i thinking of putting on a set of headers for my 03 cl-s with an icebox but not sure which headers i should put

i was thinking of putting the obx headers that i saw on ebay for 299 but then i hear ppl have alpha werks so i checked those and there going for 429.
comptech is not an option for me since they are 1200.


i cant really find what im looking for in the search option about obx

so i would like to know for those ppl who have obx headers do you feel power gains and how is the quality of the welds(since i hear stories of cracking) and how does the installation part go

 

Hi there noob, try the search function, this topic has been discussed more than the presidential election

 

looks like he searched to me

 

if i wasn't getting comptech i would get alpha werks headers.

 

I have had my obx headers installed for probably about 3 or more years now. No problems thus far... I have checked them when the car was lifted and didn't see any rust or anything.

Only complaint would be at certain rpm ranges they make a funny resonance sound but you will get used to it after a while.

 

1) All the headers have similar gains. They all mimic the CTs.

2) OBX have had issues with fitment and cracking, but may be rare.

3) AW headers are brand new and noone can say anything about the long-term effects.

 

The install is a pain as the parts aren't machined perfectly.
The gains are very noticeable, and satisfying.
The durability seems fine.

The resonance at various rpm ranges is annoying
The razz in the exhaust at idle sounds almost V8ish - it's nice.

For $300 - they're worth it - just don't expect perfection.

 

you get what you pay for, get comptech

 

 

Probably one of the best replies in here. Short, sweet, and to the point with just facts listed (no personal opinions).

The only thing I'll add is that I've had the OBX headers for over 2 years now (through two brutal NY winters) and they look as good as day one. No fitment issues, no problems so far....

 

I've had my comptech's for less than a year through half of an NJ winter and they certainly look nothing like day one .. day one they were nice and clean and shiny stainless steel ..

now they are very discolored .. but that is normal, the heat does it.

I don't see how yours cold look as good as day one

 

Stick with alphawerks. Yes i know its to soon to know if they will have problems, but i bet even comptech has had problems. No header out there is 100% perfect.

 

^^comptech might not be perfect, but i have heard less problems from them, then out of all their is for our cars.

 

Yeah? Search the forum .. I'd challenge you to find one reported problem with a comptech set of headers ........

actually I can think of ONE that I have EVER read. A weld cracked and comptech sent the guy a brand new set no questions asked.

Obviously the guys that make the headers aren't the same guys that make the springs ..

or should I say MADE the springs *cough*new ones are eibach*cough*

 

Yes the Comptech headers are top notch quality. I assume they make these in-house. May be one of the few parts that they actually make themselves. They are nice. If you can afford them get them. The copies have been hit or miss I believe.

 

I have OBX no problems so far.

 

I have the original stones. They have installed and performed flawlessly.

 

go with the comptech. You will not regret the purchase. save money over the next three months and you will not feel the hit that hard. It's worth it!!

 

The OBX come new with a bronze metal finish to them... and they're still the same color today as they were when I installed them over 2 years ago.

 

Comptech hasn't had one problem with their headers since their first batch when they were released about 4 years ago. The first run had a resonance problem.... after that... they've been perfect. So yes, they are the most expensive.... but they are by far the best quality headers on the market.

 

To be honest... if AW, OBX or Stone were available when I purchased my headers, I would have bought one of those instead of the Comptech - largely due to $$$ reasons. I can fix/modify any defects, so it wouldn't bother me. On the other hand... I don't regret buying the Comptech's for several reasons: Quality, fit & finish, and CARB certification.

I've had the Comptech manifolds on since I had 600 miles on the car... no problems whatsoever.

 

Just get some headers...you wont be disappointed

 

Are OBX,Stone, or Alpha Werks CARB certified?

 

No.

 

No

 

comptech at this point is nothing but a bunch of scam artists....charging 3-4 times their competitors for a product that doesnt out perform. yes, their welds are cleaner and yes, no one has ever had a fitment issue with comptech...but for that kind of an upcharge, they can kiss my ass, there is no reason on earth that they should be charging that much, the knock off brands even use the SAME stainless steel grade, so what the hell? comptech is losing steam....they either need to re-engineer their headers to be more powerful or offer more gains somehow to justify their price...or they need to drop their price. this is simple business practices 101. they are lagging way behind. after having the market cornered for awhile by having the only available honda V6 headers....they have dropped the ball. their competitors products are MORE than adequate and at the price, no one in their right mind should consider comptech headers at this point...for what? to brag about the name? because thats all you get...the name...and cleaner welds that no one will ever see....

 

i am sure if they lowered the price they would overtake all the other companies, but they still seem to be selling quite amount at the price they are at now.

 

i would LOVE to see a sales chart showing their monthly units sold for the last few years and see just how bad the drop off was once OBX was released...and then how it continued to drop as Stone came out and now AlphaWorks. i bet the drop is substantial....

 

thanks for all the comments, i think ill just go with the obx headers
did anyone order them off ebay i wanna know how long it takes to get to my door

 

so what does it mean if its not CARB certified?

 

CARB is California Air Resources Board. In CA, if an aftermarket part is not CARB approved, you can't add to your car and pass Smog check or register. Because CARB is so darn strict there are other states that will accept this certification for aftermarket parts.

CA sucks when it comes to this type of stuff.

 

Some folks will tell you to piss on the visual inspection and you better have your bases covered if you are thinking that way. I know people that have gotten tagged by road-side inspections. The CHP hauled a bunch of replicar Shelby Cobras away one day that didn't meet smog regs.

The Comptech stuff is expensive, but the Comptech headers on my car have been trouble free and are CARB legal and have a nice CARB E.O. number stamped on them.


You should weight the options expressed in the thread and some of this may come down to how much cash you have and how handy you are with a wrench (IOW, do you mind removing non-CARB headers at smog check time?)

IMO, the Comptech headers are really well made and if you've ever had a set of crappy mild-steel ones, you'll appreciate the excellent craftmanship combined with stainless steel. (Just make sure you put them on -- if you are mechanically inclined -- or get someone with experience who will torque them up right and make sure they don't leak.)

If you want to save some bucks, just realize that there are going to be some possible comprimises: smog, quality (depending on batch or model), and price. If you are the type of person that dreads even thinking about doing a job twice, take a pass on less-expensive header alternatives.

If you enjoy a challenge and can look at the positive side of learning more about the inside of the car by doing a job a few times yourself -- I'm not kidding, there are benifits to learning "the hard way" -- you should get the OBX or wait for the AW units. (You'll save $$$ and learn more about your car.)

IMO, you have a really good set of opinions to look over in the previous postings and this is worth presenting AGAIN:

^^

 

I forwarded your letter and Comptech said they are going to be calling you in the next few days for more information. They said they never thought about any of your points and wanted to pay you a $1000/hr to help them get their shit together. I'm not sure about kissing your ass tho. I think they would insist on having one of their Q/A people – who doubles as a weld inspector – to give your rear-end a full inspection and cleaning before proceeding. (Once you straighten them out on their overkill-build and anal-compulsive-overbuild-insano mentality, I'm sure they will comply with your every butt slurping request.)


BTW, I'm heading off to therapy after removing my Comptech's for the 88th time to show some vagrants the perfect welds in the headers. I just couldn't figure out why they didn't show any interest in the welds and only were interested in some food. I just don't get it, they told me I could pay for 300 Big Macs -- for them -- if I had only been "reasonable" and purchased the OBX headers.

 

 

Or better yet try and get them used.

 

anybody know where that 429 price of the alpha werk header's were at? now i see it being 475........