Borla Headers and confusion

[Dennis Myers]

The UPS man (one of my most favorite people delivered my Borla Headers today and like a kid in the candy store I started looking at them. I thought the idea behind headers was all the tubes were the same length so the back pressure was equal in all cylinders, but the length on the Borlas range from 5.25" to 18.0" . Any ideas as to why?



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[S.Matsushige]

Hi Dennis-What Borlas are is called "shorty headers." The ones you are referring to are called "equal length headers." Now the shorty type is the only type that I know of made for Explorers whether the maker is Borla, JBA, MAC or BBKs. The backpressure is reduced by the larger openings obtained by the use of thin walled tubing and smoother inner walls as opposed to the thick walled cast manifold. Now I'm not too sure about your other concern in equalizing the backpressure in all cyclinders. Hopefully someone with more info can add their knowledge. Hope this helps.

 

[DCider]

Dennis,

Like some muffler designs, the headers are "tuned" to help scavenge the exhaust from the cylinders. It is a somewhat complicated art/science to design the headers of unequal legnth and get the sound pressure wave to help create a positive/negative pulses to help "pull" the exhaust out. I don't know all the theory/science behind it, but that is the general theory as I understand it. It is my understanding that just getting "bigger" pipes to reduce the back pressure is not the ticket.

Due to space considerations, manufactures can't easily (or even possibly) create an equal legnth header to fit in the space requirements of modern cars and trucks. It is possible to get a full equal legnth header system for a NASCAR since they design it around the motor and suspension anyway.

I hope this helps.

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David Cider
'92 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L 4Dr 4...

Current Mods:
Hi flo cat and muffler, KKM Air intake, SuperChip, Magnacor wires and AutoLite Double Platnum plugs

Pending Mods:
JBA headers, 4" Suspension Lift, Tires & Wheels

 

[Dennis Myers]

Thanks for the replies and I now have a better understanding. By the way I got the headers through carparts.com and other than a long wait no complaints.

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94 Sport
4" Superlift
Super Runner Steering
Super lift radius arme
Borla Headers and cat back
High Flow Cat
KKM intake
63 mm Throttle Body
70 mm Mass Air Sensor
Ramsey REP 8000
Smitty Built Tubes Front Rear and Nerf

 

[RangerX]

Dennis, when did you place your order, and when did you get the shipment? I still may order a set, the coupon is good till 4-30.

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[S.Matsushige]

Hi Bill-When I ordered my set of Borlas, it took about five days to a week to come by UPS. Carparts will give you a tracking number for UPS when they confirm your order. It came exactly on the day the UPS website said it would arrive. Go for it Bill. Its a good chance to get stainless steel headers at a great price! Do you have the 33% off coupon? I think it was 1357004 - I can't be sure though. Hope this helps.

 

[Dennis Myers]

I ordered my headers on 3/17 and got them on 4/21. Carparts said Borla was late in making them. I would use carparts.com to order more stuff in the future.

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94 Sport
4" Superlift
Super Runner Steering
Super lift radius arms
Borla Headers and cat back
High Flow Cat
KKM intake
63 mm Throttle Body
70 mm Mass Air Sensor
Ramsey REP 8000
Smitty Built Tubes Front Rear and Nerf
BFG 33x12.5 AT's

 

[PunkChild]

You guys are lucky the Borla headers I ordered from carparts weren't available, carparts.com didn't take the time to inform me untill I called to check on them. The Borla cat-back I ordered on 3/17 still hasn't come in, it was scheduled to ship 4/28.

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Jim Ferrarini
Skaman0182@yahoo.com
96 Sport 5-speed
JBA headers
Borla cat-back exhaust
modified airbox
K&N filter
+4 plugs
8.5mm wires
other small mods.
Coming soon:
K&N filter kit

 

[RangerX]

I ordered my headers! The 1/3 off is only up to $300. The headers are 384, and I got 100 off.

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[damon]

Equal length headers are supposed to promote
scavaging or "aspriation" effect. However in
the shorty design the gain effect is near nothing, the tubes just aren't long enough.

Plus equal length headers are a pain to install and looking at my 96 5.0 there just
isn't room for them, the stock headers are already reversed to clearance.

--damon

 

[Tate Myrick]

I was wondering if anyone knew of another coupon number. I went to the web site on 4-30 and it indicated the the coupon had expired. I would love a set of Borla headers, but I would also like a great price. Thanks for the help.



Tate

 

[PunkChild]

I got my JBA headers about a week ago and they are the same way. Like it has been said before they are made for clearance. The JBA's have a patented collector called a Firecone. This helps make the unequal length headers more like equal lengths. Anyway unequal length headers are the best your going to get unless you want someone to make you a set of equals (very expensive). Either way your still getting improved performance by letting exhaust flow faster and easier.

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Jim Ferrarini
Skaman0182@yahoo.com
96 Sport 5-speed
JBA headers
Borla cat-back exhaust
modified airbox
K&N filter
+4 plugs
8.5mm wires
other small mods.
Coming soon:
K&N filter kit

 

[Scott B.]

PunkChild (and anyone else with JBA headers),

Why did you pick JBA headers instead of Borla? I am going to get some, and am considering ordering Borlas from carparts.com with the coupon.

I guess I'm asking if there are any substantial differences, and are the differences worth $200.00?

Thanks,


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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com