I just finished up my Comptech Header and RT Cat installation. As far as difficulty... really not that bad if you have a few tools not found it the basic automotive set.

Here is what I used.
Impact
17mm, 14mm, and other various impact sockets
7/8" Box end wrench (for O2 sensors)
1/2" universal joint for impact
1/2" extensions
Breaker bar
Torque Wrench (set to 44 ft lbs for the header)
Comptech SS Header
various other sockets (10 mm ?? for the heat shield on the OEM cat)
New header gasket
2 Napa gaskets for between the RT cat and cat back exhaust

(Note: If you live in the salt belt like I do, clean the rust off the bolts and nuts)

1. Jacked front of car up. Put jack stands underneath.
2. Removed header heat shield.
3. Removed bolts from around the OEM Cat heat shield
4. Loosened all the header bolts using the breaker bar
5. Used my impact to remove all the bolts from the joint at the cat and cat back exhaust.
6. Used my impact to remove the 2 spring bolts at the joint between the header and flex pipe (just under the junction of the 4-1 pipe)
7. Removed the cat (still joined to the head flex pipe) and flex pipe and O2 sensors.
8. Removed all the bolts/nuts off of the header
9. Removed the header.
10. Assembled the RT cat to the Comptech header with Comptech's supplied gasket (make not in the pic, the O2 sensor is facing too low, so don't torque down the bolts between the header and RT Cat just yet).
11. Jacked car higher in the air. Adjusted jack stands in place.
12. Wrapped header in a towel and wrapped towel with tape (do not let the tape touch the header)
13. Slide (CAREFULLY) the Header and RT Cat assembly under car
14. Put new header gasket in place
15. Rotated RT cat and header assembly up into place and onto its studs.
16. Reused OEM rubber hanger.
17. Put remaining bolts and 2 Napa exhaust gaskets in place between Cat and Cat back exhaust.
18. Torqued down the header bolts/nuts to 44 ft lbs (most can be done from above. You'll need a long and short socket for this)
19. Put O2 sensors back into place.
20. Positioned RT Cat and sensor so that it is perpendicular to the ground.
(Hint, spin the O2 sensor while out so the wires bind in the opposite direction of installation. This way when you put the O2 in, the wires will be unwound).
21. Tightened everything up.
22. Let the car down and took for a ride.

NO CELs FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

Here are some photos:






Initital impressions:

Absolutely more low end torque. The car, with a Comptech SS Cat back is significantly louder, but it seems to be better tuned and not so mumbled. It sounds like a race car, but worth it. I didn't take any video because I was rushed doing a stereo install on my buddy's 04 GTO, but the pics speak for themself. There is a definite increase in the VTEC jump... meaning you definitely feel it now. As a daily driver, I have the quiet tips in, but the responsiveness is still there.

Without a doubt, the most significant change to the performance of the car.

More observations to come when the summer tires get installed.

 

Looks great. About time you installed those parts.

 

Looks really nice! No more bottle necks?

 

looks great!!

 

Nice instruction. I will order Comptech header soon when I am ready.

 

Nice installs! I would recommend moving the O2 sensor slightly higher to approx. 9 o'clock position to avoid potential damage from speed bumps or debris on the road. :cough: gsclifton

 

wow those stock headers = ugly

 

HAHAHA... yeah between you can CCColts, I've had a few ppl pressuring me to put these parts on.

 

DEFINITELY not. You can tell the engine feels unrestrained now. Not sure if that is the header or the cat. Either way, the pressure coming out the tailpipes is significantly stronger.

 

Yeah, I did that for picture's sake. I rotated it upward once I got done snapping a few.

The PITA was how much rust had built up on the OEM bolts in the year I had the cat back exhaust on. I just my pneumatic dremel and wire brush to clean them off. Still had a beyatch of a time getting the bolt at 7 o'clock (if looking forward) because of the exhaust bend eventhough I had an impact universal joint.

The headers themself were a lot easier to get off than I expected. I had read the VTEC.net instructions about 10 times over the course of having these parts in my basement. Don't know why I was so nervous about it.

 

I know. In the words of my buddy (who's red GTO was just behind me as I was snapping those photos), "Isn't that cat just.... cute [sarcastically stated]."

They are also a bit heavier too.

 

Nice write up.....maybe you'll get a chance to take a video so we can all hear the sound difference (hint, hint)

 

If you have a Comptech, there is a bit of exhaust "mumble" from the rear seat area (just the exhaust tone). Well, that effective goes away (for whatever reason) and now it is just race car, damn loud.

