What to look for in a "Header"

[Reignstarz]

I got a 91 ex outside my dads shop, imma check that header out tomorrow if you say the header on the 90 91 ex's are nice.

[bcjammerx]

I got a 91 ex outside my dads shop, imma check that header out tomorrow if you say the header on the 90 91 ex's are nice.

well on some of the older ex's. You'll have to (12mm) take the heat shield off. It should be tubular...not the prettiest thing but as far as stock and cheap jy goes...it's ok

[Reignstarz]

good build quality and good gaskets. Yeah those ebay headers are cheap, but so are the gaskets, which leak and cause you a BIG headache shortly after installing it. Companies like DC Sports employ the use of crush gaskets like OEM, so they seal perfect multiple times.

I took my DC header off at least 4-5 times throughout me owning it and not once did those crush rings leak exhaust gases. So that shows you it may be worth it to you to invest in a good quality header. I got my DC ceramic 4-2-1 new off ebay a couple years ago for 225 shipped. Never had one issue with it.

Do you have any problems clearance wise with your dc header. I heard they are pretty low.

[AbsurdNY]

Everything I've seen says the A6 & A1 (that OP has) share the SAME exhaust. The A4 exhaust is steel tube header.:

The A1 and A6 manifolds are not the same. They are both cast but the A6 is a better design then the A1. The A4 is the best option though.

[Sick1CamF22EJ1]

i don't understand why people get headers,
bigger "tubes" for the engine to exhale better ? gets you 5 extra hp

w/e you do , dont spend more than 80 bucks, youll find some ones that are like 400 bucks for nothing


just like intakes , just b/c its says AEM does not make it 200 bucks worthy, a 3' inc tube is just as good as a 10 dollar one
( filter matters )

try not to fall for that bullshit that "features " sumtin diffrent then the cheaper one ... all of it is the same

ughh, to a point, but you are way wrong my friend. No matter what less backpressure is better for an engine, once tuned for it. For the header if you get to see it in person and its a cheapo, look to see that the header tubes are welded up 100% flush and even with the flange, dont want any lips facing into the port to fuck the flow up as ive seen, ive got an f22 4-2-1 header came with my whole swap i paid $50 for. and its not all even at all. And your guy dude up there who said all CAI are the same..LOL hes clueless, he has no idea what hes speaking of. AEM CAI are alot better that some cheap huge 3inch piping nothing cai. its not all about just the size of the tube being big..lol velocity and other things come into roll. my AEM cai made helll of a lot better power band over my 3inch intake. peak hpmeans SHIT. so that 5 peak hp u get means nothing, its the broader range of power you gain that helps.

[wed3k]

ughh, to a point, but you are way wrong my friend. No matter what less backpressure is better for an engine, once tuned for it. For the header if you get to see it in person and its a cheapo, look to see that the header tubes are welded up 100% flush and even with the flange, dont want any lips facing into the port to fuck the flow up as ive seen, ive got an f22 4-2-1 header came with my whole swap i paid $50 for. and its not all even at all. And your guy dude up there who said all CAI are the same..LOL hes clueless, he has no idea what hes speaking of. AEM CAI are alot better that some cheap huge 3inch piping nothing cai. its not all about just the size of the tube being big..lol velocity and other things come into roll. my AEM cai made helll of a lot better power band over my 3inch intake. peak hpmeans SHIT. so that 5 peak hp u get means nothing, its the broader range of power you gain that helps.

true but the most important thing is from end of runner to intake valve. which is why a tapered throttle body on a ITB setup gives really quick throttle response but may lack int he upper RPM's due to volume.

[Shag Wagon]

Hi guys im new to this forum. Hopefully you will see more of me .

I have just a few questions, And I read most of the stickies so i'll try to stay away from the "WHERE DO YOU GET A NICE PART" question.

I'm looking to replace the header in my 1990 honda accord lx. I don't exactly know what to look for.

I saw Ceramic,Stainless Steel, Black powder coated(w/e that means).

