4-1 will give you more power in the upper rpm range where as the 4-2-1 will give you more power in the lower. Many people say that the 4-2-1 is better for autotragics and the 4-1 is better for manuals. It is a matter of opinion.

If there is no name on the header (like mine) I don't think there will be a way to tell what brand they are. All most every header turns a purplish color from the heat.

 

i took a look at my headers and i dont know its like you could say 4 to 1 or 4 2 1 cuz theres 2 tubes that are on side 2 tubes parrelel with it like they connect but are still seperate tubes like :: thats really how they all connect ill try to get a picture , sorry its hard to explain

 

Doode, every header is going to have 4 tubes. Look at where they come together. 4-1 headers will come together at 1 point. 4-2-1 headers come together into 2 tubes and then go into 1.