Guys,
Every once in a while I have to say something about popular notions
concerning bolt-on performance products. A good overall principle to
remember is that there is no such thing as a car having a deficiency in
after-market bolt-on parts.
A car's ability to perform well is the result of a balanced systematic
approach. The American approach, "bigger is better," is not an appropriate
answer to engine performance. Did you know that the majority of Edelbrock
intake manifolds either degrade performance or do nothing except disable
vacuum and heat activated fuel metering systems? The optimum small-block
Chevy exhaust systems uses smaller than stock tubes of uneven lengths and a
heavy wrap of heat retaining insulation. Most motorcyle engines require
restrictive exhaust systems. Even straight-line muscle cars shouldn't
directly dump exhaust gases (except for show).
Why spend $550 to buy a questionable 'performance' part that disables
your
heat riser, makes cold running rougher and longer lasting, makes your
engine block inaccessible from the standing position, and rusts out in a
predictable schedule?
Think what spending $550 in small parts and time with your local "super
tuner" could do. (Look to the people who race Z's. Their teams get much
more sponsor support than SPL's and they often own foreign car performance
businesses.) It would be well worth the money in acquired knowledge,
especially if you were able to develop a systematic approach to further
performance enhancements.
Wanna go fast? Nothing flies like a Duc.
Quietly passing,
Ken Spurling
1.6L
At 11:01 AM 1/10/01 -0800, you wrote:
>listing the headers in order of performance from least to best
>after market 1 1/2 " tube header 225.00 or less
>stock header 550.00 est
>tuned 1 3/4 " equal runners header 600.00+
>
>Mike Kerr
>Roadster Restoration
>PH# 530-644-6777
>Fax # 530-644-7252
>Web page WWW.innercite.com/~wolfgang
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <jon_wissler@pngc.com>
>To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 7:28 AM
>Subject: Header Discussion
>
>
>> Once again proving my blissfull ignorance, I believed that the
>> Roadster came equipped either with a standard exhaust manifold OR a
>> header. My 69 2L has a header, which I once again assumed to be stock
>> from the factory. I have seen other 69 2L's that appeared to have what I
>> would call a "standard" exhaust manifold. That being the case, did they
>> in fact come from the factory with headers? If so, are these a decent
>> header? Are there other aftermarket headers out there, or do you have to
>> have one custom made at an exhaust specialty shop? As always, I apreciate
>> the collective knowledge of the list in advance.
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