Stillen Headers installed - Review/Pics/Vid/Dyno

RCZ · 04-22-2009, 07:27 PM

You know... I want to get them installed just to see the results of the full stillen setup....also chances are that the tuning will benefit a lot from the headers....

semtex · 04-22-2009, 08:43 PM

I already stated how much driving I did after the header installation in a previous reply to RCZ (see pg 2), and the afr is shown on the first Dyno Dynamics sheet from this morning. I did not wrap the headers to cure whatever you said about catalyst warm up time. I wrapped the headers to increase their efficiency and reduce heat in the engine bay. I've used parts from both Stillen and JWT, and IMO they both make quality parts.

bboypuertoroc · 04-22-2009, 08:46 PM

Looks like you're making great power with just the typical bolt-ons.

I'm sure you'll make better gains with the headers on after a tune than without them.

RCZ · 04-22-2009, 10:50 PM

Did you guys chuckle a little too or was it just plain annoying? It was both for me.

travisjb · 04-22-2009, 10:54 PM

both

RCZ · 04-22-2009, 11:58 PM

no thats not it.

tbonesteak · 04-23-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

oH, yeah, how the heck did I miss that? It was hard to see the afr but it looks like its in the right area. Whats your opinion on the "piggy back" trimming? Too much of a hack job? Rather tune ecu itself im guessing? its understandable...the z is not some cheap honda I know. I know some people probably laughed or sneered when I mentioned that.

easy there. since when are hondas cheap? cheap in what way? stop generalizing; thats what ricers do. as enthusiasts, learn to respect other cars for the credit they deserve.

RCZ · 04-23-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

easy there. since when are hondas cheap? cheap in what way? stop generalizing; thats what ricers do. as enthusiasts, learn to respect other cars for the credit they deserve.

+1

LiquidZ · 04-23-2009, 08:47 AM

Back in my Mustang days, gains from long tube headers were not realized until the car was retuned for them. Granted, you did get some power from bolting them on, but a tune really woke them up. Now, the Stillen units are not what I call long tubes, but they are equal length at least.

When tunes become available, I believe we will see more gains.

semtex · 04-23-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMJane_Again

Thanks for the external vids, Semtex! That second graph was about as linear as it gets for whp. Even though the headers aren't quite where you wanted them, what is your impression of your setup as it stands?

S.

I like it. I'd prefer the exhaust to be a little throatier sounding, but it's not bad as it is. It stays quiet until you step on it. I suspect that most people think this is actually a good thing, but I guess I'd just like a little louder all throughout the band. It was throatier sounding and louder in the low to mid range with the stock headers. I'm eager to get a dyno tune though. I suspect that as much gain as the car as made, there's still a good chunk of untapped potential. The UD pulley goes on next, then a tune.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesse

oH, yeah, how the heck did I miss that? It was hard to see the afr but it looks like its in the right area. Whats your opinion on the "piggy back" trimming? Too much of a hack job? Rather tune ecu itself im guessing? its understandable...the z is not some cheap honda I know. I know some people probably laughed or sneered when I mentioned that.

I'm not sure I'd call piggyback units a 'hack job'. I think it just depends on the quality of the unit. I do prefer ECU reflashes though. They just seem 'cleaner' to me, if that makes any sense. But ECU tuning is definitely not my area of expertise. In fact, looking at the AFR data, I noticed that the line slopes downward as rpm increases. Does that mean it's getting leaner as rpm climbs? Or richer?

LiquidZ · 04-23-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

I'm not sure I'd call piggyback units a 'hack job'. I think it just depends on the quality of the unit. I do prefer ECU reflashes though. They just seem 'cleaner' to me, if that makes any sense. But ECU tuning is definitely not my area of expertise. In fact, looking at the AFR data, I noticed that the line slopes downward as rpm increases. Does that mean it's getting leaner as rpm climbs? Or richer?

Getting richer.

semtex · 04-23-2009, 09:46 AM

Sharif used a sniffer in the tailpipe.

t-ray · 04-23-2009, 10:46 AM

Semtex, these results do not surprise me in the least. They are very similar to my own experiences.

My revup had the oil consumption issue, and was replaced under warranty. While the engine was out, I bought some headers, and the dealer agreed to put them on for me while the engine was out of the car - for free. After breaking in the new motor, I was surprised that I didn't notice any gain(seat of the pants).

I then dynod, and even with the headers, the new motor was making ~10hp/10tq less throughout the whole rpm range versus my old motor. It took the utec and a tune to regain the lost power.

