[smurfy]

I'd like some comments on whether or not a header set produces enough extra grunt to justify the cost. Some say the Miata exhaust system is pretty good left alone. I know the money (? $450 or so) could be used in other (more effective ?) ways.
Thanks,
Buzz (Smurfy)

 

[acedeuce802]

What year do you have? I can update this thread in a few weeks, as I'll be installing my Jackson Racing header, Roadstersport mid-pipe, and Roadstersport3 muffler on my 1999.

There's lots of threads out there about this. From what I gathered, it's only worth it if you do the full intake, header, and exhaust. Making the header more free flowing without freeing the exhaust doesn't yield much benefit. Now it's up to you whether or not $700-1000 is worth the extra 15-25 hp bump you'll get.

 

[reversecaoboy]

I got an ebay header on my car. Butt dyno says it feels better above 4000 RPM. how much better I don't know, but it made me happy for the $90 spent.

 

[whitebeau]

seriously, not much gain on any header. it's their but you'll be happier with a lightweight flywheel imo. If you plan to boost, it's a good prep item to get off the list.

 

[Conundrum]

seriously, not much gain on any header. it's there but you'll be happier with a lightweight flywheel imo. If you plan to boost, it's a good prep item to get off the list.

ftfy, +1 on the flywheel I got a 10lbs flywheel on recently and love it :mrgreen:
I'm curious about the Jackson Racing on a 1.6L. I want one but not if there is no real difference besides noise. How much noisier does having a header make an NA?

 

[320icar]

i have a custom 2.5" intake, raceland headers, 2.5" test pipe and corksport drift catback. i recently needed to swap over the stock exhaust (kept headers) and noticed a big difference in higher rpm gaining.

the butt dyno does show quite a big difference with a proper intake and full exhaust. im running a 1990 1.6L. but that stock system had much room for improvement. most noted in the intake. unlike the 1.8L, the oem plastic intake has random contractions and extra tubing like a 2 stroke exhaust. but the oem headers seem pretty legit.

 

[ThePass]

Headers, Worth It?

No.

$450 for what? A few more whp? You don't feel that. If someone says they could tell a difference it's because they could hear the difference - i.e. more noise - the rest is all placebo effect.

$450 for 5whp (and that's being really optimistic) is $90 for every 1 whp. That's atrocious.

A person could easily spend $1000 (that's like 1/3rd the cost of the whole car) and have a car that's virtually no different in terms of accelleration or horsepower than a stock miata.

Edit: I'll explain why $90/1whp is a terrible rate:
$1000 for a basic supercharger or turbo kit for ~145 whp: ~$22 / 1 whp
$3500 for my turbo setup (this includes everything else done to support it - ECU, Torsen, etc.) ~$31 / 1 whp


-Ryan

 

[spitefulcheerio]

On my 2001 with an eBay header, custom 2.25" exhaust and custom intake with a heat shield box I noticed a difference but only with all 3 done. I want to stay N/A so thats the only reason I spent the $450 ($100 header, $250 catback, $100 intake)

Lets say I made 15-20 HP off of these mods.......thats still $22-30 / 1 HP. And thats only if I made that much power! My 1.8 VVT motor responds better to mods overall than a 1.6. Of course you could get an rx-7 AFM and bump the power a little (5 HP for $50 shipped) on top of I/H/E. You could also remove AC and PS which will let the motor rev easier and net you a total of 1 or maybe 2 HP.

Start pulling weight on top of that and your power to weight ratio gets even better!

 

[MadVillain]

after market headers are not cost effective.

lol maybe a SLIGHT difference in your power curve.

if you want to be flashy, sure. just dont break the bank.

I wouldnt even bother.

 

[maykelcj]

With all that, you are lucky if you make 7hp on the 1.6 and it seems optimistic on the 1.8... So, no. Not worth it.

 

[reversecaoboy]

They sure look damn pretty.

 

[ThePass]

It's all a perspective thing. I would never waste a single dollar on naturally aspirated mods for my '99 because in my eyes it's a waste. If I wanted more power while keeping it my streetable daily, I'd do a low-boost supercharger. (Not that I'm going to because it's OBDII so F that).

 

[skynyrd006]

I feel it's worth it on a '99-'00. The factory manifold is a hunk of cast iron which weighs a ton and flows horribly. '01 and up miatas have great factory headers.

 

[sw96]

I'm planning to buy racingbeat header, midpipe, and muffler soon. I figure it will sound and look a lot better than my current stock exhaust w/ bossfrog testpipe and should be good for a few extra whp when I eventually get some kind of engine management and a supercharger.

 

[JerryMouse4U]

I'm planning to buy racingbeat header, midpipe, and muffler soon. I figure it will sound and look a lot better than my current stock exhaust w/ bossfrog testpipe and should be good for a few extra whp when I eventually get some kind of engine management and a supercharger.

If your planning of running a supercharger in the future don't bother with a Racing Beat header unless your buying a FFS cold side or Rotorex supercharger. The Racing Beat headers don't fit hot side superchargers.

 

[JerryMouse4U]

I feel it's worth it on a '99-'00. The factory manifold is a hunk of cast iron which weighs a ton and flows horribly. '01 and up miatas have great factory headers.

No kidding, Im dumping that block of metal and upgrading my exhaust sytem with a Cobalt header.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Some of us have headers (technically "header" not "headers") because we compete in motorsports classes which don't allow FI. And if you have a 99-00 car, the cast iron lump can be VASTLY improved.

 

[freshbuzz]

I want to see dyno charts that prove a 15 hp increase swapping only exhaust in a miata

 

[J.Lupe]

I have the racing beat 4-1 header, racing beat race connecting pipe and the racing beat power pulse muffler on my 99 and I feel it's a bit spunkier, I mean it sounds great and pulls a tad harder in the upper rpm's....but not too much, it def does look sweet though going from that terrible and asthmatic hunk of metal to the nice 4-1 especially when it's in the gold/bluish phase...lol

 

[MXN5TER]

I feel that heading in the direction of racing beat equipment will benefit my '00 since I have no plans to boost it ANY time soon.


2000 Brilliant Black