shaang

Well folks, looks like the Comptech SS header produces better gains than the DC:

http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...icle_id=434209

handsomegorge

i saw that too, amazing.... this whole time everyone on this forum thought comptech header only makes 5whp but turns out to be 10whp

shaang

I believe it had something to do with comptech's original dyno on a dyno dynamics machine. Its good to now be able to see two dyno's of the comptech and DC on the same car with the same mods(w/ the exception of the Hondata reflash).

Tsx536

Wow...very interesting. Looks like Comptech is a good header too. Since I already have DC and they said the performance difference is negligible I'm not going to change, but I think anyone who is looking to get headers should go with the Comptech if they can afford it.

handsomegorge

if vtec can get 193 whp with only hondata, intake gasket, comptech header and aem short ram.....

i should be able to break 210whp with hondata, intake gasket, injen cai, comptech header, high flow cat, and single exhaust............

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

as soon as i get my holiday bonus .... comptech header

jiggaman

yeah i think its time for me to buy those comptech headers now

peter_bigblock

Not having re-baselined the car for the Comptech dyno, it looks like it makes about 3.5 hp and 4 lb-ft more than the DC. That's probably within the margin of error for not re-baselining, though. Sounds like it comes down to the Comptech being superior quality and performance, but same seat-of-the-pants. DC Sports is about $225 cheaper but has some durability issues that may or may not be solved with a $10 weld job.

Tough call, the difference almost buys you a high-flow cat -- hard to beat the DC bang-for-buck but Comptech is clearly superior quality. I'm waiting and thinking, waiting and thinking.

Tsx536

^^ Well I have the DC header and got it welded up for 10 bucks before I installed it. I'm definitely not changing mine out. That install was kind of a b*tch and plus Temple of Vtec said "Little to no performance benefit vs less costly alternative".

If I were you guys though. I would get the Comptech if you can afford it. Even with my welds, I still worry about it a little bit. Headers are not something that I like to switch a lot and the extra money gives you a little extra peace of mind.

Peter does bring up a good point though. You could buy a lot of stuff for the extra money including an Injen intake. Just depends if you're willing to take a little risk.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Keep in mind you can't judge performance base on "peak" numbers. If a product only provide gain at the upper 7000 rpm range, which means you have to rev it that high to realize the gain. Try look at the entire curve instead.

peter_bigblock

That's true. At least we have fairly comparable analyses of the Comptech and DC products by TOV, now we can all make informed decisions about what's the best combination of costs & benefits to each.

I'm still leaning towards the DC product because, like I said, I can also buy the Random cat and together they're about the same as the Comptech header.

jiggaman

if something is going to go wrong it will happen to me, therefor i will definately spend more and get the piece of mind that comes with that = comptech

RMATIC09

Where exactly do you ask the shop to "weld " the dc sports header?

Tsx536

I have detailed info and pics from my header install here. Jtso also has a great thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...8&page=3&pp=25

You can ask the weld shop to smooth out the welds if you want, but I heard it is actually stronger if they are left as bigger points like mine.

mg7726

well the comptech headers won't break on you...

peter_bigblock

Let's test that -- has anyone had quality problems with the Comptech stainless steel headers? Just curious, can't hurt to ask.

peter_bigblock

I looked at the two curves (DC & Comptech on TOV) and, except for the fact that the Comptech curve also has the Hondata reflash, they're identical. They depart at 5k due to the reflash. Still hard to compare two dynos done that far apart in time, but it looks like the dynos actually bear out what Jeff wrote -- the two products produce practically identical gains and the choice is down to stainless steel vs. lower price.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the DC and get it welded, and get the Random Tech cat with the difference -- sounds like that's good for 8-10 hp.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Since the condition has changed so much (Hondata reflash), the two dyno charts can't really be used for comparison. Unless the DC header is dyno again with the Hondata reflash.

handsomegorge

true that

peter_bigblock

JTso, you have the DC Sports header, yes? Happy with it in terms of performance? I just ordered mine from Excelerate, hopefully here within a week -- I'll post another dyno after I install to compare pre- and post-header.

