hey everyone, so I am thinking about making my first engine mod soon and I was thinking about putting comptech headers in because I figured that would give me the best hp increase. I was wondering how long this took to install? How much would it cost to get it installed on average?

Also what other engine mods are possible that are under $800 dollars? I saw the high flow cat, but I am going to wait till summer to do this, and also I am thinking about getting an intake soon as well.

What do you all think?

 

I think there are numerous threads like this one and u should search before u post a new thread.

Anyways, hold on to the intake and cat-back systems as they barely add any HP when the rest of the car is stock ,unless u just want the sound. Header is a good mod, but comptech header rattles under certain conditions. If I had $800 to spend on parts, I would buy topspeed header and Hondata reflash or TS header and hi-flow cat (ONLY if u have 04-05 TSX as they had very restrictive cats). Header alone should yild 14-15 HP, intake ~5, cat ~10-12 (after u install header on 04-05 TSX). Another great upgrade is unorthodox racing pulles. I would suggest them if u have an automatic transmission as they give a significant TQ increase.

Also keep in mind that CAI affects midrange TQ negatively, but u could buy comptech icebox.

U can get a header installed for ~$80 and no its not too hard if u have access to a shop with all the tools.

I hope that was helpful

 

Where you get these figures from?

 

Header = my own dyno and dyno from this site.

Intake = import tuner magazine

cat = this website.

Pulleys = this site and my butt dyno.




Do I need to have a proof from the university of Yale ? lol jk

 

oh my gosh thank you so much! sorry about not searching, I will definately do that before I post again

I heard the aftermarket pulles tend to cause problems to some other engine part, I can't remember what. Is this true, because I was thinking this would be a fairly simple mod I could do.

Yes, I have an 04 and thanks for the tip about comptech headers.

So I think I am going to end up buying the top speed headers unless I find otherwise on this forum.
Oh and also is the cost to install them ridiculously high? I am a car guy, but not do it myself kinda guy, so I was wondering how much it would cost to do headers and the high flow cat?

 

I have a the DC header and RT Cat for sale.. PM me for more details

 

I heard rumors that pulleys cause issues on BMW's, but some of us have been running them for more than 1 year and things are going perfectly. I would say TS header is by far the best performance per buck upgrade. It has a hissing flex pipe tho. Together with new flex pipe installed it cost me $250. Cat is fairly easy to install so I did it myself, pulleys are much harder to install and u need skills for that. I got all 3 pulleys installed for $120. I wish I had a garage....

 

I got my header installed for $100. So i believe the price range will be around $80 - $120 top.

About the cat, i asked my friend who can do the installation. He said that USUALLY, it cost only like $20. but it depends on what the cat look/built of it. but i guess it won't be more than $60.

 

where do u get the Topspeed header for 04 TSX? i search on ebay, no luck.

 

search for "tsx header" and look for the seller called tjboutique

 

got it...so does the topspeed hearder has any issues?? is the header gonna fit with the fastline performence test pipe??

 

this header will fit with the test pipe. The only issue this header has is a hissing flex pipe. This can be fixed by purchasing a new flex pipe section and welding it in the place of the one that comes on the header.

 

awesome, thanks alot guys

Are there any issues with the headers you guys have, like leaks or hissing or anything, I just don't want it to sound gross(like a crappy old car). Also, which headers are the best, I am looking at DC, topspeed, any others you can suggest?

again thanks a bunch!

 

Just buy Topspeed, its a good value. Replace the flex pipe for up to $100 and enjoy life.

 

alright, thank man, is it necessary to replace flex pipe, and where do I buy one of those? sorry if these questions sound 2nd grade

 

^ eh... ask exhaust shops, they have them. If u are ok living with hissing then go ahead. I noticed TQ gain after I fixed it

 

^ the hissing is supposed to be due to an air leak so you probably did notice a gain once a new pipe was welded in.

exhaust shops should be able to do the job and they should stock the part. if not there are places online that carry them. theres also a thread that details the exact length of flex pipe to buy.

 

Yes, I know that it was a leak.

Flex pipe has to be 6 inches long and 2 inches wide

 

so basically i will lose some TQ without replacing the pipe, does this hissing happens right away after install even its brand new? or i take some time before it wear out?

 

no no no, u lose nothing after u install header, but after u replace the flex pipe, u gain TQ

 

gotcha...also wonder would it sound raispy with header, test pipe and cat back?

 

note: the term "headers" is usually used on v6 and larger displacement engines, because they require 1 header on each side, separate pieces.
on i4 engines, only require 1 piece of the header. so the "s" might not be appropriate.

just giving some heads up haha... I am sure we all understand what you mean tho. :p

 

Correct. Most of the "V" shaped engines require 2 separate headers one on each side where as inline 4/6 engines have only 1 header


Yes, it will sound pretty raspy/farty. Try to get a resonated test pipe or high flow cat. Remember that K series engines are much raspier than older H/B/F series engines and J series motors. Its hard to get good numbers and good sound together.

 

however, i already got the test pipe, and the catback that im getting, people say its comptech knock off......still waiting on the delivery