I feel the need to get this out here...

I installed the Strup header on my manual transmission xA a few months back, and was satisfied with the performance, etc. However, there are two shift cables that normally sit against/near the stock heat shield (which is removed to accommodate the Strup header), that come in direct contact with the header pipe after installation.

Well, since one of the cables sits directly against the Strup header pipe, it began to melt against the header very quickly. This problem, while not necessarily a safety issue, is a big oversight. I have, at length, gone over this problem with Strup, who now claim that my xA has longer shift cables than all the other xA's out there, but admitted that the header prototype was only tested on an automatic transmission xA, not a manual.

Regardless of the potential for failure, Strup claims that their product is fine the way it is, as long as people take it upon themselves to zip-tie the shift cables out of the way. This is not something I felt I should have to do, especially considering how pricey the Strup header is. I wrapped the cables with exhaust wrap and aluminum tape, but that was only a temporary fix.

For what it's worth, I've ordered and will soon be installing a Weapon-R header pipe. Partly because it's a 4-2-1 header, but mostly because it uses the stock heat shield, and will not likely require any modifications to the cables. I personally will keep the exhaust wrap on the cables, but I had to install that to keep my cables from melting while using the Strup header.

Bottom line is...if you have a Strup header, and a manual transmission xA or xB, you should check your shift cables and ensure that they are not melting against the header pipe like mine were. You'll be glad you did.

That's my story...

 

hmmmm the stock shifter cable has its own heat shield around it

but i'm like you i added exhuast wrap around my shifter cable with exhuast wrap zip ties, i only wraped the cable that was closest to the header anyways not too worried about the other one cause that one is farther away from it anyways

but then again i have the DC header anyways

 

While I use the DC Sports Ceramic header, I still took the extra step to protect my shifter cables for excessive heat.

I used stainless steal wire to hold the shift cable that generally touches the header. I basically created a hangar for the wire and secured it to a decent mounting location on the firewall. This method holds the shift cable up so there is about 1/2 inch between the cable's heatshield and the header. Haven't had any problems with this setup at all and it has been working great for about 2 months now.

 

Have any of you guys honestly noticed a big enough difference in performance to justify doing the headers? I might consider it, but don't want to waste my money.

Thanks,
Johncal

 

There was a considerable improvement in performance over stock with my DC Headers. Accelleration has improved all the way through the power band. It also changed the sound of my TRD Exhaust. It made it deeper and gave it a nice growl.

I got my DC headers from a seller on ebay for about 200 shipped, new in the box. Well worth the investment.

 

made it lot zippier on the highway!!!

 

I understand that the cables can be easily moved or tied back to get them away from the header pipe. And, while this may seem nitpicky, the cable moves within that sheath, so over time you could run into premature where on the cable sheath due to the unnatural curve you've created in the sheath/cable.

Those foil wraps around the cable sheaths simply aren't enough when you have the cable in direct contact with an aftermarket header pipe. The stock heat shield is what originally provided the real protection from heat for the cables. If you're comfy with using ties/steel wire/etc. to tie the cables back, then that's fine. I just felt that it was jimmy rigging, which I wasn't comfy with long term.

In my opin., this is something that the aftermarket header manufacturers should convey to customers. Unfortunately, it isn't.

As far as performance, for you who asked, it is noticeable for sure, in both sound and just a squirt of hp. The Strup is a bit pricey for what it is. The Weapon-R/MMW header, with a 4-2-1 design will likely provide a little more hp - at least according to their dyno, which is posted here somewhere.

That's my take.