cost of headers
 

Why are the aftermarket headers typically 1000.00 more for a 930 than the same manufacturer supplying for a 911 (Carrera or SC) ?????

Surely there can not be that large of a difference in kits. I am guessing that since the buy in to turbo land that the manufacturers believe that this is justified.


Jerry SSmileWavy SmileWavy

I guess for the same reason that Griot charges almost double for his stuff after he places his label on it, that you can buy in the generic version for half.

The 'murican system is "what the market will bear (bare?)". See if those guys are around in another year.

One reason is that turbo systems use 321 SS and N/A use 304. Are you comparing headers from the same Co.?

I have build headers and they are a lot of work.

The answer is much simpler than any of the above.

Its all about supply and demand.

There are only about 15K 930s in existence. Anyone who goes through the trouble of making headers for this market are not going to sell a lot of units which means higher prices per unit.

You hit that on the head! Supply and demand. Headers are very simple to make once you have all your jigs made. Materials make more of a difference in price than size does. Always remember you are buying stuff for a Porsche so value is NEVER included. You will always pay 2-5 times more than a domestic. Here is a pic of my turbo headers. You dont even want to know what a set like this cost:( Sorry it would not let me post a pics said it was too large.

Eric Hood

Are there any lower cost alternatives since I do not necessarily require stainless or heater boxes?

Possibly go with non-stainless version and have it Jetcoated.

You might look for used heat exchangers, and then remove the heat exchanger part.

Underneath all the sheet metal making up the exchangers are the headers!!!!!!!!

Yes but this would not yield an improvement in performance and therefore should be equal length or whatever else is effective.

Thanks Jerry S

Hi Jerry,

Believe it or not, the headers inside the heat exchangers are equal length (that's why they have such a "funny" shape, bnecasue the tubes go up into the top, to allow them to be equal length). The SSI stainless heat exchangers everyone is always talking about are nothing more than the 1974 version of 2 in, 2 out (which is what I had on my 1974 before I purchased the 1983).

And I have shown a 20 HP increase using these over my stock 1983 911SC set-up. So they do work.

Finally, you did ask if there is an less expensive alternative, and I suggested just that for you. If you go to a Swap Meet and look for used headers or used 1974-vesion heat exchangers, you will find the Holy Grail.

Jerry,
You can sometimes talk the suppliers into a discount,
like PP maybe? I got a set of B&B turbo headers w/heat
for $1,750.00 and free shipping.
"It takes big bucks to run in the fast lane!!!!"
Good luck!

I was under the belief that the stock pre-74 heat exchangers were not equal lenght tubes. On the other hand SSI's are equal length headers.

I have seen cross-section drawings and diagrams that show the 1974 heat exchangers having equal length headers in them. I vaguely recall seeing pictures of cut-away exchangers in Bruce Anderson'es book also, though I can't attest to that. I'd have to check tonight.

That is why the heat exchangers have the funny shape which rise above the horizontal and exit at the top - to accommodate the bends of the equal-length headers.

And you sure can't beat the price of used headers (as requested) vs. $1,000 plus for "deals" by vendors.

If you hunt around on ebay you can eventually find decent 930 headers in the $1-1.5K range.

Sometimes cheaper if they are generic or need a little work.