Audioserf

I decided to pull the trigger on a Topspeed header tonight - my only problem is with none of the eBay listings naming the header by brand, I wasn't sure which one to go with.

I bought this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=300163458187

Can anyone take a look at that and let me know if I bought the right item? For all intents and purposes it seems right, but then when I look at a listing for "OBX Header", the description reads almost exactly the same, and I do not want OBX.

Thanks for any help... I hope I don't have too hard a time getting my money back if this is the wrong part.

aaronng

This one is the Topspeed: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Acura...QQcmdZViewItem

Audioserf

That's what I thought, I've been looking at all the listings and trying to figure this out. I've reached out to the seller to see if he's agreeable to cancelling the transaction. Hopefully it works out and I can buy the correct Topspeed.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

aaronng

Topspeed ones don't have branding on the header. So the one you bought "might" be a topspeed, but it can always be the OBX. The ebay link I gave you is the Topspeed one because one of our forum members bought it and it came with everything aligned and the edges smoothened out where the flange meets the piping. After installation and running, the flex pipe was fine and not leaking.

Suntzu

I got this one last week. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=300155866021

I asked in advance if it was a topspeed and it was. THEN I ordered after confirming. Might pay to do that from now on.

The header was a perfect fit and no hissing as yet. All good.

Audioserf

Can anyone tell me where their Topspeed header shipped from? I was never able to get in touch with the seller and he has already shipped my header. He shipped from Dallas, TX though - if I remember correctly, that's where the Topspeed headers tend to ship from? So I might be okay after all.

HoRRo

Yes, from Texas.

Suntzu

Mines from Texas, as I recall it had topspeed on the box..I think..

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Heh, $10 says the OBX and Topspeed are the same thing.

aaronng

Could be, but someone else in Aus bought the header when they first came out (without the Topspeed branding), and the piping did not line up with the flange, had excess metal all around from machining and a leaky flex pipe which cracked. It didn't even line up with the flange on the cat!

Audioserf

Well from what you say, aaronng, it'll at least be easy for me to see if it's going to work or not as soon as I take it out of the box. I've got my fingers crossed for the Topspeed... that'll learn me to impulse-purchase things on the internet!

HoRRo

Sadly not, I've seen them both side by side and installed. The OBX has poor fitment, did not look at the welds though, will have to check again later, as the OBX is just sitting on the floor at my friend's place.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

The difference in price between cheap taiwan and china parts has more to do with consistency of the quality than overall quality. In other word, they both might look great but one might be more prone to fitment problems or cracking.

Suntzu

Thats exactly what I thought.So I accepted and assumed a reasonable risk when I imported my topspeed to australia. Its working out well and fits perfect. Very little hiss at all.

For 1/5 of the price of a decent header i though ti was worth the risk. And it was.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Hehe, Modification Triangle...

Cheap - Fast - Good

You can only have two at once. Topspeed might not be the "best" but for the price it sure works.

aaronng

Yeah, with the Topspeed, you get Cheap and Good. Performance-wise, it's nothing compared to a Toda header with a cat (Fast and Good)

Audioserf

Kinda like women?

Cute, Single, Sane - pick two.

;-) I'll update the thread tomorrow when UPS drops my headers off at my office.

aaronng

I got my Cute and Sane one. I'm pretty happy now.

MrHeeltoe

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm, I was under the impression the performance was "fast" with TS, but the quality was not so much "good." Maybe at best we get cheap, and 50/50 between good and fast Still equals 3.

Anyway, it is a practical way to look at things.


My general opinion is, this is not a cheap car...why fit it with cheap parts?

Audioserf

Just got the box, it says Topspeed. I'll post impressions after I install it, along with my RT Cat, on Sunday. On an 04 I'm looking forward to some noticable gains.

jlukja

Your gains will be noticeable.

TommySalami

I thought the toda one didn't have a cat

aaronng

The Toda comes from Japan with a test pipe. But we don't believe in test pipes here in Australia because we prefer not to be $10,000 poorer. So what we do is weld a highflow car (usually Metalcat) to the same dimensions as the testpipe. Easiest is to chop the test pipe up and use the ends on the Metalcat. Toda Australia sells the Toda headers for the CL9 with the custom cat I described above. Hence the kits we get are Toda Headers + High Flow Cat instead of a test pipe.

aaronng

It is faster than stock. But nowhere as nice as a Toda or Maxim. To compare, a CL9 with Toda headers and just a piggyback VAFCii altering only A/F ratios (leaving ignition and vtec point as is), pulls in 3rd gear as hard as a stock CL9 does in 2nd gear. That and the fact that the engine doesn't feel like it is dying when it is at 5000-6000rpm.

kyotousa

Because it's quality cheap parts.... lol

CGTSX07

haha, nice!! let us know how the fitment is, I didn't realize this header was so cheap until I saw this post.

snYpz

guys just checking...is this item the topspeed header?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Acura...spagenameZWD2V

Audioserf

Hmmm - it looks like it, but unless they dropped prices and I didn't notice during my eBay perusals, it could be OBX. I thought the Topspeed tended to run $174+shipping, usually. I know mine did when I posted this thread last year.

Glad to see the search function helping people.

luder917

iTrader: (1)

JDM Style Top Speed Pro-1 High quality T-304 Stainless Steel with TIG Welding Exhaust Header , All Mandrel bent tubing to ensure smooth air flow, CNC Machined Flanges Exhaust Headers increase efficiency & performance over the factory headers.

says that in the link

MMsTSX

wow.
price difference between this and japanese headers is amazing.
it is like a 10x price increase.

I had no idea it was this cheap.

good deal for you guys!

Audioserf

Well it's only a good deal if you're prepared to purchase a quality (Vibrant, etc) double-braided flexpipe and have it welded into the Topspeed header. I've done that and couldn't be happier with it. Before replacing the flexpipe, it hissed obnoxiously and made my car sound like some beater...

snYpz

thanks guys!
Audioserf, nice useful thread you got started

Yeah i will definitely get a new flex pipe. If anyone knows where i can source the right flex pipe that would be awesome.

The topspeed header i purchased was for some reason cheaper. The other headers he was selling was 179+ as mentioned earlier. Guess im lucky considering the item description and shipping cost is exactly the same!

04-6mt-atx

iTrader: (2)

I bought a TS header and had the same blown flexpipe that hissed and affected accel. When mine blew, Iknew I could weld in a better flexpipe or buy CT header had the itch for anyway. I went w/ CT and could not be happier.

valeratj

I just ordered mine. Does it remove cat or should I order a testpipe ?

lcrazyaznl

iTrader: (1)

headers go before the cat so you can keep your oem one.

valeratj

I know but weapon r header also remove cat. I was just curious if this one does the same