I'm about to take the OBX plunge -- OBX owners satisfied?
 

Do you all think these OBX's will last the test of time (i.e. longer than four years)?

Issues I'm concerned with ...

1) a lot of resonance

2) longevity, reliability

3) leaks

Thanks for all comments in advance

i have had mine since the beginning of this NY winter and they have been sand blasted, saltted and frozen. They have no resonance, no leaks and they look like new bronz, shiny no rust. Go for it save the money. With the money saved you can do intake and headers, which compliment each other nicely.

As far as those of you w/ the resonance -- how loud is this resonance:

1) under daily driving throttle

2) under wide open throttle .. aggressive driving

Thanks again

Bigman

How did the install go -- how much did you pay and who did you have install it .. your acura dealership? What do you think of the power difference, worth the money?

Thanks

I paid $400 for my headers WITH install. As for the resonance issue, I'd say it would be around 2k rpm with load...but the noise you hear from the headers is nowhere near of axleback exhausts. The resonance shouldn't even be an issue, and IMO, you got your priority list in reverse. As for longeavity, it's too early to say. Noone even had their 1st year anniversary yet.

When I had my OBX headers, I had them through a CT winter, no leak problems whatsoever, no chipping or rusting. They looked as good as new at the end of the winter.

The resonance issue is slightly annoying, but it only happens from ~2600-2800 rpm and after a while you don't even realize it anymore.

I definitely recommend the OBX headers. It's proven they give great gains and they are much cheaper than Comptech

For a little bit more, you might want to jump in on the Stone headers groupbuy ($400 shipped) if its still open (PM Nashua Night Hawk if you are interested)

Price wise, they're only a little more than the OBX headers, but the first two tests of the Stone headers suggests that the resonance is either non-existent, or much quiter and less noticeable than OBX.

The gains on the Stone headers are pretty much on par with the Comptech / OBX headers too.

As far as zipping around town (heavy right foot) you won't mind the resonance since you will not be at 2500rpm long enough to notice it. It is just when you are at ~2500rpm that you hear the "mooing". Personally I hate it but I have learned to avoid that rpm range by driving more aggresively or playing in sport shift. I like the gains so I am keeping the headers. When I first got them I wasn't sure if the gains were worth the noise so be prepared for your car to sound different. The Stone headers don't have resonance as loud but they do have some vibration at 2 different rpm ranges if the second set of prototypes are any indication. Admittedly I was hard pressed to hear it. It hasn't been ruled out that it isn't just a tightening down issue or small leak but I don't think that is the case since I had my OBX done at the same place and they seemed thorough...Comptechs are the only ones that seem to have no issues but they cost a mint. Overall, I give the OBX a thumbs up but there are days that I get mad at the sound.

if you get the exhaust the resonance will def. go away. My friend had the resonance and it went away with his exhaust. The headers costed me 450 installed. Usually its about 150 installed. I had a local shop do them and he said they slid right on. I bought mine after OBX fixed the fitment issues. Power is ridiculous, i cant really explain how much power you get out of these things. The car is an animal now it will make you fall in love with your car all over again.

NO problems. Save the money.

My wife hates riding with me... ahe claims I am zipping all the time around traffic like a red neck kid!... LOL...

No resonance sound on the Stone Headers!

Great responses -- this is really helping me out!

One more thing -- a guy on the internet is sellin' a set of headers for $325 + shipping. How do I know if they are of the batch that had the fitting issues -- i.e. the batch that weren't perfectly aligned to factory holes and what not.

Also:

I have 26,000 miles on my ride .. will there be issues for the install crew to get my old headers off .. ? How many of you got headers installed around my type of mileage (i.e. after 20,000 miles)?

Thanks again

Just make sure that they DO NOT strip the threads on the Engine's Headers studs... This is major problem that would cost big buks to fix!

Be aware, let them use some DW40 on all bolts but NOT the O2 sensor!

Why not on the O2 sensor?











Juker008

cause oil contaminated O2 sensor would cost you $300 to replcae!

the obx's are great, i've learned to stay away from the rosonance rpm's, but sometimes i dont even hear it.

the thing i like most is what they did to my 1/4 et, 15.0 stock, 14.2 w/ intake and headers

Having mentioned these two points -- do you think I would be better off then having Acura install them -- considering they would probably take both these factors into account? Or would a good exhaust shop most likely know these things as well?

A pro shop, exhaust shop, or the dealer can do this as long as they use the right tools.

very happy

mantis --

do you have any resonance -- if so -- how loud does the stereo need to be in order for you not to hear it while driving?

What are your personal thoughts on the performance gains .. and how do they look so far (rusty, discolored, corroded)?

Thanks

Hey TL_Type_S, this is ferizzo (I'm on Ray's computer) and I have the OBX headers as well. The resonance can get annoying but you'll only hear it when you are lightly on the throttle and you hit the 2500-3000 rpm range. At WOT you won't hear it because you will not be below 3500 rpms. At half throttle you'll only hear it for a split second. With the radio on at a normal level you probably won't even notice it unless you are listening for it.

My buddy Ray did the install for me with another buddy and it was a bitch (the car had 15000 miles on it). We didn't have all the tools so it was a pain and took longer than it should have. I like the gains although I haven't been to the track yet. See the thread below for my write up:

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...header+install

It might be worth it to look at the OBXs as well as stone headers. Good Luck!

I guess I'm not even sure that I know what resonance sounds like? To me.. I'm thinking it's gunna sound like empty coffee cans vibrating on an old washing machine or something ... am I far off from the truth?

honestly, I'd say it sounds kinda like having a ricey exhaust but only for a split second.

...but at every other rpm range ... it's ok? No noise? I rode in a CL-S w/ comptech headers at WOT .. and there was noticeable "resonance" after 5000 .. thought it sounded really aggressive ..

since daily driving requires you to CONSTANTLY travel thru the 2500-2800 range.. i'm debating on whether I'd go crazy or not ..

what about cruising on the highway in 5th gear at 2600 rpms.. is it a constant vibration??!

No vibration at highway speeds so far and that includes upto 2500 rpms in 5th. Only time I hear the resonance is when accelerating from a stop.

At WOT I can't tell the difference in sound. Either way, I like it at WOT.

No vibration at highway speeds so far and that includes upto 2500 rpms in 5th. Only time I hear the resonance is when accelerating from a stop.

At WOT I can't tell the difference in sound. Either way, I like it at WOT.

Can someone theoretically hear the resonance from outside the car .. or when your windows are down, can you hear it?

Yes!

NO! :mad:

Why not go for stone headers?

I thought there was no way to get stone headers anymore... is this incorrect??

...we can still book few... we only had 7 booked so far.

oh really? 400? by wheen?

I will book few more till we start shipping and as long as we have enough set which is the case now.

OBX does not list a header for '03 CLS on their website. What is part number?