What exactly do you look for in a nice header for give the best power output and performance.

My honda engine is f22a1(I believe) any advice Id appreciate it.

-Reign

Ok first off I hate to be a dick but I notice that you "beleive" you have an F22a1 but you are running around here giving wrong advice to people. I just wanted to point that out first off.

Dont get ebay. Save your money and get a ractive. I am really happy with mine and it fit VERY well and has not sprouted a leak yet. And it was only 125 shipped. Dont get Megan either...generics are the same IMO.

[Sick1CamF22EJ1]

Megan are quality parts, everyone says TO USE them on d-series.org I dont think they are gonna make them beast for one engine, and not the other.

[gloryaccordy]

Make sure u get a 2.5" collector. In fact for the $$$ I would say u should get the A4 header, and get a 2.5" collector on the end of it.

[Losiracer2]

Do you have any problems clearance wise with your dc header. I heard they are pretty low.

nope it had plenty of clearance for me, my car is lowered 2-2.25 inches.

[Reignstarz]

Ok first off I hate to be a dick but I notice that you "beleive" you have an F22a1 but you are running around here giving wrong advice to people. I just wanted to point that out first off.

Dont get ebay. Save your money and get a ractive. I am really happy with mine and it fit VERY well and has not sprouted a leak yet. And it was only 125 shipped. Dont get Megan either...generics are the same IMO.

It's cool this is a Beginner Performance forum. And im a beginner to performance parts =]. I gave advice I never said 100% on my post that "This could be" the problem. i just gave advice to people that had problems like me.

I have a 1990 honda accord lx, f22a1 and I have a 91 honda accord ex f22a4.

I'm not going to go ebay Im looking at a megan or possibly a dc header.

-Reign

[deevergote]

And the AEM and other name brand ones cost that much because they actually spent time in R&D, as opposed to the knock off companies that just took a name brand one and basically copied it...thus skipping a rather expensive production step. So you can either give your money to a company that really does shit all for the scene as far as progression goes, or pay a company for spending time to make sure their product works as efficiently as possible.

AEM does not make headers.

A large portion of the cost of the brand name products is the CARB approval... which means nothing outside of California.


The only true performance header for the F22A is the one made by Bisimoto. It is expensive, but for NA performance, worth every penny (and then some... comparable headers for other Honda engines are far more expensive).

The other aftermarket headers are about the same in terms of design. 5hp is possible. Some are better than others, but not significantly so. If you don't need CARB approval, and you don't care about brand names, you don't need to spend a ton of money. A cheap header with some good gaskets will usually do well. Megan Racing makes a decent piece for the price (the gaskets suck, but the header itself is pretty solid)

[flcb7]

From what I have READ Bisimoto and RMF is where is at. An they are both high dollar as fuck. But if you want the best you gots to pay to play. Now Im not seting this in stone so dont jump my shit for giving input.

*Note* yes I know that RMF is for H series

[keldore]

Does anyone know how much getting a custom header fabricated would cost? I have some design ideas, but I dont have access to any mandrel benders, plasma cutters or welders (not to mention I dont have any training using said items).

Edit : I was looking at the more inexpensive headers, the Megan racing one looks pretty well made, but I cant find the specs (tube size, collector size) and I cant find a picture of the actual one for the cb7, I keep finding generic pictures. Does anyone here have a megan racing header that can tell me the specs and perhaps a pic of the actual unit. Thanks.

[9threeEX]

Ok read all of that, and as usual lots of theoretical debate and big buck name dropping on a relatively isignificant part.....My ? or point would be, are you replacing the entire exhaust from head to tip? Then its probably a sound idea to spend some cash and get a decent exhaust where the entire set-up is made by one company. If you're just replacing rusted or damaged parts, then JY parts or even the ebay jobs will probably suit. I have a stainless ebay header and downpipe - got it from seller 'tuningpros' for $30 - the flange is heavy, the material and craftsmanship are really good. Its been on my car for over 2 years without a problem. However, I did use good gaskets and not the ones that came with it.