After getting the Hondata reflash, I now want to get Comptech headers. I was just wondering how difficult it is to install headers?

I also called a couple of places and got some install prices.

1) First I called Comptech. It was funny because when I asked for a price, the guy said the install was easy and he recommended me just doing it myself. He ended up telling me $150.

2) Then I called Motorsport Dynamics. Anyone that knows the Sac area knows that this is one of the best and usually most expensive shops. They told me $100 which was lower than I expected.

3) Edit: Just got one more quote. $75 from Sacramento Motoring Accessories.

I downloaded the Comptech instructions from their website and it doesn't look too bad. But things are usually harder than them seem when it comes to installing car parts IMHO. I've never installed headers before, but I'm good at following directions and have installed all the mods in my sig.

So what would you guys do if you were in my situation?
Is the header install difficult enough that you would recommend me having someone else do it, or do you think I can do it myself?

 

As long as you have the right tools, jack stands, lifts, I would say do it yourself. Headers is just a simply bolt-on, should be fairly easy. I am planning to install one myself when it arrives in may.

-K

 

from what i've heard, headers / exhuast is pretty simple, if you have toe equipment.

 

its always about the tools

 

Well I have a full ratchet/wrench set, what other tools would be needed?

 

You can use this thread as reference. You should have a breaker bar.

 

Wow...thank you very much JTso!

That thread was created before I joined. I'm such a

 

I was just talking some more with one of my friends. He has a lot of install experience including installing a SC on his S2000.
I told him I was planning to do the header install myself and the told me I should just take it to a shop. One of the major things he warned me about was removing some of the bolts. He said since the bolts are constantly getting heated up and cooling down, they get almost welded to the engine. They are very brittle and the heads might snap right off when I'm trying to force them off with the wrench/break bar. He's worried they might snap and I would end up having to get the bolts drilled out.

Do you guys think that there is a chance of this happenning?
I have about 20000 miles on my car and have had it for about 9-10 months, do you guys think that the bolts will be extremely difficult to get off?

 

When in doubt, soak the nuts and bolts with penetrating oil before removing them. Use 6-point sockets and wrenches will lessen the chance of rounding off the corners of nuts/bolts.

 

Tsx536, where are you planning to buy your header?

 

Once again....thanks man, that's great advice.

I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna do it myself. Even though I could probably pay someone to do it, if I do it myself I'll know it's done right, I can take it off when I need to, and I'll get a great sense of satisfaction from doing it.

 

I was planning to buy it from one of the Ebay sellers. I'm still not sure if I want to get the DC or the Comptech. As of right now I'm strongly leaning towards the DC. After seeing JTso's dyno and comparing it to Comptech's, looks like the DC makes more power than the Comptech.
I would be kind of mad if I payed $200 more for Comptech only to get less power.

On the flip side, I'm a little worried about the DC headers since they're ceramic. I read in one of JTso's threads that they should be fine though because they sit pretty high up and have a lot of clearance. Another thing is that the Hondata reflash was developed using Comptech headers. I don't think would matter if I used DC headers instead of Comptech, but I'm not 100% sure.

Which headers would you guys get if money wasn't an object?
Were you thinking about getting headers Iamhomin?

 

Yeah, I've been contemplating about the headers for a while now.

As for the brand, I'm leaning more towards the DC header.

 

dc headers: $269 and change + ship at adventon.com. I'm considering them too.

 

That's a nice find. I'm in cali though, so I have to pay 8.25% tax. I'm trying to find a place not in Cali that has a good price. If anyone happens to see one, please let me know.

Hmmm....I wonder if one of the board vendors can setup a groupbuy for us.

 

Unplug the oxy sensor, it's plug is up at right rear of the engine block.
The wire has two more clips. Be sure to get an oxy sensor socket or a
line wrench that fits. Be careful with it.

You need a torque wrench to reattach the header to the head.
It's low torque, going into aluminum. I don't remember, I think
16 ft-lb but verify.

Put antiseeze on all threads.

On the DC header get the header to downpipe flange attached
before attaching the cat converter's flange. Get this flange all centered
and lined up and tighten the three bolts evenly. Once tightened,
the seals might leak if loosened and retightened, you only
get once to get it centered and lined up.

 

I paid $50 for one man-hour.

 

Not bad, most of the body shops and auto shops charge $75/HR in my area.

 

Wow...I wish I could get that price. How long did it take them?

 

An hour.

 

Wow...everyone is saying it would take longer than that. Not bad!

So what do you think about your setup so far Rmpage?

 

Well I'm still toying with the OE cat/Magnaflow/test pipe deal, so my exhaust system isn't what I want it to be just yet. As for the header, my butt dyno didn't tell me anything. Hopefully a real dyno run or three will come within the next month when I can do an OE/Magnaflow/test pipe comparison.

Anyway: The main reason I got the header is because I plan on supercharging in the future, whether it be with a bolt-on like the Comptech (if they make one for us 5MTers) or something I have custom-fit, like an intercooled Vortech unit. To prepare for the increased induction I'm trying to remove as many restrictions as possible from the entire exhaust tract.

Incidentally, since a S/C won't happen for some time, I plopped down the cash on a reflash and Injen CAI (I have the Icebox at the moment).

 

Start doing that a couple of days before your planned work. Once a day, spray them down with WD40 or something similiar. Should make things easier when the time rolls around.

James

 

^^ I appreciate all of the great advice guys. Just bought some DC headers last night!

So I should use WD 40? Or is there so other type of penetrating oil that is better?

 

Be sure to let us know how the "new" DC header works out for you.

I went with Comptech because, at the time, the DC part had a poor rapport around these parts in terms of build quality. However I recall a recent post by Stokeless that they've fixed the problem.

Given the decidedly superior gains realized by the DC header I will likely consider converting if build quality is up to snuff. It's not much money, and I can probably get close to the same amount for my Comptech header that I'll spend on the DC header.

 

JTso, Do you recommend putting the two pieces of the DC Header together before installing? Or would you recommend installing one piece at a time?

Is there a certain penetrating oil you recommend, or is WD-40 just fine for everything including the O2 sensor?

TIA...!

 

I might be asking you for a reference...though I'm thinking that you got that deal because you bring a lot of your parts to that shop to install right?

My Dad and I installed the Greddy SS 4-2-1 Header into my Integra when it had like 150,000+ miles on it. The bolts weren't too bad from what I can remember, but it was the wedging in and out of the header that slowed things up. The Header was a one piece too so it didn't require assembling. I think it took about 2-3 hours to do just because we didn't have a lift. Overall though, it wasn't too bad from what I can remember. If it costs under $100 for someone else to do it, I probably would go that route because I don't have that much free time these days. I may even just do the whole CAI/Header/Catback installed at the same time next year. I'm thinking that a shop would give me a better deal if I brought everything in for them to install at one time.

 

Nah, their standard rate is anything from $55-$65 an hour for anybody, no favoritism. Since the part fit perfectly and they didn't have to go looking for crap on the internet (hooray for Comptech build quality) they gave me the low rate, plus a little less since both myself and the guy I work with are veterans and we hook each other up.

This was before I approached them about the suspension install. They're just a bunch of good guys. I got a real good vibe when I went into their shop for the first time and ended up sitting around BSing with them for a while.

www.enhancedstreetperformance.com

 

Hey Tsx536...
Give us an update on your header install.
Did you just use WD-40?

 

Sorry about the late response 3Pedal. Just noticed this thread while searching for my DC pics.
I used penetrating oil. I recommend spraying it on while the engine is still warm. I tried to spray it on while the engine was cold and it didn't seem like it did much.