alright my exhaust manifold is making baaaad noises... time for a header. I just spent 3 hours reading about them but need to know where to go from here. I love top end so I'm going for a 4-1 (yes I know there is no diff)..

I need to know what brand to get and where to get it! $300 to spend.. 4-1 and I need something durable. what affiliate will give me a good price? or anywhere else?! need it immediately

also, labour.. I was quoted $80. is that reasonable? I think its a bit extraordinary.

 

labor?!?! Do it urself man, its super-easy, 9 bolts on the head, 2 underneat on a bracket and 2 more at the cat.
But if you are doing it with just a jack and stands it will be easier to you to use a 2 peice header as apposed to a one peice. Its a PITA to try and get a 1 peice in place from under the car while on jack stands...trust me, its not impossible but it takes some effort.
As for gettin a decent header for $300 i would look for a used one. I got my DC 4-1 in practically new condition for $250. Make a "Want To Buy" thread and see what happens. A DC header new is gunna cost at least $425 and DC would be the cheapest brand i would get.

 

Vibrant I guess is decent?? and cheap

as long as you don't end up with SSAutochrome or OBX or Ractive, I think you should be okay.

Others that come to mind are Chikakara from Heddman Headers... and Hooker Headers also may make some. In this case, given the low exchange, I'd order from Summit in the USA.

 

Hedman's Chakara header was tested against DC Sports, Vibrant, Reactive, Airmass,Skunk 2 and Tannabe and it came out on top for power gains. They were tested in Sport Compact Car. At $218.00 you really can't beat it.

 

really?

I have Chikara headers and they have been good. If you can afford it, do the Stainless header, cuz mine look so butt from the oxidation.

Performance improvements. 200 bucks.

Beware shops that pretend that the O2 sensor won't come off, OR that they've threaded the sensor making it unusable. They'll make ya buy another O2 sensor from them.

 

Coat your header after you get it.

 

Esmond, good call on the O2 deal... I took out two original O2s from 1990 engines, both came out. Invest in an O2 sensor socket from CT, it's only $21.

 

i broke an o2 sensor :cry: now the whole is filled with a nut...

 

sweet
Chikara from performance improvements it is.. thanks everyone, you guys are the biggity bomb!!

I might need some guidance on the install.. will keep ya posted.

 

nova any reccomendation on what to coat with?

 

get the highest temp paint you can get from a pro-paint shop (like Glidden, Color your World, or something like that... prolly would be best to find a VHT dealer). Figure on about 1500 degrees F DIRECT heat. or you can have it ceramic coated $$$$ by Jethot Coatings $$$

 

Fireball Coatings In Shelborne 250 for an Import Header

 

My gasket just went at the Y pipe connection. My Chikara's were 3.5 months old. I'm not sure what caused it, but if this is a problem with chikara's, then get performance improvements to get you a replacement on e ahead of time (11 bucks). I tried a few exhaust shops and even went to motorcade to get a replacement and they dont have them. So now my car's chillin until tuesday when it comes in. Just a head's up for ya...

And DEFINITELY coat it with a high temp paint. The crap that comes on them is garbage. It was flaking off when i got them and burned off on my drive home. i think the only reason they put it on is to protect the headers during shipping / stock rooms. I didn't coat mine and they look like *** now.

Oh ya...its funny to watch old people's expressions when you tell them you have Hedman Headers on you Civic...

 

YA I FORGOT THAT GO WITH A MR GASKET ULTRA SEAL GASKETS CAUSE ALL PAPER ONES SUCK (THAT'S WHAT COMES WITH THE CHAKARA HEADER.

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa...hold up. What are these Mr Ultra Gaskets and have you used one on a Chikara header? Because every gasket I found in my search wouldn't fit (the majority of the time it was because the two down pipes on chikara's are farther apart and the gaskets were for headers with the two pipes closer together)

 

performance improvements.

Copper exhaust manifold gaskets. Do it, Do it.

for the Y pipe connection, use the paper one, cuz they don't have em, but make sure you use that gucky orange exhaust sealant. No leaks been 3 years.

 

i'll look for the part number and my bill when i get home.

 

what I meant was that the Mr Gasket seal is made of copper for your head/header. The one that connects 4 into 1 is NOT made by Mr. Gasket. I don't think there is anyone who has it. So for that second 4 into 1 or 4 into 2 connector, use the one Chikara gave you and use high temp exhaust silicone thingy and ****** it all around that flange area.

Who wants to hook me up with Auto terminologies for Dummies?


That's what my mechanic did and it stopped leaking.

 

You have a brand name for the exhaust silicone thingy? I'm replacing the 4 into 2 gasket on Wednesday.

 

Loctite Permatex
Ultra Copper High Temp Silicone Sealant

Try CT, or any other parts supplier and its in Shiny gold coloured tube.

Hope this helps.