Hear the Exhaust Note

[So Cal Mark]

here's a link to a youtube video/audio of my header/exhaust system. It's a stock 1800; no mods except my complete system

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CnzO6OqJRA

[mdrburchette]

Sounds real good, Mark!

[Newell33]

Hi Mark

Sounds great. If possible, I'd like to hear an "in the cockpit" recording while the car drives down the road and goes through the gears.

Thanks!
Josh

[So Cal Mark]

I'll have to mount the camera on the back of the car, the microphone isn't very strong to record from inside the car.

[wachuko]

Mark,

Asking the question knowing that those are your headers and exhaust system... but pretty sure you tested what was on the market before making your own... I hope you can provide a somewhat odjective answer to a newbie.

First of all, I think the way your headers look is just a work of art.



How do these headers compare to what IAP sells?



I too would like to hear what these sound like on a drive. I am not looking for loud, but for that sweet engine/exhaust note and improving engine performance.

I thought that the only thing needed for a better exhaust than stock was a good collector for all four equal lenght pipes. Seeing how you have design your headers was great, those are so different from what is out there.



I am in the process of looking and buying a Fiat Spider... currently making the list of mods I want to make and an exhaust system is top on my list after validating engine health and normal maintenance items are covered.

So, if you can provide some comparison to what IAP sells, and when you have it, a video with how it sounds from the drivers seat, that would be great.

Thank you for providing such a beautiful alternative to what is out there.

[So Cal Mark]

I've installed some of those IAP headers for customers. First off, the fit is horrible. Expect to spend a full day getting that thing on the car and pointed in the right direction.
The stepper design we use is state of the art; it allows for larger secondary tubing with no loss of low end torque. This permits a much wider operating range with hp/torque increases in all rpm ranges. Our flanges are 1/2" thick and the tubes are welded completely on both inside and outside of the flange. Our nearly vertical collector allows proper fitment for any engine/chassis combo. The head pipe can be slid on to the desired depth for good steering linkage and ground clearance.

For comparison, you might contact Jeff Scheferman. He posts here under sptcoupe. He switched from an IAP header to my unit.

[wachuko]

I've installed some of those IAP headers for customers. First off, the fit is horrible. Expect to spend a full day getting that thing on the car and pointed in the right direction.
The stepper design we use is state of the art; it allows for larger secondary tubing with no loss of low end torque. This permits a much wider operating range with hp/torque increases in all rpm ranges. Our flanges are 1/2" thick and the tubes are welded completely on both inside and outside of the flange. Our nearly vertical collector allows proper fitment for any engine/chassis combo. The head pipe can be slid on to the desired depth for good steering linkage and ground clearance.

For comparison, you might contact Jeff Scheferman. He posts here under sptcoupe. He switched from an IAP header to my unit.

Thank you. I am already sold on yours, only on looks alone. Great to hear the performance aspect behind it is even better. Now I only need the car to place the order.

Do you have a thread with install photos? Is this a bolt on solution or is there welding involved?

[So Cal Mark]

I have printed instructions. A video is in the works. It's completely bolt on from the header to the muffler; no welding required.

[sptcoupe]

I don't know how many highly built engines I have had in my cars over the years. In fact, I think all but three of my motors have been highly modified, and all have had headers from the various suppliers that have traditionally made them available. Some have been better than others in terms of fitment, performance boost, etc, and none have been bad, but to be honest, most produce fairly modest gains that you often can really only measure on the dyno. They are a help, and the more modified the engine, the better the boost in performance, so I am not saying you shouldn't fit one as an essential part of your performance mods. After having done all the other work, you would be silly not to, and they will all improve performance over the stock versions (except perhaps the 60's/early 70s factory headers, which were pretty damn good).

Mark's header is the only one that I have not needed a dyno to feel the difference in performance. You can feel the torque and acceleration improvements in the seat of your pants, big time, and see the additional 4-500 rpms at the top, where it is not just making noise, but still making HP. I once had a passenger with me who described third gear in the coupe as "relentless". On the last dyno run of the coupe's new engine (now back out of the car for more work), and before it was properly dialed in, it made over 144 lbs of torque fairly well down on the rpm curve. I don't have the chart with me to give you the exact figures and rpm point, but it really did surprise everyone given the cam profiles, etc, of this particular engine.

And they have continued to improve the quality and manufacturing processes. Well worth saving the extra bucks to maximize the benefit from all the other mods you have done to make the engine breath deeper.

BTW, I think I am going to just sell the chromed header I took off the coupe's 1800. This is the VAS version.

[wachuko]

I have printed instructions. A video is in the works. It's completely bolt on from the header to the muffler; no welding required.

Excellent. Like I wrote, as soon as I get the car this will be my first mod (after a normal swap of wear items like hoses, belts, plugs, etc. ).

Do you also do the ceramic coating as an option as well?

[wachuko]

Thank you for the additional comments. The cars I was going to see Sunday were sold. Calling two more owners this afternoon to see if their cars are still available and drive to look at them. If I get a carburated car I want to also do the dual carb setup with the new manifolds. I just heard the sound on the video of the manifolds and the combination of carbs with that exhaust is the sound I would like.

Thanks again,
Jaime

I don't know how many highly built engines I have had in my cars over the years. In fact, I think all but three of my motors have been highly modified, and all have had headers from the various suppliers that have traditionally made them available. Some have been better than others in terms of fitment, performance boost, etc, and none have been bad, but to be honest, most produce fairly modest gains that you often can really only measure on the dyno. They are a help, and the more modified the engine, the better the boost in performance, so I am not saying you shouldn't fit one as an essential part of your performance mods. After having done all the other work, you would be silly not to, and they will all improve performance over the stock versions (except perhaps the 60's/early 70s factory headers, which were pretty damn good).

Mark's header is the only one that I have not needed a dyno to feel the difference in performance. You can feel the torque and acceleration improvements in the seat of your pants, big time, and see the additional 4-500 rpms at the top, where it is not just making noise, but still making HP. I once had a passenger with me who described third gear in the coupe as "relentless". On the last dyno run of the coupe's new engine (now back out of the car for more work), and before it was properly dialed in, it made over 144 lbs of torque fairly well down on the rpm curve. I don't have the chart with me to give you the exact figures and rpm point, but it really did surprise everyone given the cam profiles, etc, of this particular engine.

And they have continued to improve the quality and manufacturing processes. Well worth saving the extra bucks to maximize the benefit from all the other mods you have done to make the engine breath deeper.

BTW, I think I am going to just sell the chromed header I took off the coupe's 1800. This is the VAS version.

[wachuko]

A quick visit to your ebay store answered my last question:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FIAT-124 ... ccessories

[So Cal Mark]

we ceramic coat the header, all tubing and brackets for the system. You could opt out of the coating to reduce the cost but it sure is nice

[So Cal Mark]

I followed Jack in his 75 Spider today, so here is a short video. With background noise and the exhaust from my own Spider, it's not the best quality but will give you an idea of exhaust note under load. Jack's car is a stock 1800 with my header/exhaust and the new dual IDF manifold and carbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Er1HRZlLn8