So I have the common exhaust manifold leak, but I'm debating if I should get headers instead? Are they worth the extra money? My guess is stainless steel ones will not crack the way the factory ones do and should last longer so that part is good but do they add much performance? I'm thinking about the JBA catforward headers

 

Welcome to The forum. How about the year jk you have .

 

Assume you have the 3.8 since the 3.6 manifold is cast in the block. I was lucky to have mine replaced when a bearing decided to spin and took out the cam shaft. Not fun. From what I gather, headers may melt your plug wires. Not sure if there's a ceramic version, that would solve the heat issue: but may affect the cat due to lack of heat.

 

Sorry, 2007 JK, it's just the driver side right now but figure since tax money is coming in I mind as well do headers...plus my wife won't let me get anything else for the jeep until my exhaust leak is fixed lol

 

I put Gibson stainless steal headers on my 11'JKU and the only thing I regret was not getting high heat spark plug wires. I kept burning wire #4 and realized the stock "booties", or what ever you call the things they give you to put over the wires to reflect the heat suck. Bought some high heat ones of those too and haven't has a problem since. Also did the Gibson cat back exhaust while I was at it.

 

Are the Gibson headers worth the extra money over the JBA headers?

 

You could always do the RIPP headers

 

I can't really say but what I can tell you is after the headers and the exhaust and a professional tune I gained 22 hp, if I can dig out the dyno sheet ill post a pic. So all I can say is that you do get a little more power and I didn't really see any gains/loss in mpg in doing so.

 

Or the RIPP sc, as I dream to do..

 

Yeah the ripp are a little out of my price range, the JBA are more my price range, can't do anything about the intake for power because I have a snorkel, my dream would be a hemi conversion