I'm absolutely insane for getting into this discussion, but...I need a distraction today (it's raining, my tune is in
, and I've been driving all morning) and, other than working out, thinking about modding cars is the healthiest.
First of all, let me get this straight - our choices of combinations when it comes to headers are:
1) Catless headers (e.g. AA), retaining the secondaries
2) Catless headers, removing the secondaries
3) Catted headers (e.g. AFE), retaining the secondaries
4) Catted headers, removing the secondaries.
Not to jack the thread, but here are some questions (say in a car with 3 stage manifold conversion, Euro airbox, PE and AA tune):
a) Clearly, #2 would yield the most power, right? But by how much over #s 1, 3 and 4?
b) How much less power than the others would you get if you chose #3? In other words, is this a horrible choice if you're looking for some noticeable gains?
c) If you have the PE and you're
already concerned about the sound it makes, should
any of these even be considered without plans to modify the PE, such as put in a resonator (e.g. Vibrant) or a small race muffler (e.g. Borla) where the straight midpipe is?
d) If smell
is a concern (e.g. you have a convertible), is #1 still an option or is #3 really the only choice?
Thanks! Talk amongst yourselves.