Best Performance Exhaust Headers of 2025
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Performance exhaust headers are an essential component for any car enthusiast looking to maximize their vehicle’s horsepower and torque. These headers are designed to improve the flow of exhaust gases, allowing for a faster and more efficient exit from the engine. This, in turn, leads to increased power and acceleration. Performance exhaust headers are available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, ceramic-coated steel, and titanium. They are also designed to fit specific makes and models, ensuring a perfect fit and optimal performance. With their ability to enhance a car’s performance, performance exhaust headers are a must-have for any serious car enthusiast.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Performance Exhaust Headers
BBK 4010 Shorty Exhaust Headers for Ford Mustang 4.0L V6
BBK Shorty Headers are designed to boost your Ford Mustang 4.0L V6's performance. Crafted with CNC Mandrel Bent Tubing, they increase airflow by 35% compared to stock headers, adding 10-15 horsepower and enhancing torque. Made with aircraft-quality materials, including heavy gauge tubing and laser-cut flanges, these headers ensure durability. The custom design with large bore collectors and precise welds not only improves performance but also delivers a deeper exhaust sound. Upgrade to BBK Shorty Headers for a power-packed driving experience.
BBK 3515 Shorty Exhaust Headers for Ford F150 And Expedition 4.6L
BBK Shorty Headers are designed to boost your vehicle's performance. With CNC Mandrel Bent Tubing, they increase flow by 35% over stock, adding 10-15 horsepower and enhancing torque. The heavy gauge 1-5/8" tubing and 3/8" laser-cut flanges ensure durability. These headers offer a direct fit replacement with improved performance and sound quality. They are a perfect bolt-on solution for your 1997-2003 Ford F150 and 1997-2002 Expedition 4.6L models.
Flowtech 91628FLT Shorty Headers
The Flowtech Shorty Headers are designed to enhance your vehicle's performance while remaining compliant with 50-State regulations. Made from durable 16-gauge tubing, these headers ensure long-lasting use. The extra thick 3/8” flanges provide a secure, leak-free seal, allowing you to enjoy optimal exhaust flow without the worry of leaks. As a direct fit replacement for factory exhaust manifolds, installation is straightforward and convenient. Additionally, these headers are designed to work with all emission control devices, making them a practical choice for vehicle owners looking to upgrade their exhaust system.
BBK 1511 Shorty Exhaust Headers for Ford Mustang 351W
Upgrade your Ford Mustang 351W with BBK 1511 Shorty Exhaust Headers. Built with CNC Mandrel Bent Tubing, these headers increase airflow and power while providing a custom precision hand and robotic welds for long-lasting quality. The package includes all new gaskets and hardware, and the bolt-on design ensures a perfect fit.
BBK 4007 Shorty Tuned Length Exhaust Headers
BBK Shorty Headers are designed for increased flow, adding horsepower and torque to your vehicle. The CNC mandrel bent tubing enhances performance, while the heavy gauge construction ensures durability. With custom welds and laser-cut flanges, these headers offer long-lasting quality. The direct fit replacement includes gaskets and hardware for easy installation, improving both performance and sound over stock systems.
BBK 4005 Shorty Exhaust Headers
The BBK Shorty Headers are designed to enhance your GM truck or SUV's performance. With CNC mandrel bent tubing, these headers provide up to 35% better exhaust flow compared to stock options, allowing you to gain an additional 10-15 horsepower. The heavy-duty construction features 1-3/4" tubing and robust 3/8" laser-cut flanges, ensuring durability and long-lasting quality. You’ll also appreciate the direct fit replacement design, which simplifies installation by including all necessary gaskets and hardware. This means you can quickly upgrade your vehicle's exhaust system for improved performance and a more aggressive sound.
BBK 40100 Shorty Tuned Length Performance Exhaust Headers for Ford Mustang 4.0L, V6
Upgrade your Ford Mustang 4.0L V6 with the BBK Shorty Headers. Designed and built in the USA, these aftermarket performance exhaust headers offer a range of benefits to enhance your driving experience. With CNC mandrel bent tubing, they provide a 35% increase in flow over stock, resulting in 10-15 extra horsepower and improved torque and performance. The heavy gauge 1-5/8" tubing, laser cut flanges, and large bore patented designed collectors ensure long-lasting quality. These headers are a direct fit replacement, including all new gaskets and hardware, and offer improved performance and sound over restrictive stock systems. Bolt on 8-14 horsepower and enjoy the polished silver ceramic finish of these BBK Shorty Headers.
