Thread: Headers, headers, headers

My last few header installs have involved the SSAC-type. Then a couple days ago, I went back to an old Hot Shot header because the SSAC that I was running blew out the flex pipe.

What a joy to install that HS header. It actually fit! The EGR connection was like butter. No wrestling, sweating or swearing. Just a little care, loosening (not removing) the 2 bolts where the brass tube connects to the intake, and the EGR fitting threaded into the header fitting with finger pressure. I had forgotten how easy it was to install the HS. Another way of saying that is that I had never appreciated what a PITA the SSAC installation is. It had become my norm.

On a related note, I was scanning Ebay for an SR20DE header and, among all the SSAC-types, I saw one that looks different -

251.2583 CHROME STEEL HEADER NISSAN SENTRA SR20DE: eBay Motors (item 400161495110 end time Nov-05-10 12:11:32 PDT)

This design looks more like the Topspeed header that has popped up every once in a while. Has anyone had any experience with this one?

Oh yea, do the SSAC headers still have issues with leaking at the EGR fitting due to a flaw in the construction/design?

It's a shame that HS went out of business. I have a new appreciation for their header.

Bill

I have had both on my car AND Dynoed with the headers being the only difference. The topseed did generate a slightly bit more total torque. BUT the torque curve was very short with the topspeed and while the hotshot hept on rolling up on the power out to 6500 the topseed pretty much fell on it's face past 5500

I have a gen 5 hotshot and I recall the largest diameter of the secondary being 2 inch. wouldn't that choke you VVL allot ?

Hi Ed,

I was messing with my DE (different car -- I am a serial SE-R owner). The HS goes on the VE, and I swap out my Fuji for the HS to pass emissions by hooking up the AIV apparatus. The VE intake manifold has no provision for EGR, but the AIV makes a world of difference for emissions testing.

But anyway, this latest adventure was with a DE engine. And, I could be wrong, but the Gen 5 had a 2.5" secondary, I thought.

Finally, I agree with you totally about the power characteristics of the Top Speed header. It pulls like a mule in the mid-range but not so good up top. My question was whether anybody has any experience with the header on Ebay that is reminiscent of the Top Speed header. Here is a pretty dramatic dyno showing the difference, and the benefit of tuning in your timing advance. http://www.sr20-forum.com/tuning/1644-tuning-saga-love-story-about-man-his-daughterboard-3.html#post281564

Do you agree, Ed, that the one on Ebay looks like the Top Speed? If you recall?

Bill

Absolutely ! that looks exactly like my topspeed

what gen is your HS ? mine was sold new to me by jim wolfe as a Gen 5 and it is only 2 inch ?

Mine is 2" as well -- it's earlier than Gen 5, I bought it slightly used.

The hotshot gen5 had a 2" secondary. The only hotshot that was bigger was the gen6.

Thanks for the confirmation. My memory gets fuzzy.