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  VW Parts Catalog > Exhaust & Mufflers >

A-1 Performance Sidewinder Merged Racing HEADER (Muffler NOT included), use with Slip-In J-Pipes (No Heater Boxes), Choose Tubing Size

A-1 Performance Sidewinder Merged Racing HEADER (Muffler NOT included), Slip-In J-Pipes (No Heater Boxes)
Photos include some "Budget Brand" racing header cut-away shots, for quality comparison to these top quality A-1 Performance Headers. A little more money for an A-1 gets you a LOT nicer header for your VW! Optional V-band clamp also shown.
  
A-1 Performance Sidewinder Merged Racing HEADER (Muffler NOT included), with Slip-In J-Pipes (No Heater Boxes), offers the best balance of performance, looks, and ground clearance, of any VW Performance Exhaust available! Each one is hand made by a master exhaust system craftsman! Remember that Exhaust Tubing is measured on the OUTSIDE diameter (not Inside) -- stock size exhausts were 1 1/4".. A decent guideline is to run 1 3/8" for up to 90hp, 1 1/2" from 90-140hp, 1 5/8" from 140-175hp, and 1 3/4" from 175-220hp. Above this you need an even larger exhaust tubing, which we do offer but they cost more! The Cylinder 1 and 3 J-pipes are INCLUDED with this header. These headers feature a properly sized collector for the primary tubing you have selected. Many other brands of headers have a collector which is too big, and this results in a loss of power and a lot of tuning headaches!


A-1 Racing Headers are designed with a silky smooth 'Superflo' merged collector (see the cut-away comparison photos), and offer dyno-proven performance. The maximum ground clearance these headers have is icing on the cake! Equal length (tuned) mandrel bent tubing delivers TOP HP and torque at all RPMs. These are not the Chinese made "headers" (term used very loosely) that won't even bolt up to your engine (and when they do, they are lop-sided!)! Check out the examples of typical "Cheap" headers in the collector cut away photos so you know exactly what you are avoiding!

A-1's headers are hand-built with Heavy Duty 16 gauge steel tubing, not that paper thin junk! Are you sick of flanges that are warped out of the box, or that bend during normal exhaust tightening? End THAT once and for all with these Double Thick Tru Flat 3/8" head and collector flanges that are so straight you don't even need gaskets if you don't want to use them! Remember that Exhaust Tubing is measured on the OUTSIDE (Not Inside), stock is 1 1/4". A decent guideline is to run 1 3/8" for up to 90hp, 1 1/2" from 90-140hp, and 1 5/8" from 140-200hp. Above this you need a larger exhaust tubing, which we do offer but they cost more!

Once you've decided on the A-1 Performance Header and muffler that is right for you, don't forget to check out the related products below for compatible A-1 products to build the ultimate exhaust system for your ride!
Base Price $299.95
Country of Manufacture or Origin: Made in USA


: A-1-SW112-SW158-SW134

Vehicle Application


Need Thermostat Clearance?


Primary Tube Size


Step Header Option



Step design is dyno-proven to increase torque and driveability. Anti-reversionary design moves the exhaust out, reducing mixture contamination of the new charge. The Step Header Option is most effective on large displacement engines using mild-level size cams.
Choose Exhaust Finish / Coating



Ceramic Coating is a life EXTENDER, not a lifetime coating. In other words, you should expect the coating to make the pipes last longer than normal but don't expect the coating to be shiny or to last forever. Normal lifespan varies according to where you live and if you drive the car in the winter in the salt zones. Salt zone, daily driver summer and winter the systems should last about 4 to 5 years normally.
Choose Collector Flange



The V-band Clamp Collector Flange option is a single Band-Clamp that holds the stinger or muffler to the header's collector. It's smaller and cleaner looking, and much faster to connect and disconnect, than the traditional 3-bolt collectors. YOU MUST ADD THE V-BAND OPTION TO BOTH YOUR MUFFLER AND HEADER TO GET A COMPLETE V-BAND SYSTEM. The upgrade fee of $60 is ONLY for one side.
O2 Sensor Options



O2 sensor is useful for Wideband Tuning, or for Closed Loop FI functionality. The Single O2 Sensor Option places an O2 bung in the collector at the 9 o'clock position. The O2 Sensor x 4 Option allows for individual cylinder monitoring.
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Custom Made Item Agreement

I AGREE TO THE CUSTOM ORDER (Non-Returnable) TERMS FOR THIS ITEM.

CUSTOM MADE TO ORDER ITEM TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A-1 Performance Exhaust products are CUSTOM BUILT TO ORDER. You are charged for Custom Made To Order items in advance of shipment, usually within 1-2 business days of order submission. However, time until shipment will be AT LEAST 3 weeks, and may be longer to allow time for manufacture, coating (if applicable), and shipping time in transit. There is no guarantee on timeframe of delivery, but typically A-1 products are done and shipped within 3-6 weeks. Your A-1 items will ship to you separately from your other requested items, and via UPS Ground regardless of the shipping method you select at time of order. US Postal Service shipment and International Shipment is only available by special arrangement (and may be subject to an additional surcharge).There are NO CANCELLATIONS, NO RETURNS and NO REFUNDS/EXCHANGES on A-1 Performance Exhaust products except at the sole discretion of Aircooled.Net. Any issues must be reported within 48 hours of receipt of your product.



QTY:
Overview More Info
 
A-1 Performance Sidewinder Merged Racing HEADER (Muffler NOT included), with Slip-In J-Pipes (No Heater Boxes), offers the best balance of performance, looks, and ground clearance, of any VW Performance Exhaust available! Each one is hand made by a master exhaust system craftsman! Remember that Exhaust Tubing is measured on the OUTSIDE diameter (not Inside) -- stock size exhausts were 1 1/4". A decent guideline is to run 1 3/8" for up to 90hp, 1 1/2" from 90-140hp, 1 5/8" from 140-175hp, and 1 3/4" from 175-220hp. Above this you need an even larger exhaust tubing, which we do offer but they cost more! The Cylinder 1 and 3 J-pipes are INCLUDED with this header. These headers feature a properly sized collector for the primary tubing you have selected. Many other brands of headers have a collector which is too big, and this results in a loss of power and a lot of tuning headaches!
Item Features
These headers have slip-fit tubes which connect the J-pipes to the header. They fit perfectly in Raw Steel (Un-coated), but if you get them Ceramic Coated it's likely they will be too tight, since the coating thickness eliminates what little play you had. If they are too tight, your first step is to make sure there are no burrs on the OD and ID of the tubing, that may be causing it to hang up. If that doesn't work, You'll have to gently sand the OD of the tubing (the Ceramic) to allow it to fit. When it's finally fitting without cursing, brush on some Milk of Magnesia (not a joke) or Never-Seize, it's slick and won't burn off, this will make installation and your removal in the future a much easier job!

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