Short 4-1 vs. Long 4-2-1 headers[edit]
Short 4-1 headers are conventionally used to obtain high torque at low-to-mid-range rpms. However, they face such problems during scavenging as internal mixing of exhaust gases with the incoming fresh air/charge.
Consider a four-stroke engine, with a 1-3-4-2 firing order. When the exhaust manifold is short, the high pressure wave from the gas emerging immediately after cylinder No. 3’s exhaust valves open, for example, arrives at cylinder No.1 as it finishes its exhaust stroke and enters its intake stroke. As a result, exhaust gas which has just moved out of the cylinder is forced back inside the combustion chamber, increasing the amount of hot residual gas. With a short exhaust manifold, the high pressure wave arrives at the next cylinder within a short amount of time, causing this adverse effect to continue from low to high engine speed. Hence, shorter length causes contamination and produces lesser power.
While in long 4-2-1 headers, exhaust gases get cooled on their way, because of the huge heat loss due to radiation, eventually delays the catalyst activation. Exhaust temperature can be increased by increasing ignition timing, but it further leads to several problems like knocking and unstable combustion.