I put my quiet tips in so as not to piss off the wife and make my son (who I take to in-laws everyday to be watched) go deaf.

Seriously... with the hi-flow cat, Comptech header and cat back, this car sounds like a race car now.

 

werd... haha its like damn cover that oem header with a cloth or somthing...

Niice quick writeup and install

 

your thread definately has me wanting new headers

 

Talk to Excelerate. He sold me mine.

What I like the most is having Stainless Steel from the header to the tip of the exhaust.

 

i just dont want to get a CEL so I am leary of doing the CAT mod.

 

Damn. Its about time you got that installed. Glad to hear you like it. I need to get a header now. I need to make my engine feel unrestrained too.

Jiggaman, you will not get a CEL with the CAT. I havent got any yet. Just make sure to get the 2 gaskets from Napa and 1 from Acura. Thats all I did.

 

And if you do the Comptech Header, the give you the 1 gasket with it. All you would need (optional) is the header gasket and the 2 Napa gaskets.

 

Great writeup Moda_way

I'm glad to see that you finally got those parts on. It's always exciting installing new parts, especially ones that you've had sitting around for a little bit. Enjoy them, and keep us updated on your butt dyno impressions

I was also worried about getting a CEL with the RT Cat, but also have not gotten one. Comptech installed one of their gaskets in between the RT CAT and exhaust and I would definitely recommend for everyone to do this.

 

Great write-up, Moda. I was wondering why you kept mentioning, from time to time, that you still had your header and cat lying around leaking horsepower into the atmosphere by the day.

Your description of the sound of your car is exactly what I want. Damn damn damn, now I'm going to have to get a Comptech cat-back system for $800. Damn AcuraZine!

 

Yeah, ppl keep reminding me of how long they sat in my basement... not sure why.

Seriously, if you tote your boy around at all, you will want some quite tips. It really sounds like World Challenge TC TSXs.

 

Damn love it man, im glad you got those finally on. I didnt think you'd get to quite yet but im glad you jumped at the opportunity.

Now you have to take me for a spin in your car this time

 

Nice dood...Im itchin to get those CT headers...

 

Stop itchin and get them. I can't tell you how perfect the fit and finish were. Very quality piece of hardware for sure. The engine really does "loosen" up.

I noticed a difference on decel too. The car didn't waste any time decelerating... like the engine was more free. Odd sensation, like when you get a lightweight flywheel, but not as drastic.

 

Anytime man. You have more mods to do and I have a feeling I know who you'll get to help you with them.

I'll take the quiet tips out when the wifey isn't around.

 

Why is the stock header looks soooo Red in the first picture??? Are they still hot when you take them off??

 

The flash hightlighted the rust.

Road Salt + Water + bare metal = surface rust

 

moda_way : I appreciate your detailed description of the way the Comptech header and rt cat sound when used with the Comptech Catback but do you have any idea of how it would sound with just the stock catback?

 

My guess is louder as well, but more quiet than the Comptech exhaust. I thought a few other forum members did the RT cat with the stock exhaust.

 

Great
Did you need any modification or welding?
Was the bung for the O2 sensor already mounted on the RT cat?

Thanks.

 

I have the Comptech header with stock cat and cat-back. I'd have to say it got noticably louder under WOT, but in a good way. It seems to compliment the Injen CAI deep growl.

 

Hahaha... me and welding... not the best combo. Everything was ready to go, I just assembled it.

 

Awesome. Thanks for your insight.

 

gosh moda you wouldnt happen to have aftermarket spare headers, cat and cat-back laying around in that basement would you

I want these now!

 

Haha, those things were sitting there so long they practically could've conceived and birthed a new set. LOL

Trust me, you really want both. The header alone doesn't get much. The cat alone doesn't get much. However, I don't think you'd really need to swap out the cat back unless you wanted to. I personally didn't notice a HUGE improvement from my cat back... a little more responsiveness and 1st gear low end torque, but again, not much. My current baseline is racing my buddy's 2000 Prelude, which after the cat back, the results were the exact same... neither pulled on one another. He and I have known each other for years and have been racing each other for those years too.

 

I agree. I just have the RTcat. And I dont feel any gains at all. And for the sound, I just hear the injen intake. I think the header will compliment the intake and cat. Now thats what I need to get.

 

I'll say it again, "get the Header." It is a beautiful piece of art and totally worth it IMO.

 

Maxim > Toda > Comtpech

In terms of being artwork.

 

Maxim > Toda > Comptech > Comtpech