If you missed the other thread, I got the Comptech Headers yesterday and installed them on the car this morning.
Actually my friends Dom & Mike did most of the work UNDER the car, but I did my part with reading the instructions and getting what I could from up top.

It took us just shy of 3-hours with relatively few problems.
There were many cuts and bruises on our hands from working in the confined areas.
The REAR bank is the real BITCH to get at, both removing the stock manifold and bolting up the new Header.
I had to remove my Neuspeed upper strut bar so I could get my hand through to the nuts from above.
All the REAR parts are removed/added from the BOTTOM, but several of the bolts must be removed from ABOVE.
The only problem we had down below was the one bolt on the CAT connection.
One broken socket (Craftsman luckily) and MANY swear words later, they finally got it off.

If you’re attempting this yourself, make sure you’ve got plenty of “Turney Clicky” tools with extensions of MANY different lengths.
It’s REAL tight back there and we used everything from a tiny 1/4” socket driver to a big 1/2” job with THREE different extensions duct taped together with a swivel tip to reach WAY down from the top.

Driving impression……………..
My trip home from my friend’s house normally takes about 20-minutes, today it took about an HOUR.
Was this because the Headers decreased my power ???…….HELL NO !!!!!

I know the Dyno chart only shows substantial gains after 5,000 RPM, but I can feel awesome gains from 3,000 up to 5,000.
When I shift HARD into second at 6,500 RPM I can easily lay several seconds of rubber on the pavement.
The steering wheel pulls a bit, but the Limited Slip keeps things under control.
Shifting again at 6,500 into third delivers a nice BARK from the tires.

The sound of the STOCK 6-Speed is deeper and more “throaty” then the Auto from the factory.
With the CAI and HEADERS, it now sounds like there is a V8 is lurking under the hood.
I drove home with only the sound of the engine because we unplugged the battery and I didn’t have my security codes with me.
It made no difference, I listened to the SWEET sounds of the engine note while I cruised with both windows down.

I have no experience with the Headers on the Auto, but if you’re lucky enough to have three pedals on the floor it’s definitely worth the GRAND I spent.
The car goes to the Dyno in a few weeks, but my FOOT Dyno says I made a good choice.

Shawn S

PS…..Thanks to Dean for the 999 Header deal.
Thanks to Scalbert for answering my install questions.
And BIG thanks to Dom & Mike for doing all the HARD work under the car that would have been a real struggle for me.
That alone saved me LOTS on labor at the dealer.

I only took a few pictures because my hands were occupied most of the morning.
Nothing elaborate that you haven’t seen MANY times before.

Up on Jack Stands ready for work



Think those stock manifolds will fit the Honda Snow-Blower ???



Good friends do all the hard work



Nice and SHINY for a few weeks at least



More Shine



My buddy’s new truck…. Nice shine, but it needs the “Z” treatment

 

Nice review.Congrats, enjoy the extra power.

 

OMG YOUR J32A2 ATE TWO PEOPLE!!!!

If I had a 6speed.... *sigh*

 

How ENVIOUS ! I gotta get myself a 6-Speed soon!

 

I had my headers installed last Wednesday. I haven't been able to chirp the tires going into 3rd yet.

 

i got it to chirp the tires into 3rd twice when the car is stock and now i can't.....odd

 

well it depends on temperature, velocity, tire temp, whether you have VSA or your A/C on. many things why it could happen and couldnt.

 

I got it to CHIRP a few times into 3rd after I put the CAI on.
Now it just seems more pronounced and I get there quicker.
I think the life expectancy of my Falken’s just dropped a few thousand miles.

Shawn S

 

VSA ??? What the HELL is VSA ???

 

Since you buddy helped you put your headers on, I suggest you get to work on the "Z" treatment of his truck!!!!!!!!!

Your garage looks nice with the cement!!!!

I am surprised you didn't post pics of them pouring it and the finished product?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Did I miss something????????

