VT V6 extractors question

[vt s]

Ive recently purchased a 98 VT commodore and it already has a stage 2 cam, 2.5in exhaust and hi flow cat but still has stock headers. Im just wodering that would it be worth while buying some aftermarket headers? I know it will give me very small increase in power but that is not my concern im just wondering that will it improve my fuel econmy with the full system?

Thanks

[wrx884]

It will improve on highway driving but not city, u'll actually lose some there.

[vt s]

hmm that might suite me seeing my daily drive to work spends most my tie on the highway..
also one other thing while im here, will the aftermarket headers change the note of my exhaust much, cos atm it is quite deep and just wondering if it would give it that nice crackling sorta sound.. if that makes sense
Thanks

[chargedvx6]

I'd be tipping that whoever had the cam installed also hed headers on there before and removed them before the sale.

A cam inproves the breathing yeah? So to me the next logical progression is the exhaust.

Start from the back to the front if you can't afford it all at once

[vt s]

yea its already got 2 1/2 system so all needed now are the headers. Anyone have any suggestions as to any brands you have brought and experienced? im also tossing up whether to go for the stainless steel or just mild steel, is there that much of a difference? is it worth paying more for the SS?

Thanks

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Extractors will improve your acceleration and top end especially since you have a cam fitted.

The difference between stainless and mild in extractors is not that great as far as price goes, but you are limited on what you can get in stainless. Pacemaker are one of the better ones as they are available in different size primary pipes. As a rule of thumb. the larger the primary the more top end you will get, but you will feel like you lose bottom end, but in fact it only feels like that because the top end is increased. You will have a sharper torque curve and it will extend longer, so it will feel like it only starts accelerating after around 2500 revs.

Personally I wouldn't fit SS as they can be prone to cracking due to not being as flexible as mild. When you decide on what you want let me know, I can do you a good price, depending on where you are too.

[And_ROOS]

Im in Vic looking for a good set of mild extractors for a VT V6 with only exhaust work done. Any recommendations on brands and types for my car before i start hunting?

[vt s]

NAAF thanks for your help, i will probably be going with the mild steel as im not looking to further seriously modify this car as its just a daily atm and dont have any plans for it. What sort of priveam i looking for ms, I LIVE IN SYDNEY?

tHANKS

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

You would be looking at $415 shipped to Sydney for Wildcats.

[dazza33]

So the extractors do they just bolt straight up to the cat converter or is there some cutting and welding/clamping involved?

Cheers, Daz.

[vxcalais_01]

You would be looking at $415 shipped to Sydney for Wildcats.

N.A.A.F, how are the Wildcats ??? They made by genie yeah ? What kind of warranty do they come with ?? I have spoken to a few different exhaust shops here in Melbourne at its seems they have all gone off Pacemaker for some reason ??? How to teh Genie/Wildcat go for quality, eg. rust resistance and so on.....

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

All mild steel extractors will get some surface rust at some stage.

Wildcats are made by Genie, yes. Same warranty, same fitting, just with a different label.

I don't know why some people have gone off Pacemaker, maybe because of the price, they are pushing the cheaper brands as being as good to get a sale. Personally I prefer Pacemaker over most others, but it depends on the application. For pure performance they probably give the best gain, but most street applications it doesn't really matter what you get. There is a really cheap brand at the moment called Tiger, around the $300 mark I think for the VT. Never fitted them so I don't know how they are.

[vxcalais_01]

All mild steel extractors will get some surface rust at some stage.

Wildcats are made by Genie, yes. Same warranty, same fitting, just with a different label.

I don't know why some people have gone off Pacemaker, maybe because of the price, they are pushing the cheaper brands as being as good to get a sale. Personally I prefer Pacemaker over most others, but it depends on the application. For pure performance they probably give the best gain, but most street applications it doesn't really matter what you get. There is a really cheap brand at the moment called Tiger, around the $300 mark I think for the VT. Never fitted them so I don't know how they are.

Good reply. Have you had experience with Advance headers ? On the website they have interesting Dyno Sheets, obviously showing thier gain, but one had pacemaker losing power, and Genie having good gains as well, even though Pacemaker apparently are an offshoot from Genie and so on......

:: Advance Headers - the ultimate in performane and fit ::

The bottom 2 for the Gen3 pretty interesting......

Quick Question, why are Pacemaker and Genie making Tuned length headers for the VX onward and previous ones have Interference for the same motors ???

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

A Dyno will give you the result you are wanting if you are using it for a biased result. It is also about matching the extractors to the car and what the end user expects. Tri Y's have advantages over 4-1's at low RPM but will lose flow as RPM increases.

Pacemaker have been around for a long time, they started gaining prominence when two guys from Genie bought Pacemaker and started redeveloping the product.

Advance obviously don't like Pacemaker.....

The last question, I would say it is about ease of fitment and the fact that 90% of the earlier Commodores only had one cat. Also, as technologies advanced so did the benefit of fitting tuned length extractors. I don't think it is profitable to start making 4-1's for the early girls now as the number of sales wouldn't warrant the cost of production.

[vxcalais_01]

Good point, i had a good quote a while back now on pacies, under $800 for fitted and ceramic coated. Cant seem to get it now when i finally had the dosh...... then again i may go the Genies instead and not too many these days fitting them and might test them out for some comment on here. What are the price diff between Mild steel and Stainless Genies ???