about buying an exhaust SVT header, Cat, and a 2.25 flexpipe.. but I really want to go in another direction with the car... thanks

UltegraSTI · Feb 16, 2004

well that direction works heavily on ur warranty and will require a different style of header all 2gether, 1 that can bolt up a different apparatus after it

-Ult

Jsh1284 · Feb 16, 2004

Oh well.. maybe I'll go with a different setup. I don't like excessive pollution anyways

.. have you heard of anyone using the Focus Central cat?

Predator · Feb 16, 2004

I don't know how to PM you so, if you want a shorty my friends got one he wants to sell.

1fastfocus · Feb 16, 2004

I went with a FC raceheader and my car was VERY loud unless you live somewhere where they dont mind ear piercing noise i would maybe think about a shorty. One thing people fail to tell you about raceheaders is they are extremely loud. And as far as shorty headers not making power, I have a jba on my car and it definately doesnt make the power that the FC raceheader did but its alot better than stock IMO

methknome · Feb 16, 2004

I went with a FC raceheader and my car was VERY loud unless you live somewhere where they dont mind ear piercing noise i would maybe think about a shorty. One thing people fail to tell you about raceheaders is they are extremely loud. And as far as shorty headers not making power, I have a jba on my car and it definately doesnt make the power that the FC raceheader did but its alot better than stock IMO

wrong info...you don't have to have loud exhaust when running a race header. There are resonators that you can install in the straight pipe, right down the center of the car. I have a 36 in. resonator. If you have a loud cat back, just have one of these installed

speedy_zx3 · Feb 16, 2004

can't believe I'm doing this, but...

if you end up going with the race header, I have one for sale. check out the classifieds for my ad.

split_S · Feb 16, 2004

I'm not totally sure what they will void from warranty but it depends on the dealership you go to. Worst they can say is no or maybe (i'm not sure) they'll report you to the authorities.

1fastfocus · Feb 16, 2004

wrong info...you don't have to have loud exhaust when running a race header. There are resonators that you can install in the straight pipe, right down the center of the car. I have a 36 in. resonator. If you have a loud cat back, just have one of these installed

Actually my car IS loud because of FC raceheader. I put the highflow cat on my car with the jba shorty header and its not louder with stock header. Granted you dont have to have a loud exhaust because you run a raceheader but i have mbrp exhaust and the only way i can run another resonator is to cut the old one out and which is pretty big and add another one in. I talked with mcnews and they arent even sure if it would quiet it down. Im not going to go and spend more money and cut my exhaust to find out its still loud.

RallyRacer · Feb 16, 2004

I went with Ford Racing short header (stainless, Jet coated, strong welds!) along with the Random Tech high-flow cat (stainless, high-flow design) to remain legal.

I noticed a nice power increase with this setup

and it sounds perrrrrrrrrfect with my Borla exhaust (not too loud and nice deep tone).
Two advantages of the shorty/high-flow setup are emissions legal and not too loud where the race header will move your power band and give you an extra 5hp or so.

Something to think about.

Nells · Feb 16, 2004

what's the difference between a shorty header and a race header? Is a shorty another name for street?

RallyRacer · Feb 16, 2004

shorty header oops!

I meant STREET HEADER.

p_townZX3 · Feb 16, 2004

shorty header oops!

I meant STREET HEADER.

Same thing.

Jsh1284 · Feb 16, 2004

Well, that give me something to think about before I buy. I just got a price on the whole modded SVT exhaust setup, and its not TOO bad. I'll probably just end up going with that or a shorty, high-flow cat, and a Trubendz flowmaster setup.

I'll keep you're RH in mind though (you never know.. I have a tendency to become impulsive)

Phillip · Feb 17, 2004

Oh well.. maybe I'll go with a different setup. I don't like excessive pollution anyways

.. have you heard of anyone using the Focus Central cat?

If you want a nice, simple, easy to install "air friendly" system buy the SVT header, SVT cat, SVT flex and pick whatever flex-back you want.... depending on your taste in volume and sound.

I have the SVT header, no cat (but I'll be buying the SVT cat and flex soon) homebuilt ORP, stock flex and HKS flex-back. Car is very quiet and sounds wonderful.

blueovalbaboon · Feb 17, 2004

SVT header gains are pretty similar to an actual race header aren't they?

Phillip · Feb 17, 2004

I'm *guessing* the SVT header may have stronger bottom... mine pulls from shy of 3000 to fuel cut-off VERY smooth. It has HUGE primaries. IMO, there are two BIG advantages with it... First is price. Second is sound. It's the sweetest sounding thing. No other Focus with header/catback sounds like it (IMO). The FC and FS with Borla sound nice (only other systems I've heard)...but pretty loud. Plus they ROAR when you get on it. Maybe it's because of the HKS..

Ult says it was an ear-bleeder...with the MBRP (is that right) and no cat. Mine's not much more than a stock Focus. When you get on it, the tone changes a lot. But it nevers get loud. Very strange.

01yellazx3 · Feb 17, 2004

I may be way off, especially since I don't have an aftermarket header....but don't you have to do some modifications to make the SVT header bolt up correctly?

I don't really know, just seems like I read that on here before...anyway any answers would be appreciated, as I'm also interested in the SVT header. Thanks.

Race vs. Street headers

Jsh1284

UltegraSTI

Jsh1284

UltegraSTI

Jsh1284

Predator

1fastfocus

methknome

speedy_zx3

split_S

1fastfocus

RallyRacer

Nells

RallyRacer

p_townZX3

Jsh1284

Phillip

blueovalbaboon

Phillip

01yellazx3

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