BBK 4020 Shorty Tuned Length Exhaust Headers
BBK 4020 Shorty Tuned Length Exhaust Headers offer a direct fit replacement exhaust for all 2010-2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2L applications. The headers are built with CNC mandrel bent tubing, 3/8" laser cut flanges, and large bore patented designed collectors for long-lasting quality. They offer 35% increased flow over stock to add 10-15 horsepower and improve torque and performance. The custom nickel chrome finish provides an improved sound and performance over restrictive stock systems.
BBK 15950 Shorty Performance Exhaust Headers for Chevy Impala SS LT1
BBK Shorty Headers are designed for increased performance. They are built with CNC mandrel bent tubing to enhance horsepower and torque. The heavy gauge tubing and laser-cut flanges ensure durability. These headers provide a direct fit replacement, offering improved performance and sound compared to stock systems. Bolt on 10-15 HP with these headers, fitting 1993-1996 Chevrolet Impala Lt1 Ss models.
Flowtech 91834FLT Shorty Headers
The Flowtech Shorty Headers are designed to enhance your vehicle's exhaust system. With a sturdy 16-gauge tubing, these headers ensure durability and long-lasting performance. The extra-thick 3/8” flanges help create a tight, leak-free seal, preventing exhaust leaks that can affect engine efficiency. These headers are a direct fit replacement for factory exhaust manifolds, making installation straightforward and hassle-free. They also accommodate all emission control devices, ensuring compliance with regulations while boosting your vehicle's performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do exhaust headers increase horsepower?
Yes, exhaust headers can increase horsepower and torque. Long tube performance headers tend to provide more significant boosts in the mid-low to mid-high RPM range, making them suitable for both race tracks and street use.
2. What type of headers give the most horsepower?
The type of headers that give the most horsepower depends on the engine's RPM range. Shorty headers deliver better low-to-mid-range torque, while medium and long-tube headers allow an engine to make more horsepower at high RPM. The traditional long-tube headers, known as 4-into-1, offer four primary tubes carefully bent and channeled into one collector.
3. How much horsepower do headers gain?
Performance headers can increase horsepower, but the gains may not be significant. By reducing exhaust back pressure and improving airflow, headers can provide a boost of around 10-20 horsepower when combined with a high-flow exhaust system and mufflers.
4. Are performance headers worth it?
Yes, performance headers are worth considering as an upgrade. They offer a less restrictive system, boosting performance and providing a scavenging effect. This makes them a worthwhile investment for many car owners, especially those looking to improve engine power.
5. Do headers waste more gas?
Headers themselves do not waste more gas. However, some people who install headers tend to drive more enthusiastically, which can result in increased fuel consumption. The mileage improvements from headers are usually slight to nonexistent, as they are primarily focused on enhancing engine power.
6. What are the 4 types of headers?
The four main types of headers for cars are long-tube headers, shorty headers, lakester headers, and tri-y headers. Each type offers its own advantages and characteristics, catering to different performance needs and preferences.
7. What sounds better, short or long headers?
Shorty headers are not as loud as long tube headers, but they provide better sound compared to stock manifolds. For consistent gains in performance, equal length headers are recommended. However, some people prefer unequal length headers for a specific sound.
8. Do headers improve gas mileage?
Headers, when combined with a cat-back system, can improve power, but their impact on fuel mileage is generally minimal. Other components like the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter also play a role in performance and mileage.
9. Are headers worth the money?
Full-length, long-tube headers typically improve torque and power over stock exhaust manifolds. While it is challenging to quantify the exact increase in numbers or percentages, headers are generally worth the investment for those seeking enhanced performance.
During our performance exhaust header research, we found 24 performance exhaust header products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,002 customer reviews through our big data system to write the performance exhaust headers list. We found that most customers choose performance exhaust headers with an average price of $421.77.
The performance exhaust headers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of performance exhaust headers, including BBK, BBK Performance, Flowtech. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.