This thread is NOT comparing performance gains... just quality and ease of installation.

Well... AkuraCLS made it over today to install his OBX headers. The general quality is pretty good. My only gripe was that the front manifold did not fit onto the head properly. We had to drill-out the holes for the exhaust-studs to fit through. Other than that... its fine. If you use the manifold with the OBX stamp on the rear and the other one for the front... the fit is perfect down under the car. It comes with two o-rings and we had to pry one off the stockers. The gaskets ARE required (don't use the factory ones) as the finish on the manifold inside-surface is not very even. That's not a gripe because they provide gaskets.

In comparison, the Comptech's were a perfect fit from start to finish and the overall quality (finer details) is a little better.

Overall, I'd say the OBX's are well worth the price. In retrospect, if they made these for the 6spd, I'd regret getting the Comptechs. I think for the $600 difference... one can screw the C.A.R.B compliance.

Anyways... AkuraCLS is a decent guy and had patience while I wrestled with one of the catalytic-convertor bolts that took 1 hour to remove!!!

 

Since I have installed both systems I can add this:The Comptech system is first class all the way a perfect fit no ifs ands or buts.The OBX on the other hand did not fit and required some filing redrilling of holes for a good fit.Now apparently the OBX headers do make power but as was noted they are not CARB certified.Granted in many areas CARB certification is a moot issue but then again the laws could change in your area.I am glad to see that there are some options available to our customers for headers and I hope that OBX continues to improve it's products to be more quality oriented .I think were it my car right now I would wait and save the money for the CT headers unless OBX can certify theirs and improve on the somehwhat poor quality.Jens

 

Thanks Jens for your honest opinion we would love to see you here more...

 

Guys,
I port matched the OBX's header flanges', (accordV6 3.0l fitment) to match with an OEM CL-S exhaust manifold gasket and had it installed yesterday from Acura of Memphis. The mechanic that did the install did use leverage (crowbar) to get everthing in line... he said no biggy...and I'm a happy customer...my 23mpg is gone to hell in a handbag now....

Kudos to Acura of Memphis

 

Uggg, why do people do this when its not needed? It suppose to be a SNUG FIT! Geez. lol

0 problems here.

 

not talking shit, but this sounds like more than just a snug fit.

 

No, its more of a installer issue.

If you do not slide the header STRAIGHT over evenly, it will make you think you need bigger holes when you don't. You just have to make sure its going on perfectly straight and it will slide on.

 

um, i dunno, allmotor seems pretty well versed in this stuff. and he had already installed the comptechs on his car.


so maybe it is possible that there are some fitment issues w/ the obx, in some sort of percentage

 

Comptechs have much bigger holes, they go on easier so it doesn't take much thought.

Been working on cars for 10 years, the OBX install was easy and straight forward only if you know what you are looking for.

It's not a quality issue on the size of holes.

 

there have been others that have had the same problems. how can you be so sure that they are all wrong and you are correct?

i would have to say the odds are not in your favor.

 

The headers are made from a design that DOESN'T CHANGE from header to header.

The installers have different experiences.

Quit arguing the fact. Yes its possible what your saying, but its more likely the issue I am stating which is the problem.

 

yes, in a perfect world the tolerences would be the same on all of the headers.

but it has become obvious that not all of the obx headers meet those standards.

but i think allmotor gave a pretty good review of the install and said the headers are worth the money.

you sound a bit rediculous when you argue these facts, i think i speak for the majority when i say that

 

I installed both the same night. Comptech and OBX. I have my advice as well. This was my opinion and it seems alot of people also did not have problems installing them because it took what I said to actually get the header on correctly.

This is useless argueing with you.

 

your right, you can't win

 

Silverbullet, so your saying that the OBX just need a little more effort in putting them on? Now what about the weight would you say they are about the same weight as the Comptechs cause I think they're made of different material? So just to recap both headers produce similar gains, lets say for now they weigh the same give or take, and the install just takes slight more effort. All in all going with the OBX your saving what about $750-$800. Ummm. Sounds like for the price I'll get them for it might be something to look into. Silverbullet can you be as specific as possible with the instructions for istalling the OBX specifically where most people are having trouble.

 

The weight was so close it was hard to tell. Comptechs felt slightly heavier, not by much.

http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...ht=obx+install

Here is the post about me installing them.

 

O yea one more thing what exactly is the resonance that is heard at around 2800 rpm with the OBX? Do you here that with the Comptechs also why was the oxgen sensor touching your tranny while other didn't have that problem?

 

The oxygen sensor I could not explain. Wish I knew myself. I went under the car and adjusted a few things recently, to help, and covered up the wires on the O2 to protect them. Some others have complained I think 2 about the O2 close or touching the tranny as well.

I don't hear the resonance as much as others since I have HKS Draggers which get loud during that point of the RPM. But I can tell there is a noise. What causes it, I have no idea. I don't believe the Comptech does this. But I can't say.

 

I don't think it was an installer issue... but then again you never know! I am not going to get into this here

The manifolds are not made from a mold, hence the holes to fit through the head studs are drilled sometime during their manufacturing cycle. These holes did NOT line up with the gasket either (the gasket supplied by OBX themselves). The holes in the rear manifold lines up pretty well with the gaskets and hence fitment was good.

What you don't understand here (as in other situations) is that the OBX IS a good value.... I am just pointing out my observations after doing an install of both. So the next time someone attempts this on a Sunday night... they have a drill and bit with them so that they don't have to run around at 11:00pm trying to look for a 24-hour hardware store!!!

This is a forum to share experiences and have objective discussions... not insult each other, although the occasional is amusing.

I think your impressions of my 'installer' abilities might take a turn for the better in about two months... more on that later!

 

Lou... I was the one who told you about the resonance sound. It's a slight "tinny" sound that occurs around 2500-2800 RPM. Nothing major at all. With the radio on you can't hear anything.

I am down in Queens on the weekends. If you ever have a little free time, I can stop by and take you for a drive to hear the sound. I think it's very minor personally

 

all i can say, it thank you again to allmotor_2000. he's a GREAT GUY! it was a pain just getting some of the bolts off, and it took alot of time and effort on his part (even though i tried to help where i could) they smell like shit 1st impresstion...i didn't reset my ECU, (cuz i got a vtec controler, and i don't feel like resetting all the settings) so i'm gunna have to wait till the ecu learns (which shouldn't take that long) anyways, thats my info..thanks again allmotor! I won't give away ur secrets, but just wait till allmotor is done with his car....thats all i'm going to say..

 

oh, i don't think i got a resonance sound either..but then again i can't really tell cuz i got exhausts..