Is there a big diffrence between the comptech headers and the OBX headers beside the price. Do they both produce the same hp and torque gains or what. Whats the reason for the big price diffrence.

 

comptech headers are AT THE CHEAPEST $999

OBX headers are currently $370 plus shipping

the performance gains are totally identical

Comptech is CARB certified, OBX is not

Comptech has better build quality, better welds

Materials are the same

stay away from ceramic coated OBX headers, they peel

there is no real reason why Comptech still charges so much, they just know people will pay, even if theve lost hundreds of sales lately (myself included) due to OBX much cheaper price.

 

Could someone fill me in on what CARB certified actually is. I am kinda confused.

 

CARB certification is only for people in California, its having to do with emissions controls, if you dont have CARB certified parts on your car in california, you can get heavily fined and your car can be impounded....in any other state, OBX is fine, its not really a big deal at all, its a little plate welded on the front of the header for califorina cops to check for when they pull over people with modded cars

 

I was also pro-Comptech when it came to headers till I saw Rondog's Obx headers in person. They look identical to the Comptechs and as far as Im concern they are worth the money. I was surprised on how small they are and Comptech wants $1000 for this get the fawk outta here. Remember they are not an electrical product or anything with intricate parts....just get the OBX. I did hear of resonance with the OBX at 2800 rpm which was fixed by using the stock header gasket. Hey maybe you can buy the Comptech gasket only and use them on the obx since they are identical in design.

 

The material is NOT the same. OBX is using, what is supposed to be stainless, but IS much thinner material than Comptech uses. Comptech uses US made stainless that they can control the quality on so that the headers are the same from one batch to the next. OBX--who knows. I held the OBX in my hand at SEMA and dented the downpipe on accident because the material was so thin--you cant do this with Comptech. Comptech is hand welded--dont know about OBX, but I have seen a few with missing welds.

Comptech is definately more expensive---but as many have said before...............you do get what you pay for.

Thanks
Dean

 

I have personally held both the OBX and the Comptech, and the difference is minimal. I have no idea how you dented the OBX, but they are very sturdy and denting it is NOT easy. Maybe you dropped a sledgehammer on them?

We have to realize it's a freaking exhaust manifold. It's not a valvetrain or anything where overall quality TRULY matters. If I get 3 years out of my headers, I will be happy. I can in no way see spending over $1000 for a hunk of metal that does nothing other than let exhaust gas come out of the engine.

 

Whats up Dean Im definetly not knocking Comptech I understand they are better in construction but performance is still debatable. What I'm mostly stressing is the performance for the money. I think you would get more performance from OBX headers and brand new Toyos T1s for the same money for just the Comptech headers. Price for performance Im sorry Comptech loses but as far as quality construction comptech wins no questions asked

 

or you can get an AEM intake, HKS super draggers and the obx headers

AEM= $200 without bypass
HKS exhaust= $550 shop around
OBX headers= $350 shop around prob cheaper.
Install of headers= $150 quality work also

Total $1250 for about 38 HP to the wheel

Comptech is selling the headers for that price not including install. and only dynoes about 27HP to the wheel.

Comptech and OBX produce same HP and performance. I don't know about you guys but sounds like a no brainer for this decision.

 

get the obx headers, i love em, i used the stock gaskets, i've only heard the resonance like less than 5 times

 

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think this has been conclusively proven on the Dyno.
From my recollection we have only TWO Dyno runs and they were both suspect because of other MODS on the car or improper installation of the headers.

The close-up photos of the OBX show that there are some sections of the pipes that are more restrictive.

And don’t forget they don’t fit the 6-Speed.

Shawn S

 

Yup, I agree Shawn. I've never seen a dyno of a stock CL-S with ONLY Comptech Headers vs a stock CLS with only Brand B headers.


Until that's shown, there's no conclusive evidence concerning the assumption that they produce equal gains.

 

Comptech's welding is much better than OBX. you won't regret if you get comptech ones.