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Best header on the market?

Old 12-07-2014, 10:42 PM
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Default Best header on the market?

Got the crack in my stock header. Is there a reasonably priced header on the market or should I just go with OE? Thanks in advanced for everybody's input.
Old 12-08-2014, 01:32 AM
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To me the best is jba http://www.quadratec.com/products/17601_151X_PG.htm They have been making headers for everything for years.They use a nice thick collector flange so it won't crack or warp over time.
Old 12-08-2014, 07:57 AM
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Your post "Best header on the market" is easy to answer Borla or Banks headers both are good, but I lean toward the Banks. I'm not saw the the header Andrew pointed out but doesn't look that bad.

Then your follow up text about price points to an "APN" header not the best quality and several fitment issues with them, before they are ever mounted.

Last edited by Fred/N0AZZ; 12-08-2014 at 08:02 AM.
Old 12-08-2014, 09:40 AM
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I just picked up these Gibson headers, stainless steel ceramic coated...fitment was awesome, and they are excellent quality. Very well made, much better than the stock manifold. It will be a bit before I am able to fire it up, but will post results when that happens. Oh, and they're 50 state legal.
Best header on the market?-20141207_114641c-r.jpg

Best header on the market?-20141207_123327c-r.jpg

I got them for around the same price as the ones andrew posted, and those are straight stainless steel. Curious about the JBA titanium ceramic coated, though, but that's alot of coin, LOL

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Old 12-08-2014, 10:06 AM
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From personal experience, I would advise against banks. I've gone through two sets. They took back both because they have a life time warranty but that doesn't cover my time spent replacing them obviously. Each set I got was a new design. The most current one has last about 7k miles and looks to be holding strong. I had one set last under 3k miles. All of them cracked at the collection point.
Old 12-08-2014, 10:22 AM
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I just bought everything I need for exhaust through rock auto. sure it's not a pretty looking set up, I just need to pass smog!

header, downpipe, new hardware, hanger, etc. was $220 shipped. the header itself was $135. it's not that shiny but it fits perfect. now I can go on with my day

DORMAN Part # 674196

Last edited by Atmos; 12-08-2014 at 10:25 AM.
Old 12-08-2014, 11:08 AM
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I did a bunch of looking around for your same exact question. From what I read basically atp(apn) and banks are the same header, one is just significantly more because it has the banks name on it. People have had just as many fitment issues with banks headers as APN. You also have to consider that an aftermarket part may always require some modification to make it work. The cheapest and easiest is oem replacement. Next on the list would either be APN or Dorman.
Old 12-08-2014, 11:43 AM
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I've only heard of fitment issues with APN/ATP. I bought an APN and ended up trading it for a skid plate because the fitment with the 99+ intake was just flat out wrong.

That Gibson looks nice! There's one one CL for pretty cheap near me. Might pick it up. roninofako, is that a 99+ intake manifold? Looks like it, just can't tell for sure.
Old 12-08-2014, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Atmos
I just bought everything I need for exhaust through rock auto. sure it's not a pretty looking set up, I just need to pass smog!

header, downpipe, new hardware, hanger, etc. was $220 shipped. the header itself was $135. it's not that shiny but it fits perfect. now I can go on with my day

DORMAN Part # 674196
To be fair though, that isn't a true header, just a manifold. That said, it is what is currently on my jeep. Works great for a stock engine, and I have no complaints about it. However the stroker motor I want it to breathe a little better so I went with the Gibson.
Originally Posted by Battle
I've only heard of fitment issues with APN/ATP. I bought an APN and ended up trading it for a skid plate because the fitment with the 99+ intake was just flat out wrong.

That Gibson looks nice! There's one one CL for pretty cheap near me. Might pick it up. roninofako, is that a 99+ intake manifold? Looks like it, just can't tell for sure.
I believe it's a 97. It was on the motor when I bought it.
Old 12-08-2014, 12:45 PM
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Those gibson one's look good and they're priced right they're also offering a 75 dollar rebate till the 31st of January. So it comes out to around 292. I know what I'm ordering.

Best header on the market?-screenshot_2014-12-08-10-42-47.png
Old 12-08-2014, 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by roninofako
To be fair though, that isn't a true header, just a manifold. That said, it is what is currently on my jeep. Works great for a stock engine, and I have no complaints about it. However the stroker motor I want it to breathe a little better so I went with the Gibson.
the difference being that a header goes from 3-2-1 or 6-1 and a manifold does not? or? whats the distinction

never knew there was a difference in terminology lol. I'll get a real header when I stroke mine out too. but until then, cheap for me
Old 12-08-2014, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Atmos
the difference being that a header goes from 3-2-1 or 6-1 and a manifold does not? or? whats the distinction

never knew there was a difference in terminology lol. I'll get a real header when I stroke mine out too. but until then, cheap for me
This explains it fairly well...
http://m.1aauto.com/content/articles...lds-vs-headers
Old 12-08-2014, 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by roninofako
sweet! I chose wisely for my purposes. good little read thanks for sharing
Old 12-08-2014, 02:48 PM
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I just ordered a APN header but got an ATP in the mail. Are they the same?
Old 12-08-2014, 02:51 PM
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i have an apn and it sucks, leaks like a **** and had to do some grinding to get it to fit even with the stock 96 intake. replaceing it with a borla long tube header soon

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