Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance MSDS Headers and Y-pipe...performance?

I'm interested in this setup. MSDS's Web site claims minimum of 14 % HP increase.

Anybody do this mod and have dyno info to verify this? Interested in anybody's impression who has done this mod.

Thanks in advance.

Did I read correctly that it includes the y-pipe? Is this the same type of pipe as the Sho y-pipe? If it is, then I might hold of and get this setup. Also, what if you run the Vortech spec headers without Vortech? I am thinking I might do a supercharger down the road.

Vortech spec MSDS Headers are available, you will have to remove the SVT "sandwich" oil cooler though for them to fit. I love mine, still have not has a chance to dyno them, but a very noticeable difference in performance. Y pipe looks identical to the stock one, but like 10-15 pounds lighter.

i.e. not like the SHO shop one...

Allyn48 - I know cawong11 has a lot of experience w/ them. see what he knows.

I've got the MSDS headers(Vortech spec) and y-pipe. I had stock exhaust manifolds and SHO-Shop y-pipe before this set-up. The SHO-Shop y was the original design with built in hi-flow cat. New set-up uses the stock cat. Vehicle is 98evo 0,SVT. Other mods: KKM intake, Pro-Flow 75mm Maf, Borla cat-back. Stock chip.

Dyno results:
Stock- no data
Above mods with sho-shop y (no headers)
max hp 174.0 max tq 154.4

Switch to MSDS headers and y-pipe, stock cat
max hp 179.3 max tq 156.7

As you can see, this is no where near 14% gain! More like 3% @ the wheels over the Sho-Shop y-pipe/cat. May be able to get more with different cat, and a chip burned for these mods will definately help. You might show a much larger gain compared to a stock SVT dyno reading, which is probably where MSDS got their 14% number.
Note: Both runs on same dyno and air temp was maybe 20deg cooler on the header run vs. the first run.
Throttle response is improved with the headers and I have noticed a gain in fuel mileage, but I am disappointed in the hp and tq gains.

Thanks for your very informed reply Randy.

I have an 98 EO also, so I would expect the same results. I figured the 14% gain was a little too good to be true.

Again, thanks

I'd bet my LEFT NUT that your 5HP increase was mostly from the the fact that the headers were tested at a temperature 20 degrees cooler than the other! That makes a huge difference by itself.

warmonger

Just something I would like to add from my recent experiences. I have noticed that if you do not keep a certain amount of backpressure, looks like close to the engine, N/A duratecs lose power instead of gaining power. That is what was seen with our SVT. Installed a super high flow Hermoff converter with the headers and the power dropped off, so much so that I have had all of the additional exhaust work put back to the way it was before we purchased the SVT. That also includes putting back in a slightly less flowing, but high flowing CATCO converter. This SVT actually produced the most torque with a Superchip and all stock cats in place, and with a igh flowing exhaust system.

Just wanted to point out this observation. Therefore, if you can keep a certain amount of backpressure with the MSDS headers, the benefits of the headers should be seen. As a side note, on our OBD-1 Project SE, we saw a 8hp gain and 6lbsft of torque over an already modified engine. That was measured at the wheels. This equates to a 10hp gain at peak for the SE. Please note that the numbers are SAE corrected.

I'm sure it made some difference, but the dyno operator did dial in different correction factor. On the 1st run, air temp was93.7deg, correction factor= 1.06SAE. On the header run, air temp was 76.4deg, correction factor= 1.00SAE

I dont belive this claim. Lets look at this simple equation:

SVT engine rated at 200HP - 20% (drivetrain loss)=160HP

(160)(.14 0r 14%)=22.4HP increase

22.4 increase with just headers on a stock engine. No way!

Now, I can see the torque going up more than the HP. And I think that people(like me) who have Supertrapp setups would benefit greatly from this because we could add or remove baffles to adjust back pressure. Just my opinion.