Downpipe vs header: I bet not everyone can tell their differences.
Cars are complicated machines consisting of various details.
Each component is made with a purpose and has its pros and cons. My article will give you all the information you need to know about this interesting topic. Scroll down for more!
Downpipe Vs. Header – What Are They?
Downpipe
What Is A Downpipe On A Car?
It is a detail staying downward between the turbine housing and the center muffler to link the turbo with the exhaust system.
Drivers can run their cars with this component stand-alone or combine it with other tunings to make a sport exhaust.
In this case, the downpipes will emit less exhaust back pressure, thus improving performance.
There are two types of aftermarket downpipes: catted and catless. The former is designed with a catalytic converter, whereas the latter is not.
They’re both wider and bigger than the stock one.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- A sportier, louder, and richer sound
- Reduce exhaust back pressure
- Increase torque and horsepower
- More responsive turbo
- Longer lifespan for turbo
- Better fuel efficiency
- A quite cheap price tag
- No CEL (Check Engine Light) once tuned
Cons
- Unpleasant exhaust smell
- Invalid warranty for related parts
- Illegal to drive with it
Header
What Is A Header On A Car?
Headers also belong to the exhaust system and are directly mounted to the head(s).
What are headers for? They are responsible for routing the fumes from the cylinder head through the exhaust valve to the exhaust system.
Aftermarket headers also have two types: long tube headers and short headers.
As their names imply, the difference between long-tube and short-tube headers is the exhaust port pipe’s length. Thus, the back exhaust pressure is also influenced differently.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Decrease back pressure
- Increase horsepower
- Better engine sound
Cons
- Possible louder engine sound
- It can create damage to your engine if the air-to-fuel ratio is changed when installing the detail
- Additional maintenance is needed for extra parts
Downpipes Vs. Headers – What Are The Differences?
The headers are exhaust manifolds that are directly mounted to the engine. Each exhaust port of the head has its own individual pipe.
Meanwhile, the downpipe features catalytic converters and links headers with the cat-back.
Or, sometimes, it runs to the pipe’s section consisting of tips, mufflers, and resonators. Below is my detailed comparison between headers vs. downpipe.
Weight
The two components’ weight varies depending on many factors such as type, materials, etc.
Generally, you can expect a downpipe (Cat converter) weight of around 6.6 lbs and 13.5 lbs for a header.
Sound
The diameter of the aftermarket downpipe is bigger, rendering the sound waves to flow easier without touching surrounding surfaces and being eliminated.
Thus, the modified detail creates a louder and more aggressive sound for your car.
As mentioned above, downpipe has two types: catless and catted. The former is always louder. In exchange for that, it produces a more unpleasant smell.
So, if you want some tuning, I advise you to choose the latter as it can provide the sound you need without undesirable odor and the possibility of failing the emission test.
On the other hand, a header can also improve the sound, but not much louder. Remember, the component is built to enhance the performance, not the sound.
Performance
It’s difficult to say how much horsepower these two aftermarket exhausts can add to your vehicle since they vary depending on the make and model.
Generally, upgraded downpipes made with catalytic converters can gain 10 to 20 horsepower. You can see it when the turbo spools.
The catless downpipe gives an extra 25 hp without tuning and 50 hp with tuning.
Meanwhile, a short header can help increase 3 to 6 horsepower, and the long tube header usually gives 6 to 9 horsepower more (yet, sometimes, it can reach 16hp or 20hp).
Cost
It’s not strange when people need to pay a good amount of money for upgrades. Header and downpipe are not exceptions. You can expect the cost of at least $700 for each detail.
Appearance And Aesthetics
It’s one of the most common reasons many drivers upgrade to have better-looking cars.
Most people think the stock manifold and downpipe don’t look beautiful, and the aftermarket details with polished metal will add a shiny appearance to the engine bay.
Legality
Since catless downpipes produce lots of emissions, it’s illegal in the US.
It also voids the warranty of your car’s downpipe, and depending on the damage inspection, it can make the warranty of your turbo, exhaust, and CATs invalid as well.
If you insist on installing this aftermarket detail, I recommend you go for the catted downpipes. Though it generates less power, you can still pass the emissions test and drive your car legally.
Regarding exhaust headers, they’re mostly illegal in many places.
However, some states may consider the long tube headers if your car has a catalytic converter and other emissions control equipment.
Plus, you need to meet additional requirements.
For example, you can’t make your vehicle louder than some limitations or need to have extra noise abatement measures such as silencers or mufflers.
FAQs
Do Turbo Cars Have Headers?
Yes, there are headers or turbo manifolds on vehicles designed with a turbocharger.
It doesn’t matter what component the car is equipped with; both have the same function and significantly increase the engine’s performance.
What Is The Difference Between Header And Manifold?
Are headers the same as exhaust manifolds? The answer is it’s not really. The manifolds are standard components on most cars, while headers refer to aftermarket products.
They are usually thinner, longer, and applied to boost the engine’s power.
The Bottom Lines
Downpipe vs. header are the two components most enthusiasts want to modify to improve the engine’s performance.
It’s because the increased exhaust flow can improve the horsepower as well.
Since these two modifications are not the same, they can bring different power gains for your car.
Depending on the specific situation, which component between these two you should upgrade is also a question.
Thus, I advise bringing your vehicle to a professional service for better consultation.