Headers are an excellent mod for the Probes. Unlike the stock exhaust manifolds, headers give each cylinder its own exhaust "pipe". These are called the Primary tubes. From there, the primaries meet at one point which is called the collector. From the collectors, the two headers are connected by a Y-pipe which utilizes large diameter tubing to decrease the backpressure. From there, exhaust goes through the cat and preferably out an aftermarket exhaust.

Besides better flow characteristics, headers also use a principle called Scavenging. Looking at one bank at a time, all 3 primaries meet at one collector. This means exhaust gas from all 3 are going through the same point. Obviously, not all cylinders fire at the same time; one cylinder out of the bank fires every rotation, with the other two following closely. Use the diagram to the right for reference: As the exhaust from the first fired cylinder (1) passes the collector, it creates a vacuum on the other primaries (2 & 3). The effect of this it to either decrease the backpressure on the exhaust stroke of those cylinders or even help suck the exhaust out of those cylinders once the exhaust valves opens. As the other cylinders fire and exhaust is released, they do the same for the other cylinders.

That's the summarized version of how headers work! Before getting to what is available for the Probes, let me remind you that as with any exhaust component, I would suggest that you stay with coated or stainless components (or in the case of headers, polished). Mild-steel headers will rust rather quickly from the heat and you will then run the risk of exhaust leaks. Since this is an install that you don't want to have to do twice, I suggest spending the extra dollars up front. Coated headers will also keep the engine temperatures down.

Let's get to what is available for the Probes!

Pacesetter Exhaust has been making headers for the Probe GTs for quite some time. These used to only be available in painted, mild-steel. However, as a few months ago, Pacesetter has added the availability of ArmorCoat to them. This is their metallic-ceramic coating.

From what I understand, the Pacesetter's use a "ball joint" of sorts to connect the y-pipe to the cat. This is in place of a flexpipe that is standard issue on the OEM system and on other header kits. I can't say whether it is better or worse, but according to reports from owners, the Pacesetters do work well. The mild steel versions can probably be found for around $200 while the ArmorCoat versions are in the neighborhood of $325. I suggest that you spend the extra money on the ArmorCoat versions should you choose the Pacesetters.

Next up are the more popular (it seems) Hotshot headers. Although there were problems with the earlier versions, their latest generation headers seem to work just fine.

The reported problem with the previous versions was a lack of quality on the the part of the flexpipe manufacturer (leaks), not with Hotshot per se or the header design. Here you can see the headers themselves. To see the entire kit, check out my header installation page. Anyway, the Hotshot design is slightly different than the Pacesetter. The Hotshots seem to have slightly shorter primaries and utilize a flexpipe instead of the ball joint. All Hotshot headers are ceramic coated so there's not even a option....which in my humble opinion is the way to go anyway. I personally have installed these and can vouch for their added benefit. Running without NOS, I had a best run of 15.29 (GReddy and Hotshot intake), my first and only time to the track since installing these, I ran a 15.01 (GReddy, intake, and headers). That was on a clutch that slipped in the 1-2 shift...I am hoping for a 14s once the clutch is replaced!! These will run you about $350 for the set. I normally don't point to particular sources, but I suggest contacting Eddie Wu if you are interested in getting these (or the Hotshot cold air pipe). I have purchased both my cold air pipe and headers from Eddie, and couldn't be happier with the price or the service. (For those that don't know him, he is a fellow Prober!)

The latest addition to the list of available headers is Bosal. They should be available any day now (if not already) and are rumored to be polished steel with very thick flanges. Supposedly they are the highest quality and fit perfectly. They better because their suggested retail price is $600! I'll include more information as I find out, so check back!

Before you leave or order your headers, see what's involved in a header install on a Probe GT.

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