I am considering putting headers on my 87 R30. Im looking for some experience with headers and the proper way to use an O2 sensor (what sensor, where to locate the sensor, and does it work well). Ive seen so many old trucks that run terrible. Mine runs perfectly and I dont want to mess it up. I still have a 3” factory Y pipe (single exhaust) that i want to convert to duals. So, who’s done it successfully?
From my understanding, headers will not improve the performance of the engine on their own. Headers only allow the potential for other performance upgrades to be utilized in the most effective way. For example:
(These numbers are not precise, they are just to illustrate a concept)
Stock engine with OEM manifolds - performance: 10.00 baseline
Stock engine with headers - performance: 10.05 No appreciable difference
Modified engine with OEM manifolds - performance: 13.20 very nice
Modified engine with headers - performance: 13.80 Ideal
The stock manifolds allow enough free flow of the exhaust to be sufficient for s stock engine, so increasing the flow wont help unless you increase the amount of engine performance to utilize that extra flow. For example, if you bored it way out or made it a stroker, modified for very high RPM, installed forced induction etc.
Its kinda like installing a speedometer that goes up to 500 MPH. If there are no other mods made to a car, then the upgraded speedometer is nice and fancy, but is not actually of any use.
I could be wrong, but that's my understanding of it.
Most manufacturers spend millions to get the more power and efficiency, so if its something really simple and easy to do - they would have already done it. The Mythbusters TV show did a lot of experiments on this kinda thing.
Obviously companies that manufacture headers will disagree and say that all engines will perform WAY better with their specific design of headers, and maybe they are correct. Or maybe they just want to sell headers.