Honda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech ChatHonda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech Chat - for the true gearheads! Bring your wrench, it's time for some Honda Civic DIY projects! Questions about problems with your car do NOT go here.
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As for your header, yes you will need a catalytic converter welded into the downpipe at some point(unless you just want a test pipe which is not street legal), because unless you get it from honda, your header will not include one.
I got the pre-made downpipe/cat combo which is why my setup was pricey, but you can buy a converter and pipe and get it made at a local shop for much less.
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The nut all the way to the right is not coming out, it is also now stripped.
The bolt and oxygen sensor below the converter are, from the way i see it impossible to get to with any tool. The converter is in the way of the bolt and vice-versa. The only thing i can get in there is a pair of pliers, which just strips things...
Unless I am missing something, i am stuck...
HELP lol
As for your first problem, you need a extention for your socket. A lot of the header nuts are really hard to get off because of all the heating and cooling that goes on- they eventually eventually end up getting really hot and almost fusing themselves to the stud. When you have your extender and are ready to get the nut off, tap the end of the ratchet with a hammer instead of torquing it loose by hand, you'll split the socket if you use enough force.
For the second problem, dont worry about removing the O2 sensor from the cat/exhaust yet, you can do that once its off your car. For now, just unclip the gray sensor connector. To get that other bolt off, I'm having a hard time visualizing exactly where it is... It looks like its connected to a bracket- can you remove the bracket? From the angle you took a picture from, you should be able to use an open ended wrench.
As for your header, yes you will need a catalytic converter welded into the downpipe at some point(unless you just want a test pipe which is not street legal), because unless you get it from honda, your header will not include one.
I got the pre-made downpipe/cat combo which is why my setup was pricey, but you can buy a converter and pipe and get it made at a local shop for much less.
okay thanks, when the time comes (hopefully soon) im definitely buying some OBX or Megan racing headers and then put my cat w/pipin on it
As for your header, yes you will need a catalytic converter welded into the downpipe at some point(unless you just want a test pipe which is not street legal), because unless you get it from honda, your header will not include one.
I got the pre-made downpipe/cat combo which is why my setup was pricey, but you can buy a converter and pipe and get it made at a local shop for much less.
I don't get it, why would you need a SECOND cat integrated with the down pipe? You've already got a random tech cat under the car with sensors attached to it (if i'm not mistaken). I thought one of the main advantages is that you can eliminate the stock cast iron "header-cat" for good.
I don't get it, why would you need a SECOND cat integrated with the down pipe? You've already got a random tech cat under the car with sensors attached to it (if i'm not mistaken). I thought one of the main advantages is that you can eliminate the stock cast iron "header-cat" for good.
I think he was referring to getting an EX header from honda, and not the dx/lx header. The ex header has no cat in it, the lx does. If you replace the dx/lx header with an ex one, you wont have a cat in it and will need to have the cat in your downpipe, which is exactly what the random tech hi flow cat/downpipe is.
I recently purchased an '01 civic LX. Over-all the car is in pretty good shape and runs well but it has some Autozone looking fart-can on it, which I would like to replace with something nicer. I do not ever plan on putting a turbo kit on and I do not drive like an a$$hole so I want to retain enough back-pressure to not loose low rpm power. After reading this post I decided that a 2" cat-back exhaust pipe is the way to go. Can I get some recommendations on the best brands of cat-back exhausts for this setup and should I even bother with the LX-EX swap with this in mind? Additionally am I correct in thinking that replacing the stock manifold/header is a waste of time?
Last edited by megawombat; 10-26-2008 at 05:48 PM.
custom mandrel bent piping i believe is the only way to get exactly 2" piping. The stock lx/dx manifold is pretty restrictive. but doing an ex manifold with a test pipe or a high-flow cat would free things up a bit. You have to weigh the benefit vs the price of the mod. Its all about is it worth it to you? So asking if it's a waste of time is just gonna get you others opinions when really u need to ask yourself that question. You have the info^ in this thread now make a decision.
__________________ maturity is overrated
Last edited by ProjectMayhemR; 10-26-2008 at 04:48 PM.
Reason: punctuation
Ok, maybe I didn't word that correctly. By "waste of time" I meant; little or no increase in performance because I do NOT ever plan on putting a turbo kit on my car.
well with this car, unless you do something serious, you're not going to see anything major. You might pick up 3 or 4hp total with exhaust, header, and test pipe.
Well, I finally finished. Sounds good, but the way the Random Tech downpipe bolts onto the header leaves leaks....I guess i'll hafta get it welded. And there is a lot of rattling from the undercarraige. But im happy it's done
maturity is overrated
