JDM headers Options

[Arsaces]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3SGE-3SFE-5...es#ht_500wt_924

Are the claims on this listing accurate? I figure if jdm headers were so good I would have seen people on here talking about them already. Please help me out, any input is greatly appreciated.

[Galcobar]

It's not better because it's JDM -- it's better because it's a tubular manifold meant for a 3SGE engine, which was the performance version of the 5SFE.

A similar manifold was used on the last North American 3SGE, which came in the fourth-generation Celica GTS. It's not quite as efficient at very low RPMs as the log style manifold used on Celicas, but it has better overall flow which widens the engine's power band and definitely helps it maintain efficiency at higher RPMs.

The 20 HP however, is a wild claim with little reality.

Have to point out that the 3SGE is a naturally aspirated engine with a performance head, and is NOT turboed. Therefore using manifolds for the 3SGTE would not be appropriate. The 5SFE and 3SGE are heavily related engines (different heads), and it's quite common for people to use manifolds off the fourth-gen Celica's 3SGE on later 5SFEs. Similarly, late 1990s-early 2000s Camrys used 5SFEs but received a 4-1 tubular manifold.

Something to keep in mind is the catalytic converter. With the 3SGE, the cat is part of the piping under the body, since the 2-1 section (which this listing is missing and would need to be custom built) sits where the catalytic converter does on a 5SFE. Both Celicas and Camrys use the converter as the collector pipe, though the Camry version sits a little lower and will require a custom front pipe to bend around the Celica engine mount.