Author Topic: Source for 1.6L Headers??? (Read 8380 times)

Northboundtrain · « **on:** February 13, 2006, 04:27:19 am »

I'm in the middle of my latest 1.6L NA buildup, and I really want to improve on the stock exhaust manifold. I started trying to fab up some headers out of 1 1/4" black pipe, but it isn't going so well. I could do it, but it will take too long.

So I'm trying to find some aftermarket headers that will fit this engine. So far I've found these:

http://www.1motormart.com/volkswagen~rabbit~headers_year.html

which I think will fit the 1.6 diesel as well, but I'm not certain. Are these a good choice? or is there something better out there?

Thanks

16V-Sauger · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2006, 04:31:33 am »

every header from a 1.8l 8V will fit. that price looks very interesting. try to find one with a felxible part, otherwise they can break very quickly

Northboundtrain · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:14:37 am »

Quote from: "16V-Sauger"

try to find one with a felxible part

Can you explain what part would be flexible exactly?

16V-Sauger · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:35:31 am »

a good header looks like this one:
but a 4-2-1 would be better until you are not revving past 6000 or so

HP · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2006, 07:30:28 am »

what is the difference between header and manifold?! :|

Northboundtrain · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:14:38 am »

How common is it for headers to break? Does this happen because the diesel engine vibrates more than a gasser? Maybe I should go ahead and build them out of black pipe, since that will be thicker than a commercially made set.

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:26:10 am »

a header comes all the way down where the down pipe, where as a manifold just uses a downpipe, or downpipes in some cars cases...

16V-Sauger · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:15:48 am »

Quote from: "Northboundtrain"

How common is it for headers to break? Does this happen because the diesel engine vibrates more than a gasser? Maybe I should go ahead and build them out of black pipe, since that will be thicker than a commercially made set.

headers often even break at a gasser. and it doesn't matter hoe thick your pipes are, they will definately break if there is nothing flexible :cry:

bryanbryan89x · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2006, 09:31:48 am »

I thought diesel engines don't benefit much from gas scavenging, so installing a header will not give you any appreciable power. Also the stock exhaust manifold that is made out of cast iron holds up well to the percussive energy and vibration in the diesel engines. Where as a header that is not braced extremly well, will turn into a pile of cracked and brittle tubing in no time. Also the stock manifold is pretty good a directing flow towards the back of it anyway. I would save my money for improvements in the down piping or air intake....

zyewdall · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2006, 08:09:41 pm »

Quote from: "bryanbryan89x"

Also the stock manifold is pretty good a directing flow towards the back of it anyway.

Seriously? They look pretty boxy to me. I ended up using the stock 1.8 gasser manifold on mine (at the time it was more because it mated the existing exhaust system, rather than thoughts of better flow). I'll let you know if I have any trouble with it breaking. So far so good (with 53 miles on it :wink: ) Yes, I did notice a flexible section on it -- the part that looks like stainless steel braided stuff.

Steve Landeau · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2006, 10:26:22 pm »

Quote from: "HP"

what is the difference between header and manifold?! :|

Headers use identical lengths of tubing for each cylinder exhaust, as opposed to each being dumped into a common chamber.

bryanbryan89x · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:31:57 am »

It is somewhat already set up like a header. Also look at the braces between each exhuast tube. IMO it would be a waste of time fabin' a header for this thing. The power increase is going to be almost negligible. You also in time are gonna end up with a cracked manifold.

Now here for instance is a stock manifold that needs MUCH improvement, off of my jeep cherokee.

See "HP" how all the exhaust tubes go to one single tube. These things crack all the time. If I had a dime for every cracked 4.0 HO manifold I welded up.....

Northboundtrain · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2006, 05:20:36 am »

I've always heard that the stock manifold is really bad. I couldn't tell you why exactly. You're right bryan that it doesn't look as bad as others (I probably should be building headers for my chevy first).

Anyway, I've gone ahead and proceeded with building them myself. They are going to be pretty tough being made of black pipe and weldable elbows instead of much thinner walled tubing. If nothing else, I'm improving my metalworking skills, as this is a challenging project.

I won't have a chance to work on them again for a few weeks, but I'll try and post some pics when they are finished.

HP · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2006, 08:18:48 am »

Trev0rbr and Steve Landeau, thanks for clearing that.