997 TT headers
12-21-2008, 02:45 PM
#1
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997 TT headers
As some of you know I have an 07 with upgraded Protomotive VTGs, Cargraphic exhaust, filter and plenum and have been running with stock headers and intercoolers. I recently decided to upgrade my headers knowing there might not be much gains there but I figured with the bigger compressors and intercoolers they might flow better than stock.
I spent the last few weeks researching the headers issue on the 997TT and I learned a few things.
The 3 important criteria for me were: design, build quality (type of SS used) and warranty.
I found that most companies have a decent design but almost all use T304 SS vs the T321 which contains titanium. This not to say that the T304 headers are not good but I felt from my readings that the T321 is the way to go.
Also, there were only a few companies offering a lifetime warranty on the headers which for me is important and some do not include the gaskets and sell them separately.
I will not go into the engineering differences of each collector system assuming the difference is probably not huge as far as gains but to make a long story short, I eliminated all the T304 headers and all the ones with short warranty (including the cheap ones on ebay) and I found that Cargraphic and AWE make their 997TT headers from T321 SS and both offer a lifetime warranty as well as similar dyno based performance gains.
The AWE headers build quality seemed nicer while the cost of Cargraphic was prohibitive, so here you go.
The whole procedure takes less than an hour for both sides as long as you remember to use a lubricant/penetrating agent on the studs and nuts especially on the turbo side.
Interestingly even with the AWE headers being longer/larger, there was a weight difference of 5 pounds for the pair (15lbs stock vs 10 lbs AWE).
Impression: I did not have a chance to open things up yet but in city driving there is definitely a nice additional roar at low rpms complementing my already loud Cargraphic and the throttle response seems improved even more. AWE claims an additional 14whp and 9wtq on a modded car like mine and I think it is reasonable to expect that.
Next, intercoolers....
I spent the last few weeks researching the headers issue on the 997TT and I learned a few things.
The 3 important criteria for me were: design, build quality (type of SS used) and warranty.
I found that most companies have a decent design but almost all use T304 SS vs the T321 which contains titanium. This not to say that the T304 headers are not good but I felt from my readings that the T321 is the way to go.
Also, there were only a few companies offering a lifetime warranty on the headers which for me is important and some do not include the gaskets and sell them separately.
I will not go into the engineering differences of each collector system assuming the difference is probably not huge as far as gains but to make a long story short, I eliminated all the T304 headers and all the ones with short warranty (including the cheap ones on ebay) and I found that Cargraphic and AWE make their 997TT headers from T321 SS and both offer a lifetime warranty as well as similar dyno based performance gains.
The AWE headers build quality seemed nicer while the cost of Cargraphic was prohibitive, so here you go.
The whole procedure takes less than an hour for both sides as long as you remember to use a lubricant/penetrating agent on the studs and nuts especially on the turbo side.
Interestingly even with the AWE headers being longer/larger, there was a weight difference of 5 pounds for the pair (15lbs stock vs 10 lbs AWE).
Impression: I did not have a chance to open things up yet but in city driving there is definitely a nice additional roar at low rpms complementing my already loud Cargraphic and the throttle response seems improved even more. AWE claims an additional 14whp and 9wtq on a modded car like mine and I think it is reasonable to expect that.
Next, intercoolers....
12-24-2008, 09:19 AM
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I have just ordered a set of Cargraphics. Whilst I am sure the AWE jobbies are as good I am not happy with how low the middle pipe hangs down and think I would end up grounding it. The CG ones do not follow the same route and are engine dyno tested with the sport cats to give 30PS at the top end on the GT2 so that will be my stage 1 tune 
12-24-2008, 11:43 AM
#6
I have just ordered a set of Cargraphics. Whilst I am sure the AWE jobbies are as good I am not happy with how low the middle pipe hangs down and think I would end up grounding it. The CG ones do not follow the same route and are engine dyno tested with the sport cats to give 30PS at the top end on the GT2 so that will be my stage 1 tune
12-24-2008, 12:07 PM
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Hi Mike, of course I will take some pics - but if we are going to have a "manifold/header off" then as far as I am concerned the only thing that counts is what the engine dyno says 
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12-24-2008, 12:48 PM
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12-24-2008, 01:29 PM
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The clearance of the AWE lower pipes is 5 inches on both sides in my stock height car. Eclou has the same headers in his lowered car and I dont think he has clearance issues, eugene?
12-24-2008, 01:32 PM
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The only thing that scrapes on my car is the front lip. I don't recall there being any clearance issues from the headers. Mine certainly don't have any telltale marks
12-24-2008, 01:56 PM
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TB993TT>Toby, you might want to consider the titanuim header system that matches your exhaust from Akrapovic.com
They hydroform there bends. The collector design looks cleaner.
They hydroform there bends. The collector design looks cleaner.
12-24-2008, 02:23 PM
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I have spoken to the guys at Phoenix (who make the stuff for CG) a few times and am pretty confident in their abilities, they send prototypes to RS who test them on the engine dyno before the final design is signed off, these are really the only details I need, anything else is just "chat" to me albeit interesting chat
12-25-2008, 10:50 AM
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I used these from Imagine Auto with my RS Tuning 544 HP kit, don't know if they make any more power but won't hurt.
These headers incorporate the important indy-style merge collector which they claim make a difference in creating power.
These headers incorporate the important indy-style merge collector which they claim make a difference in creating power.