Headers: to buy or not to buy?
 

Hey everyone! I have an 01 EX auto and I was wondering if the 4-2-1 headers that connect to the stock downpipe are worth buying. I don't wanna get the one piece race headers because I'm afraid of ground clearence and it will be harder to pass smog...so I'm thinking of the 4-2-1's might be easier to get away with. So yeah, I've heard a lot of conflicting things about headers so could someone help me out here. P.S. I'm thinking of getting the OBX one's cuz the DC's seem like a rip off.

- Thanks
Civic707Style

Not worth it.

And with Race header, you will not pass smog test.

it depends.
first, its header and second, they dont make 4-2-1 header for our civics. only 4-1 is out unless you want to custom make one which is definately not worth it.

but im assuming your talking about the top portion header aka "shorty header" which just replaces the header and not downpipe. the thing about dc sport 4-1 header is that its carb legal? while others arent. you live in the bay area which is california and i know CALI is real strict on smog emissions but i think you'll fail the visual test with any header (not sure, but most likely). so either way, any aftermarket header would have a hard time passing emissions/smog.

as for the top line header, i would suggest hp racing, kamakzie*, topspeed, and dc. to make a long story short, hp racing makes a great header for the ex, kamakazie is a great choice for lx/dx ppl while dc sports has smaller pipes similar to stock diameter, but i think that may help your low end. dc = carb legal i believe

if you think spending $100-$250 for a header is worth 1-2 hp, go for it. to me, its not much but if you into modding, it does something at least.

I agree with D17Gen. Sadly, not much is gained on our vics with this add on. I got a Kamikaze on my 04 LX and I did feel some gains back when I installed it (probably not even 2 HP), but you'll definately love the awesome sound ;) .
Also, keep in mind that installing a header will activate your check engine light. There's ways around this problem like getting an "O2 simulator" so that you won't be bothered by the annoying light on your dash board.

^ thats only if u have an LX cause ur catalytic converter is removed.

^^^ rofl at that pic

i have a dc header, megan hi flow cat and a skunk2 cat back. I defintely noticed a difference. Best thing to do is buy the header of ebay if you can find a used one thats what i did.

if u have a catback probably it will give some hp gains i loved the sound of my dc headers which im about to sell on ebay for 80

I don't think its worth it considering the lack of power gain. I'm not sure how the engine will sound ofter though.

useless, even with catback.
i had kamikaze header with tanabe racing medallion and i was never able to go fast enough for the sound they made. that's perhaps a reason that made me believe i wasn't going any faster at all.
after i swapped back to oem header and exhaust, the amount of torque i get just overwhelms me and i would never go catback and header again. an axle back is the only thing that i would spend money on if you want sound and look; only an axle back that sounds like rs*r and doesn't look oem. the only engine mod i would buy is intake.
if you want to go aftermarket header and exhaust, my suggestion to you would be to buy them used and dump them after a while. buying them new would be a waste of money in my opinion, or;
stay stock and spend money on exterior and suspension. HID baby.

What the **** are you smoking?

hey thanks for the replies. Yeah I realized my error in posting 4-2-1 so yeah my bad on that and thanks for correcting my mistake. I think I'm just gonna keep my stock headers instead even though they're ugly lol. I never cared about the sound just the performance and it seems that its just a gigantic waste of my hard earned money so f*ck it. Oh and thanks scat man for the insightful reply you posted, your name says it all you are a shit head =)