Im installing my new XS- Power headers and down pipe and was wondering if there is a gasket at the point where the down pipe meets the cat? If so does this need to be replaced? Thanks for the help!

 

Yes there should be a gasket of os oems sort, either a crush o rig or a flat gasket.

If there is no recess meant for the circular gasket then you are looking at a flat gasket style.

 

Lol so I guess Scotty doesn't know. Lol

 

haha so clever lol . Yea there are groves where the o ring that came with them go. with that suffice for the seal then?

 

A new one will.

 

Yea always use a new o ring crush washer every time. Make sure u tighten those bolts down good. Don't be gentle lol I have seen them come out on a couple cars actually... Hondas

 

So i had a wonderful time this weekend installing the XS power headers for the 6 spd. Found out my bolts mounting the A pipe to the Cat were welded. So that was fun. Disassembled everything finally, to find that the bend in the rear header didn't clear the motor mount. Sooo i jacked the engine up, loosened up the motor mount, got the rear header to fit, that put the mount back together. Now it was time to install the down pipe, but that didn't clear the drive shaft. So the part doesn't fit. Has any other 6spd had this type of problem before? i was told by the manufacture and ppl on here that it fits 6 spds, but I guess mine is just special. I'm definitely interested in headers, is there a specific brand i should be looking at for the 6 spd?

 

Dc or comptech/cat engineering.

I thought I header something about dc coming out with a 6 speed version but I am probably wrong.

Which leaves u with ct engineering.

 

No I think you are right about DC which is what I might try next.

I was under the impression CT didn't make the 6 spd headers anymore.

The one I purchased was XS power. I've seen threads where ppl purchased them and they worked, so I'm not so sure why this isn't working for me. With the design they have it clearly doesn't fit

 

FYI there's a set of used DC headers for sale below. They are for auto CL but I would imagine the J pipe would fit onto your headers.

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/j32a2-dc-headers-j-pipe-910043/

 

Yea I saw those, unfortunately the autos don't fit. The rear engine mount is right by the headers on a 6 spd. rear header has to have a bend in it to clear the mount. But even with the ones that i had that did do that, the down pipe is hitting the drive shaft, which i haven't heard of happening before

 

The mechanic who installed my XS headers had to grind a little bit of the rear mount in order to get enough clearance. He took off about maybe 1/2 inch off the corner.

 

He didn't mention anything about down pipe not clearing initially?

 

Dumb question maybe but are u sure the rear header was in fact the rear header? Could they have been swapped around by accident?

When I did my headers the only way I knew the front was the front was there was a badge on the front header from comptech.


I just went on tc engineering and they do not have headers at all listed for the CL anymore, or mufflers... Wtf. Have they stopped making parts for the CL?

 

i know the auto's don't fit. but the Jpipe is the same b/w auto and 6speed and DC doesn't have known issues. i'm just saying maybe the jpipe from a set of DC headers would work.

 

If you're looking for ct headers there is a set on eBay for $850. I think the same set is listed on Craigslist in jersey somewhere for $750. Look clean too. Also can you return the xs headers? I've heard of fitment issues in the past so maybe you could get them to send you another set. If not I may be interested in a cheap back up set for my comptechs.

 

Im looking to get some headers on mine as we'll for my 01 cl-s, does anybody know the gains to expect? With DC. Thanks, sorry if this the wrong place to ask I'm new here!

 

do a search. DC might even have a dyno on their website. There are dyno's with CT headers and DC will have similar gains. I think CT netted like 32 whp with just headers. Best power mod so pull the trigger.

 

Once I out headers on my car I was amazed at the difference in the car. Talk about unleashing the beast

 

I'm installing my XS-P headers right now. No problem getting the rear header in without messing with the rear mount. Downpipe is next, so I'll let you know about that. Not forseeing any problems though.

 

I thought u would have done the headers when u swapped in the cl6 motor... Well now u will know the power they make

 

My DC Sports headers should be here next week! Super stoked to get them on my car

 

Couldn't find a set of CT headers for the life of me, and XS-P hadn't made their new batch at the time.

I'm using a set of used XS-P from before they were discontinued, and everything fit perfectly. Only problem is I have exhaust leaks where the collectors meet the downpipe =[

Will new OEM gaskets fit the XS-P headers?

 

@gunts Thanks, now I just need to get the funds! Not to bad though they cost like 400ish
@Scottyknows007 hows the install coming along?

