Is a header a good upgrade?

[Type-Y]

Originally Posted by FunctionSpec

The DC headers are a worthy upgrade. Installed mine last April and I replaced the stock exhaust gasket and manifold gasket while I was at it since I was at 150k. Good midrange to upper gains. Power still falls flat after about 5.5k rpms though. I just have a short ram intake and the exhaust is stock.

When I first installed my short ram intake, it just made a lot of noise trying to pass cars but the Yaris didn't really "move". After installing the headers, the car makes noise and MOVES now. Nothing crazy, but I believe the headers improved drivability? Yeah that's it, drivability. Still slow as sh*t though....

My expectations are definitely realistic. I know it won't ever be fast - just looking for a little more seat of the pants "fast" feel.

Originally Posted by tmontague

Neither header uses the heat shield, it is not necessary and can be removed without issue

Thought I read that the DC used it - even better that its not needed.

Originally Posted by tmontague

True, the headers readily available are not going to produce large gains as you would see in shorty or long tube headers for a v8. The design is similar to oem and it jusrt improves on a few things and therefore changes the power band slightly.

Having run the DC header on my 1nz I can say that there was an improvement more so in the upper ranges of the powerband. It is worthwhile IMO due to the relatively low cost and ease of install, but it is not a large change. For that you would need to run a long tube header (such as that for the 2zr) which involves a much more complicated install ad the midpipe needs to be changed to accomodate this. Currently no company if fabricating a long tube header for the 1nz, although Yawsport out in Cali may potentially be willing to do it with a few changes from their 2zr header they are currently fabricating

The 1nz feels pretty peppy to about 25-30mph to me in city driving (though a little more would definitely be fun) and then feels like it's losing steam after that, so a bit of mid - upper range improvement would be nice.

Originally Posted by SirDigby

Weapon-R: it's tri-y design gives better gains and scavenging at lower rpm. it would come down to where you mostly drive. if you are +70% open highway driving then the 4-1 DC design would be better. if you mostly do city driving; stop-and-go and traffic lights, the 4-2-1 Weapon R will give better performance at the lower RPM

My Driving is 80-90% city driving. I occasionally take it on the expressways, but that is not where this car spends the mamority of its time.