I don't know if it was just a difference in motors, or the addition of the headers, but the headers definitely hurt the driving experience of the car. I don't care for the sound(and I have test pipes). I lost quite a bit of low-end torque, and that combined with my lightweight flyweel, really took the balls out of the car. I'm just glad I didn't spend any time or money on the installation.

NIZMOZ · 04-23-2009, 11:11 AM

Sadly headers on the 3.5L since the HR came out has been a waste of money as the stock ones are already pretty efficient. I wasn't expecting to see much gain at all. Dynojets are the ones to believe over the other dynos as they are the most accurate.

semtex · 04-23-2009, 11:23 AM

Well, I think the real question is what happens when tuning enters the equation. Would I make more power with the stock headers and a tune? Or with the Stillen headers and a tune? Tuning could change everything. There could be gains to be had from tuning with the Stillen headers installed that would not be available otherwise (i.e., with the stock headers).

04-22-2009, 08:43 PM	#47 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	I already stated how much driving I did after the header installation in a previous reply to RCZ (see pg 2), and the afr is shown on the first Dyno Dynamics sheet from this morning. I did not wrap the headers to cure whatever you said about catalyst warm up time. I wrapped the headers to increase their efficiency and reduce heat in the engine bay. I've used parts from both Stillen and JWT, and IMO they both make quality parts. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

04-22-2009, 08:46 PM	#48 (permalink)
bboypuertoroc Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Get out my way pimpin, HI Posts: 419 Drives: '06 Evo IX GSR Rep Power: 389	Looks like you're making great power with just the typical bolt-ons. I'm sure you'll make better gains with the headers on after a tune than without them. __________________ Evo IX GSR - FPBlack, 30psi... 10's on pump? Let's find out...

04-23-2009, 08:47 AM	#54 (permalink)
LiquidZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,940 Drives: Mag. Black 2009 370Z Rep Power: 705	Back in my Mustang days, gains from long tube headers were not realized until the car was retuned for them. Granted, you did get some power from bolting them on, but a tune really woke them up. Now, the Stillen units are not what I call long tubes, but they are equal length at least. When tunes become available, I believe we will see more gains. __________________

04-23-2009, 09:46 AM	#57 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Sharif used a sniffer in the tailpipe. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

04-23-2009, 11:11 AM	#59 (permalink)
NIZMOZ Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 634 Drives: 07 NISMO 350Z SA M6 Rep Power: 491	Sadly headers on the 3.5L since the HR came out has been a waste of money as the stock ones are already pretty efficient. I wasn't expecting to see much gain at all. Dynojets are the ones to believe over the other dynos as they are the most accurate. __________________ SOLD: 2007 NISMO 350Z #0044 Silver Alloy New DD: 2010 Titan Pro4X CC

04-22-2009, 07:27 PM	#46 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	You know... I want to get them installed just to see the results of the full stillen setup....also chances are that the tuning will benefit a lot from the headers....

04-22-2009, 10:50 PM	#49 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Did you guys chuckle a little too or was it just plain annoying? It was both for me.

04-22-2009, 10:54 PM	#50 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	both

04-22-2009, 11:58 PM	#51 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	no thats not it.

04-23-2009, 10:46 AM	#58 (permalink)
t-ray Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: bham al Posts: 91 Drives: 05 g sedan 6mt Rep Power: 16	Semtex, these results do not surprise me in the least. They are very similar to my own experiences. My revup had the oil consumption issue, and was replaced under warranty. While the engine was out, I bought some headers, and the dealer agreed to put them on for me while the engine was out of the car - for free. After breaking in the new motor, I was surprised that I didn't notice any gain(seat of the pants). I then dynod, and even with the headers, the new motor was making ~10hp/10tq less throughout the whole rpm range versus my old motor. It took the utec and a tune to regain the lost power. I don't know if it was just a difference in motors, or the addition of the headers, but the headers definitely hurt the driving experience of the car. I don't care for the sound(and I have test pipes). I lost quite a bit of low-end torque, and that combined with my lightweight flyweel, really took the balls out of the car. I'm just glad I didn't spend any time or money on the installation.

04-23-2009, 11:23 AM	#60 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	Well, I think the real question is what happens when tuning enters the equation. Would I make more power with the stock headers and a tune? Or with the Stillen headers and a tune? Tuning could change everything. There could be gains to be had from tuning with the Stillen headers installed that would not be available otherwise (i.e., with the stock headers). __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

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