Performance Header & Exhaust Systems

Headers and exhaust systems are some of the best bolt-on upgrades for increasing horsepower and torque potential, and giving your car or truck the sound and presence it deserves. Summit Racing offers performance headers and complete exhaust systems for classics, muscle cars, street rods, trucks, Jeep vehicles, late-model performance vehicles, and race applications. Choose from long tube headers, shorty headers, mid-length headers, block-hugger headers, header-back exhaust kits, cat-back systems, turbo-back exhaust systems, axle-back systems, mufflers, and exhaust pipes, plus accessories like exhaust gaskets, exhaust clamps, and installation hardware.

Headers and exhaust systems are available in mild steel, aluminized steel, or stainless steel, with polished and natural finishes, or ceramic coating. Summit Racing stocks headers and exhaust systems from trusted brands that are built to match your engine, vehicle, and performance goals.

When restrictive factory exhaust manifolds and stock piping are holding back your build, Summit Racing has the solution. Shop a huge selection of performance headers and exhaust systems from names you know and trust, including Summit Racing, Hooker Headers, Flowmaster, Borla, MagnaFlow, Dynomax, Pypes Performance Exhaust, Hedman Hedders, BBK Performance, Kooks, Edelbrock, and many more.

FAQ Section:

What do headers do?

Headers replace restrictive factory cast exhaust manifolds with individual primary tubes, providing a less restrictive path for exhaust gases as they travel from the cylinder heads to the collector. Better exhaust flow can improve horsepower and torque potential, particularly when headers are matched to the needs of your engine and paired with a high-flow exhaust.

What are the different styles of headers?

Long-tube headers use longer primary tubes to deliver maximum mid-range and top-end horsepower potential. They often require additional clearance and generally necessitate further exhaust modifications for proper fitment. Securing and/or re-routing spark plug wires is common. In many cases (especially with factory fuel injected vehicles), it is a good idea to get a tune from a reputable shop after installation to optimize performance following installation.

Shorty headers are more compact, fit in the space of many factory manifolds, and often connect to the stock exhaust system forward of the catalytic converters. Shorty headers are a great choice if you want to improve performance without making any significant modifications to the exhaust system or wire routing.

Mid-length headers offer a middle ground between long-tube and shorty headers. They use longer primary tubes than shorty headers for improved exhaust flow and performance potential, while offering easier installation and better ground clearance than long-tube headers in applications with limited clearance. While requiring less clearance than long-tube headers, mid-length headers may still require more clearance than factory manifolds or shorty headers.

Block-hugger headers are a compact option commonly used on street rods and custom builds with limited clearance between the engine and frame rail.

Are headers street legal?

Some headers are intended for off-road or racing use only, while others are designed for specific street applications. Always review the product description, fitment notes, and local emissions regulations before ordering or installing headers.

What types of exhaust systems are available?

Summit Racing offers header-back, cat-back, axle-back, and complete exhaust systems. Header-back systems connect to performance headers and replace much of the exhaust system from the collector rearward. Cat-back systems replace exhaust components behind the catalytic converter. Axle-back kits replace the components behind the rear axle. Complete exhaust systems replace your entire exhaust system from the cylinder head to the exhaust tips.

Will headers and exhaust systems increase horsepower?

They can. Headers, mandrel-bent exhaust tubing, performance mufflers, and properly sized pipes can reduce exhaust restriction and support improved power. Actual gains depend on the engine, exhaust diameter, existing modifications, tuning, and whether the system is matched to the vehicle’s intended use and engine requirements.

What materials are exhaust systems made from?

Performance headers and exhaust systems are commonly made from mild steel, aluminized steel, or stainless steel. Mild and aluminized steel are cost-effective choices for many street builds, while stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance and long-term durability.

What coatings and finishes are available?

Headers are available with a variety of coating options. Some headers are finished with high-temperature paint that can withstand the heat of normal use and reduce corrosion. Temporary-painted headers are painted to prevent corrosion during storage and transport. This coating will burn off from normal use. Headers with a heat-resistant ceramic coating offer improved protection from extreme underhood temperatures and protect nearby components from heat related damage. Headers with a natural or bare finish have no coating to prevent corrosion or manage heat, but can typically be coated to suit your specific application.

How do I choose the correct headers?

Match headers to your vehicle’s exact year, make, model, engine size, cylinder head configuration, transmission type, drivetrain, and intended use. Also verify exhaust-port shape, header flange design, collector size, spark plug clearance, starter clearance, and compatibility with the rest of the exhaust system. In many cases, headers (especially long tube and mid-length headers) will require modifications for installation.

Do headers come with gaskets and installation hardware?

Some header kits include gaskets, collectors, reducers, bolts, and other mounting hardware, while others may require these components to be purchased separately. Always be sure to check the product details at SummitRacing.com to confirm what is included with your headers.

Can I install headers with my stock exhaust system?

Many shorty headers are designed to connect to factory-style exhaust components, however, long-tube and mid-length headers may require a header-back exhaust system, custom mid-pipes, collector reducers, or other connecting parts to ensure proper fitment.

Do I need to retorque headers after installation?

Yes. After initial installation and a few heat cycles, inspect the header bolts, collector connections, clamps, and brackets. Retorquing the fasteners helps prevent exhaust leaks and keeps the system secure as the metal expands and contracts.

Will a performance exhaust make my vehicle louder?

Usually, yes. The sound level of your exhaust system depends on the muffler design, pipe diameter, catalytic converters, resonators, engine displacement, and system configuration. Cat-back and axle-back systems are popular upgrades for drivers who want a deeper, more aggressive exhaust tone without installing long-tube or mid-length headers.

Do headers and exhaust systems work for trucks and off-road vehicles?

Yes. Summit Racing offers headers and exhaust systems for pickups, SUVs, Jeep vehicles, and off-road rigs. Select a system that provides the right combination of ground clearance, durability, sound level for your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, and intended use.