Do Headers Void Warranty?
Ask any car enthusiast about the use and benefits of headers, and many of them will say, “It improves airflow”. If you are one of those people who are curious about how things really work, then that’s not a very helpful answer, isn’t it? Indeed, the world of car modifications is filled with jargon, much more so with aftermarket modifications. And one of the most common aftermarket parts you will likely encounter is the car header. What is it, and how does it help the vehicle? More importantly, do headers void warranty? Here is everything you need to know about headers.
Key Takeaways
• Many vehicle owners install headers on their car to increase horsepower, improve sound, and reduce back pressure from the manifold.
• There are four types of car headers and you must examine each carefully to find the right fit for your vehicle.
• While headers improve horsepower and reduce back pressure, it is an expensive modification and can cause bad emissions.
• While headers do not void warranty, it’s important to know that it can result in changes in the engine performance that manufacturers can use to deny your claim or void warranty coverage for specific parts.
How Do Headers Work?
A car header is essentially an aftermarket component that you install in your car. Thus, your car doesn’t come stock with it.
They are usually comprised of long, thin steel tubes with smooth and gradual bends. Its job is to eliminate back pressure in the manifold. Rather than having a single pipe shared by all cylinders, a header provides an exhaust pipe for each cylinder. All these pipes are interconnected to a bigger pipe called the connector. Each pipe is of the same length, ensuring that exhaust gasses in each cylinder arrive at the collector in an evenly spaced-out sequence, minimizing the risk of back pressure.
In a normal stock setting, the exhaust gas exits the cylinder and enters the exhaust manifold. This is the same with any engine, whether a 4-cylinder or an 8-cylinder; they all use one manifold. Since the exhaust gases from one manifold can build pressure, the manifold becomes the source of back pressure.
Back pressure can cause plenty of detrimental effects, such as:
• Reduced engine efficiency by impairing exhaust flow and impeding new air intake.
• Lower power output by decreasing the engine’s ability to draw full charge of fresh air and fuel, causing incomplete and less effective combustion, thus, reducing torque and horsepower.
• Increase engine wear due to heat buildup, which may lead to overheating and premature damage of exhaust components.
• Increased fuel consumption since the engine has to work harder to eject the exhaust gases and draw in fresh air.
Types of Car Headers
There are four basic types of car headers available as aftermarket modifications right now:
Long-Tube Headers
This is the most basic type of header and is comprised of four primary tubes (for an 8-cylinder engine) that merge into a single collector. It is best for low-end and mid-range torque.
Shorty Headers
As its name suggests, the tubes that merge into a single exhaust pipe are shorter. They are best used for the upper rpm range. Some people prefer this header as it is less noisy than the long-tube header.
Lakester Headers
This type is commonly found in old hot rod cars and is primarily used in dry lake racing.
Tri-Y Headers
As its name suggests, this header comes in a Y-shape, allowing the exhaust from one tube to flow through the “Y” and take from the other tube. This results to higher horsepower and more low-end torque than other headers.
Headers vs Exhaust Manifold: Which Do You Need?
The exhaust manifold and the header pretty much do the same thing – they route exhaust gas out from the engine to the exhaust system. However, there are key differences.
For one, the header creates less back-pressure than the exhaust manifold. This is why the exhaust manifold is usually found in regular performance vehicles, while the header is essentially an upgrade for high-performance cars where maximizing output is the main priority.
Secondly, headers feature long primary tubes of the same length, while the exhaust manifold’s inlets are shorter and more compact, making them suitable for standard vehicles where noise reduction is important for comfort.
Next the material. Headers are usually made from thing-walled stainless steel, while the exhaust manifold is made of cast-iron. This is why exhaust manifolds come with heat shields and headers don’t.
Thus, choosing between the two depends entirely on your preference and what you wish to get from your vehicle. Exhaust manifold offers practicality and comfort, while header improves performance. Obviously, you need to consider the type of vehicle you have as well.
Is exhaust covered under warranty? Make sure to consider this, too, if you are deciding whether to install a header or not.
Pros & Cons of Installing Headers
Pros
• Removes backpressure for better engine performance
• Increased horsepower (adds 10 to 20 units of horsepower)
• They sound better
Cons
• Expensive
• Increase bad emissions
Do Headers Void Warranty?
Short answer: No, headers DO NOT void the warranty.
Long answer:
Headers, like other modifications that improve engine performance, do not automatically void your warranty. It may, however, cause issues with the manufacturer if they can prove that this modification caused the problem, premature wear, or failure in the engine and related components. Thus, before making any modifications, it is best to err on the side of caution and check with your dealer or vehicle’s manufacturer to understand the terms and conditions of your warranty.