 

On hold right now, gonna have some pics taken to show them and see if they can send me a different pair? Ill put some pictures up here soon and see what y'all think

 

I paid 400 iirc for my used set of comptech headers. But honestly I would have paid more after feeling what u get from them. It's hilarious. It feels like a new motor...so it seems. Everyone needs to get headers for the j32a2. Cause they are all missing out.

 

Have you seen the thread about the NSX with the j32a2 motor install? Says this engine is where its at. And more fun to play with then the NSX motor

 

The day the cls came out I was in love with it. and I still love this motor as it seems indestructible and never has given me a problem. I am likely going to stick in the honda/acura family when I move on to another car in the future just because of how reliable and easy to work on these cars are.

 

interesting complaints thread against xs-p or ssautochrome

http://www.bblgroup.us/ssautochrome.htm

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1323296

 

I have only had this car for a month and when's get on it, it still makes me smile, I hope the headers will keep that smile going when I get them! Anybody know the rough price for a Pro install?

 

Holy shit that is a horrendous company. Good thing they are separated by an ocean or some ppl would drive over there to give them the wrath they deserve

 

Alright here is what i encountered, just got finished putting everything back together. The angle is wrong for the rear header. Down pipe is too short and strait up, has no contour to get past the drive shaft. Do y'all see what I see?

 

that is so weird.... like what car are they supposed to fit on then if they dont work on the j32?

it's almost like it was never going to go on the car in the first place.

I bought some obx headers supposedly off the internet and when i got them I looked at them and literally put them right back in the box and sold them at a 80$ loss on kijiji.

Literally they just looked like ass, welds were not consistent the flanges did not meet up smooth inside the tubes... nothings was good about it.. and that was like 250-300 buck iirc.

But I held out and got a used set of CTs for 400 iirc lol and it was the best thing i ever did. I have hit the j pipe on a sewer and BARELY even made a dent in the pipe. so the steel is likely better as well.

I was once told by a customer of mine, buy cheap buy twice. and that what I ended up doing.

If i were in your situation guys with the 6 speed dilema. I would buy dc sport headers cause they are known for good fitment and quality and then modify the one header on the rear. Im guessing like 1-2 bills would get it the way you need it to be. BUT I duuno JACK about welding so this is pure speculation. It seems that would give the least troubles to you guys instead of looking for a company that has made it right to fit from the get-go.

 

Do you have a picture of the headers trying to be installed in the car?

Comparing the stock headers to the XS-P downpipe doesn't mean anything, since the collectors are different sizes/angles.

I'm not saying you didn't get screwed over, but it's best not to jump to conclusions. Bust out the pitchforks for when we're 100% sure it's not just you.

 

I agree, when looking at other members pics of the headers they received from XS-P they look exactly like the ones you received.

I would personally try again and install them if XS-P doesn't send you another. Others have had little to no fitment issues. If any, minor fitment issues but they were still able to install them. I plan on ordering a set in the next month or so.

 

Yea I think that's what I'm gonna try and do.

I Agree, I need pictures of the install, I understand what you are saying about the collectors.

I have asked around about the rear collector install, and majority said that the rear went in fine, whereas are I HAD to remove the motor mount.

Once the collector was installed the down pipe didn't have enough of a swoop as shown in the first picture to clear the drive shaft.

Even though the collectors were longer and pushed everything down, it still wouldn't clear which is what I was trying to show in the 7th picture. The bend is not significant enough to clear the drive shaft.

I am currently in contact with XS and will see what they say. The wanted me to take some pictures of the difference and said they will try and ship me the "correct one" which make me wonder if there is more than one design..

 

I heard of others removing the rear mount also, but some say you have to twist and turn the collector to get it around the rear mount. also don't completely tighten any of the bolt down until everything is connect. Just have the bolt tight enough to hold all the piece together. It's good to hear you were able to get in contact with XS and they are working with you. Good luck and keep us updated. I'm excited to buy my set.

 

Yea that's exactly what I did but was still getting frustrated lol but o yea? let me know if you encounter anything similar, hopefully not!

How soon will they be there? Mine shipped super fast I had it within 4 days of ordering it from Hong Kong! I was impressed

 

I didn't order a set yet? I won't be ordering it until another month or so.

Did you order your headers recently? Is the bend on the rear collect cut and welded or is it a true bend? Can you take some pics of the rear collector?

 

Yea absolutely, its a true bent, it looked like it was gonna be the right size bend, I just had a problem getting it past the mount.

Yea I ordered my headers about a two weeks ago and tried installing them about a week ago