Exhaust Header Upgrade... Worth it?

[Jay MacLeay]

I have an aftermarket intake, aftermarket catalytic converter and exhaust system. The only stock part in the air flow is the header. I was wondering if it is worth it to upgrade or if there really is no performance gain to be had from replacing the header.

 

[Rob5589]

General consensus is, no.

 

[Camdenst]

It's also what you value. I had a borla on the old tj and loved it. I had to replace a pacesetter from the previous owner and did for the sound and warranty.

 

[Fouledplugs]

I have an aftermarket intake, aftermarket catalytic converter and exhaust system. The only stock part in the air flow is the header. I was wondering if it is worth it to upgrade or if there really is no performance gain to be had from replacing the header.

No real gain in power unless you gasket match the head, or port match the head. With stock engine internals the header doesn’t provide any real benefit.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Generally no, it's not worth it if you're seeking additional performance. The 4.0 is basically an old tractor engine design and it doesn't respond well to things like you've installed or are contemplating.

 

[Chris]

Generally no, it's not worth it if you're seeking additional performance. The 4.0 is basically an old tractor engine design and it doesn't respond well to things like you've installed or are contemplating.

Don’t forget to mention how frequently these aftermarket headers crack.

My Banks torque tube I used to have years back cracked after 1 year. They are made of thin, cheap metal that will crack pretty easily if you flex your suspension enough.

I didn’t gain any noticeable power from it either. Huge waste of money. If you want power from a 4.0 you need to supercharge it or stroke it, period. Either that or do a V8 swap.

 

[jeep_boss]

I can't give any advice on before and after (mine came with an aftermarket header), but I'm fairly certain that it only adds to the ferocious sound that my exhaust makes. I say this having heard other jeeps with my exhaust that did not have an aftermarket manifold installed. Purely aural aesthetics

 

[billiebob]

Most header, intake changes decrease resistance, increase flow when done complete with porting, polishing etc. But the 4.0L is not a high RPM engine and will not benefit from those changes. For most of us a higher RPM peaky higher horse power motor is zero advantage off road too. TJs used to do TJ things need torque more than horse power and restrictive, smaller diameter breathing can develop better low end torque than free flowing big diameter manifolding.

Jeep did a pretty good job from the factory.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Don’t forget to mention how frequently these aftermarket headers crack.

My Banks torque tube I used to have years back cracked after 1 year. They are made of thin, cheap metal that will crack pretty easily if you flex your suspension enough.

I didn’t gain any noticeable power from it either. Huge waste of money. If you want power from a 4.0 you need to supercharge it or stroke it, period. Either that or do a V8 swap.

While its great advice. I firmy believe they fixed this common issue at Banks Performance

 

[Jerry Bransford]

While its great advice. I firmy believe they fixed this common issue at Banks Performance

Only with the Banks Revolver model header.

 

[Fouledplugs]

Only with the Banks Revolver model header.

Thanks for clarification

 

[Chris]

While its great advice. I firmy believe they fixed this common issue at Banks Performance

The Banks Revolver is the fix, but that only works on TJs up until 99. After that, you have to use the Torque Tube, which is a piece of garbage from my experience.

Damn the 2000+ models with their dual catalytic converters in the downpipes!

 

[Fouledplugs]

Damn the 2000+ models with their dual catalytic converters in the downpipes!

Emissions...

 

[Chris]

Emissions...

I know. I wish I could remove mine and get the earlier style header... We don't have emissions here where I live, but I don't want to deal with a permanent check engine light.

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

I have seriously considered the revolver header. Maybe one day

 

[TJRick]

Only with the Banks Revolver model header.

Did the Banks Revolver header really fix the cracking issue on the 1997 - 1999 TJs?