Re: Headers for the VR6?

[David Kim <glxvr6@attglobal.net>]

Justin,

I've had some experience with the headers available for our VR6 engines.  A while
back I purchased a 'Genie' header.  It is made of stainless steel and comes in 4
pieces.  The Genie header never fit well in my '97 Jetta GLX, the clearance over
the steering rack was only 1/4" and the header would bounce on the steering rack
on modest take-offs.  I returned the Genie header for another one thinking that I
had purchased one that had slipped through quality control.  Well, this turned
out to be a bad idea.  The second Genie header fit worse that the first one.
Even less clearance over the steering rack was available and the fitment of the
four pieces were off and led to noticeable exhaust leaks where the flanges met.
Most importantly, I did not notice any improvement with the Genie header on the
butt dyno at any speeds.  After this fiasco, I purchased a 'Supersprint' header.
The Supersprint header is also made of stainess steel but is one solid piece so
there is no need to worry about fitment between sections/pieces.  Upon purchase
of the Supersprint header, I sent it off to be Jet-Hot coated.  This also turned
out to be a bad decision, the coating lasted for a total of 2 whole days before
it burned off.  Subsequently, I had the Supersprint header coated by Swaintech.
The rough granular coating by Swaintech has held up nicely and does in fact
lowers the temperture in the engine bay.  Whereas, I did not notice any
improvement with the Genie header, an immediate gain was noticed with the
'Supersprint' header.  Low end and midrange grunt was definitely noticed on the
butt dyno.

Hope this helps,

David Kim
1997 Vento GLX




Vwtrendz@aol.com wrote:

>   Has anyone put a set of headers on the VR6?  Was it worth it?  What was the
> increase in HP?  Did you lose or gain power down low?  What was the increase
> in the 1/4 mile?  Who's headers did you go with?
>
>   I was thinking about putting a set on but I have not heard if it is worth
> it.  I would like to see some numbers before I do it.  I autocross the car so
> I don't want to lose any power down low.  I have been beating the Type R
> (rice rice baby) so far this year and I need to make sure this continues to
> happen.  I love beating these Type R guys on the street and on the track.
>
>   What kind of 1/4 mile times do you guys run?
>
> Thanks ahead of time,
> Justin (vwtrendz@aol.com)