 

No VSA on the six speed
I'm ordering my headers on monday!

 

Shawn, seems to me you owe your buddy the Zaino treatment. For all that free work, I'd say 4 coats on the truck'd be about even.

 

Sounds great - enjoy!

(oh - the goals y'all give me)

 

u SURE u guys arent tongue wrestling down there ?

 

Nice Shawn! Now get that thing on the dyno already!

 

Enjoy the headers.....I know I do

 

Mine should be going on tuesday...I hope!!! I had them on the auto so I am really interestd on how they will be on the 6spd

Looking good Shawn...now go Z your buddys car and get that car on the dyno:P

 

Need your seat of the pants review ASAP.

 

Shawn did you see what i meant about the Heat shield on the front header???... at first it seemed scarey to me that I was going to have a melt down...LOL... but I think the Stainless headers don't hold as much heat as the forged .... When you pulled them off I bet you were laughing like me... those mothers are heavy...your car now weights 60 pounds less...LOL

Do you notice how your tach flies to the red line alot quicker ....I go through the gears like water when I get on it..

Congrats

Smitty

 

I like the sound of that!!!!!!!!!!!! >;]

 

Nope….That’s not MY garage, it’s my friend Dom’s.
I took the car over there Friday night so it was nice and cool to work on Saturday morning.

My garage IS coming along though.
They poured the one side Friday and the other half is getting done tomorrow.
Don’t worry, I took plenty of pictures , I just haven’t had a chance to post.
Unfortunately the Blue Blinger is OUTSIDE for the week again while the cement cures.

Shawn S

 

It's scheduled for the first week of August.

Shawn S

 

Yea, but everyone is running them that way, so I guess it’s OK.

Yea, the stock ones are HEAVY as an SOB.
Which reminds me, them parts are still in the trunk so I guess my car hasn’t lost that weight just yet.

Didn’t get to drive today, still working on the garage floor, but the ride to work tomorrow should be FUN.

Shawn S

 

I leave for a week, and this happens!?!??!?!


Shawn,

Its about time!!!


Congrats!
you will love them, I listened to the engine for about a month after I got them, the sound is addictive!!!

 

Well then........I guess you missed THIS ONE too.

WOW…..Look what the UPS guy just delivered !!!!!

Shawn S

 

For some reason I got to work EARLIER today.

I can’t quite put my finger on how THAT happened.

I think my next GAS fill-up will probably set an all time LOW for me.
I’m sure playing with the rev’s like I’m doing right now causes HELLA-BAD MPG’s.

Shawn S

 

LOL!!!

yeah me thinks u'll b competing with the likes of the Expeditions, Excursions, and Yukons!!!

congrats on the latest and greatest mod!!! use em well...and we gotta find a time to head down to Englishtown for some competition!!! what competition???

 

Have yall been replacing the Gasket or just reusing the one thats there? I have ~45K and I am about to do my headers. The instructions say you can reuse the current Gasket, but one of my friends said to never do that. I assumed yall were just reusing because no one has said they put new ones on.

Thanks

 

My gaskets were fine, but if you have 45,000-miles on the car, I think I would probably replace them.
I did call Acura to check and they are only like 8-bucks each.
That’s worth not having to rip everything apart again if you find a leak.

Shawn S

 

which acura quoted your $8 bucks a piece? John Eagle in Houston just quoted me $14.31 each they gave me the part number 18115paea01.

 

I don’t have a part number. All I did was call the Parts Dept at my local dealer and ask for Exhaust Manifold Gaskets.
They weren’t in stock, but he said they were 7.99 or something close to that.

Check out this place online: Acura Carland
They say 7.85 list and they sell them for 6.28.

Shawn S

 

Shawn,
You really do have to search for good prices on these things. I have gotten quotes from $6 to $15 each for these things! It's amazing how folx can charge any old random amount for these things.

 

Good idea!!! I better go pick up a set, since I have just over 30K on my baby!!