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I recently got a Ractive midsection for my 2002 dx. It does not fit to the stock header. There is about a 1 to 1 and a half foot gap between it and the header. I have asked this question before but didnt get the answer I was looking for. Would getting a header with a downpipe complete the problem, or should a get a regular header that fits with no mods and add a resonator in between the gap of the mid section and header? Im so lost! Need help fast!

 
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If everything fails, go to a muffler shop and have them weld an extension pipe.

 
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all this "header" stuff is confusing the hell out of me.

ok so you got the midpipe. its not supposed to connect to the stock exhaust manifold. its supposed to connect after the cat. it goes exhaust manifold which connects to down pipe which connects to cat which connects to midpipe which connects to muffler. thats what i got from your original thread. plz restate problem. if you mean a foot gap between the midpipe and catalytic converter then you got a problem.

edit: after looking again i think i realize what happened. the gap is caused by the midpipe being for an ex so no cat behind downpipe on dx (right near exhaust manifold i think).

 
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I think you're right. The dx cat is just below the exhaust manifold. The ex cat is under the car with a pipe between it and the manifold. That would account for the midpipe being too short.

 
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if that mid section was meant for an ex, then yes, getting a header and downpipe will solve it. how much was it by the way?

 
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Problem solved I believe. Is there a way I can get a header and be able to add a race cat as well, instead of having to add just a header with that extra downpipe extension? I know if I get a header with downpipe, I wont pass emisions...I need help!

 
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you need to realize what makes up ur exhaust system... doesn't sound like ur mid section is for your DX. most manufactures are ghey and they advertise it as fit but it doesn't.

sounds like ur mid section is for an EX, like everyone suggested it.

to solve this problem, try:

1. a stock ex header with the stock ex downpipe/cat convertor. the downpipe and the cat convertor is welded together.
2. a stock ex header with random technology bolt on downpipe/high flow cat
3. hp 4-1 race header with high flow cat (not a working cat, just a straight pipe, wont pass emission)

you can always go to a shop and have them extend the pipping for you, then you'll be able to keep ur stock manifold and stock cat convertor.

personally if u can get a stock ex header for cheap, u should get that... and grab a random technology highflow cat.

 
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What about if I were to get a header that was meant for an EX? Would it fit to the midsection then? But is there any difference of the block compared to the DX/LX? (where the header bolts on?)

 
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I just said exactly what will fix this gap problem:

1. a stock ex header with the stock ex downpipe/cat convertor. the downpipe and the cat convertor is welded together.

so yes, a stock ex header. BUT u will need the stock ex downpipe with the welded cat convertor.

and yeah the block is the same. it'll fit.

other things u gotta modifiy is the o2 sensor... the LX has one on the top.. u gotta extend that now to the bottom if you use an ex downpipe. and u gotta extend the 2nd one to behind the cat convertor.

there are two o2 sensors on a civic.. one goes before the cat convertor, and the other one goes after the cat convertor.