handsomegorge

so here's the dyno with hondata and dc sports....

http://www.vtec.net/articles/article...sx_hondata.gif

Comptech header is the official winner by 2 hps LOL

so the conclusion we draw from this thread is that:
dc sports = 8whp = 10hp at the crank
comptech = 10whp = 12hp at the crank

with hondata reflash

JTso

iTrader: (2)

I believe I was the first member to have the DC header when it first came out. No problem so far but I did weld up the rear flange just in case. I'm satisfied with the performance, but I'm also open to something better if available.

nikos

In my opinion even from a reputable website like TOV, I would consider that information with a grain of salt. There are many factors that affect these numbers.

Personally, I feel that both headers are very restricting and better gains can be found with custom headers but K pro is essential to realize the gains.

Zasker1

The header dyno is impressive, its pretty sad that Comptech's own dyno is so disapointing.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

That's so odd that this whole time everyone has thought the Comptech header made less power but it actually makes more. It kind of went against the norm for Comptech b/c most of their products make more hp than everyone else's on the market. Either way, let me know if you guys want either of the headers b/c I sell both.

RMATIC09

Im still confused as to where you weld, can anyone help a noob out and use some drawings....becuase i want to pick these up....

peter_bigblock

You may be right, but I think we're talking two different levels of modification interest here. For my part, anyway, I'm interested in mild modification at fairly low cost without sacrificing the reliability that I bought the car for in the first place. Things like custom headers, and K-pro if it's ever available, are beyond my desires.

Is 8 hp going to make my life better or my car that much faster? No, but half the fun is doing the mods and going to the dyno and seeing the gains. The other half is having a TSX that's a little quicker, or faster, or just different, than the average. For $300 (for the DC header), it works for me.

Tsx536

Read this homie
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...8&page=2&pp=25

RMATIC09

thanks,

RMATIC09

another quick question, i saw someones install of a heat gasket, i think it was JTSO's , it seemed complicated, is removing/installing the gasket part of the headerinstall....?

Tsx536

No problem man.

No, the Hondata heatshield gasket goes on the intake manifold (front of the engine block) while the headers go on the exhuast manifold (rear of the engine block).

handsomegorge

heatshield gasket is quite easy to install, dont believe any of the hype that it's hard

RMATIC09

thanks alot kenny

handsomegeorge, the reason i ask is becuase i woudlent do any of the installs myself, but i woudlent want the shop i go to to open up my engine unless i knew for a fact they knew what they were doing, which i dont.

mesherm

anyone have a sound clip of their tsx with the dc header? i just got my tsx and im looking to add an intake and a header. seems like dc is just as good as comptech for a lot less $$.

Also, what short ram would you guys suggest i use with the dc header?

thanks

-noob

peter_bigblock

Heatshield gasket involves opening up the engine a little (removing the intake manifold, draining coolant, etc.). Installing the header is super easy. Just unbolt the old "header" and bolt in the new header. They're both pretty straightforward, though.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Just get a CAI and install it in SR mode if you want. You still have the option to convert it to CAI if desire without buying another intake.

GSGOMEZ

That's interesting story about the stock header, DC sporsts and Comptech on Vtec. I am considering to purcahse DC sports or Comptech, but for the quality, I might go with Comptech but If DC sports came with good quality and repair some issue then I will go with DC sports. I have DC sports for my 94 accord in about 5 years and still run good.

GSGOMEZ

That's interesting story about the stock , DC sports and Comptech header from Vtec. I am considering to purchase DC sports or Comptech, but for the quality, I might go with Comptech but If DC sports came with good quality and repair some issue then I will go with DC sports. I have DC sports for my 94 accord in about 5 years and still run good. I want to purchase upgrade header and Tanabe exhaust system someday in 2006.

eg4

does both headers fit on the original catalytic converter?

rmpage

Yes they do. Almost any bolt-on is designed to be interchangeable with a stock part without needing anything else changed.