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I have a LX 5spd, with 2.25 custom catback exhaust, i was wondering if i got like the DC sports header, could i have them just customize it to keep my catalytic converter? Or could i get the kamikaze header and replace the downpipe with my catalytic converter?? Could someone please help me with these questions, i really want a header but i have to stay street legal and be able to pass inspection!!! Thanks alot!

 
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In the LX models the cat is actually part of the exhaust manifold (header) so if you replace that you lose the cat. You could get the HP racing header with high flow cat and then get your custom piping recustomized to fit. But really a better option would be converting your lx exhaust into an ex exhaust which is what i plan to do. From what I understand you have to get an ex front swaybar to allow clearance. I guess the LX bar hits. You'll also need to lengthen the second O2 sensor wires..which really isnt a big deal. That way you'll have a cat that actually works..check your local laws...most of the time its illegal to replace your cat until you reach a certain amount of miles..but who's going to know? [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/IMG]

 
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yeah but how much will that run, and where can i get those parts?? What exactly has to be done? could i just get and EX cat, and use the ex header, why do i need the front sway bar? How much am i looking at spending to switch it to and EX?

 
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You have to replace the sway bar because the LX sway bar will hit the cat. The EX sway bar has more clearance.

 
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I have the same problem! I wanna go headers and cat with a custom exhaust and I wanna stay legal. I know I'll prolly have to go EX headers, EX downpipe (unless the headers has the long pipe), and EX cat, then after I'll have to go EX cat-back, but ill prolly do custom piping. I've seen the DIY for the HP header w/ cat but it's not a carb legal header and I also might have to extend the O2 censor (but the DIY says you don't have to because it has the O2 censors in the 3 spots) and I'm gonna have to cut the mounts. Is there any way I can use a carb legal header with the correct 02 censor plugs with either the long race pipe or go custom downpipe, and get a high flow cat.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG] Like for example I get a DC Sport header or the LX Kamakaze (or anything with the correct LX 02 censors), then attach that to a custom downpipe, then attach that to a cat, then go custom exhaust. Please help

 
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if you guys want to stay legal, the best bet is EX header and ex downpipe+cat

the downpipe is welded to the cat, btw.

or you can get ex upper section header (or some other legal upper section header) and get the random technology cat.

either way, I think there's some restriction in replacing your cat within a certain timeframe...

all aside, I think you guys should go with ex header with random tech cat (its a bolt-on, so it has the downpipe to it too)

if anything, u can just swap it back for inspection...

you'll also need to extend your o2 sensor from the top to the bottom.

 
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umm kay. first things first you didn't listen to what he asked. you don't need a sway bar!! if you get the dcsports header your made a mistake anyways. the best made header as of yet for our cars is the obx it has the biggest openings and ports. also, if you get the obx(170-stainless) or dcsports(210-ceramic) and get the ex cat you will be fine. the people at the shop will give you a new better down pipe not the stock little sh*ty one. and the cat will fit nicely under the car in its right spot, it will just be put about 3 inches farther back, i know cause i am going to do that and we checked on my car, there is more than enough room to do that, but only if you get a custom down which is the best way to go. the only problem is the first o2 sensor then, in the lx/dx there is a hole in the middle of the header for the prim o2, but on ex its at the bottom, which is where the secondary is on the lx/dx, the shop will have to get the o2 sensor (nut) holder if you will they run $17 a piece, they will put the primary in the down pipe and the secondary will just go in the new cat from the ex. my costs ran 34 for the o2 sensor holders cause i need 2 of them now since i am still looking for a ex cat to buy and just have both senros in the downpipe. then the hearder was 170 and all new downpipe/piping from header back for 140 and muffler for 80 and then like 60 bucks labor. please pm me with any other questions on the subject all of me and my friends have done this so we should be able to answer most if not all of your qustions [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

 
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if you want this a bolt on job, then my suggestions are bolt on, no need to go to a shop for a custom job that may cost more money.

but yeah, you do need the front ex sway bar if you want the ex cat and downpipe to fit... or random tech's cat.

cheapest route is probably: used ex header (used with heatshield from a user on the forum) + random technology cat (its definitely cheaper than stock cat from a dealer) OR used ex downpipe+cat from a user... + ex front sway bar (about 80 bucks)

I duno, its expensive to go street legal.

most of the expenses is in the cat convertor.

 
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Are the obx 170-stainless and the dcsports 210-ceramic carb-legal (which ones better)? So they don't have o2 ports in them? Since you have your o2's in the downpipe I'm guessing the shop had to make holes for them so you could put them in. Did you have to extend your sensors for them to reach downpipe? Besides the o2 sensor hole in the cat where was the other sensor hole you had to plug with the holder? Does it matter where you place the o2 sensors (like does one have to be in the header and the other in the cat)? And finally, are there any other headers (like the LX kamikazi, but I don't know if thats carb-legal or if its a good header) I can use that have the two o2 sensors in them so I won't have to make the shop put hole in the custom downpipe or extend it to the cat? Thanks for your feedback.

 
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You wanna stay street legal? Well, if you live in a state with emissions laws like California (I think there are a couple of other states that are almost as strict.) you are out of luck my friend. In these types of states you can't move, replace, or even touch the stock cat at all. I just said screw it and got the kamikaze header. The thing is bad ***: Install was a breeze, gains (for our cars) were great, and when it comes inspection time I will just throw the stock one back on.

Kamikaze and the old switch-aroo before inspection time, in my opinion, is the way to go.

 
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the obx is better since it has smoother curves and bigger colector and ports. they don't have o2 ports in them since the makers say they are for an ex, but they are universal fit other than the o2 holes. ya my shop put the o2 sensors both in the downpipe and they didn't have to extend the wires, but since there isn't a cat the check engine light is on. if you have an ex that sux ,cause when that light in on you don't got v-tec [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG] but in the lx/dx its just i nice oragne light to look at. i am trying to find a o2 simulator for a good price and easy to install, that will turn the cel off, the o2 simulator makes your engine think there is a cat when there isn't one thats all. if you care about where the o2 sensors go one goes before the cat(primary one) and the other goes in or after the car (secondary) which will have to lengthend if you get a cat you want to use. both headers are sort of carb legal they are carb approved as long as you have the stock cat on, which you won't, and on our cars lx/dx no cat or high flow cat will make anything not carb legal(echaust parts that is). a high flow cat will also make the cel turn off in most cases but if its like a racing high flow cat your chances are like 50/50 since so much preasure goes through. the way the o2 sensor work in the first just takes the presure no problem there, but the secondary one will make your cel come on if the preasure isn't different by a set ammount(thats what the cat does just changes the preasure or makes back preasure if you will). the obx and dc headers aren't that good unlesss you get a custom down pipe made with either a cat or not cat behind the down pipe. if you don't get the downpipe remade its basically the stock header, but you might get a few horeses out of it, someone from obx told me that on a dyno their header with no cat and straight 2.25 in piping with a muffler with a 2.25 inlet gained around 15 to the wheels, but thats a load of crap prolly i am guessing i got like 5-10, but i can deffinalty feel it. once i go to the track next weekd i can tell you how much i drop in the 1/4

 
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[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/IMG]Why did honda make the lx/dx exhaust manifold like that? Bastards!... Oh well... What to do... Does the Kamikazi header have that O2 simulator thing so the engine light won't turn on? How does it sound? Too ricey? Loud? Deep nice tone? Crap? If its good where's the best place to get it? Damn CA car laws!
arrgg!!!


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