Let me start this thread off by saying that the dealer (Pohanka Acura in Fairfax, VA) has installed a lot of Comptech and OBX headers before, but I don't know if they've ever done Stone before.

Anyways, they were able to get the headers mounted just fine, no problems with it not lining up like I've heard in the past ... but he said he couldn't find the place where the O2 sensor should mount. Is this different on the Stone headers than on the Comptech headers? ... If anyone can provide pictures to show what it should look like too I'd appreciate it. That way I can make sure my headers aren't messed up in anyway.

Thanks for the help, I did a quick search through the forums and didn't notice anyone having the same problem ... Sorry if its a repost!

EDIT: Ok, I looked at the test fitment #2 pictures and I see where the O2 sensor went. Called the dealer and he said that the O2 sensor wouldn't reach to where its supposed to go after its mounted ... While the Comptech ones normally reach with no problems even when its already bolted up. Any suggestions?

 

doesn't make any sense...retards probably had the o2 sensor wire caught on something. Did they remove the headers or are they installed right now. The hole for the o2 sensor should'nt have been moved due to the placement of the manifolds/a-pipe. There is no where for it to be for the o2 to not reach it. I have comptechs and still have no problems.

 

tell them that is the one that goes in the catalytic converter,... the other one goes in the front,.....or vice versa

 

My car is still at the dealership so I'm assuming the headers are still installed. I don't know what exactly the problem is other than that the O2 sensor won't reach properly from what he said. I believe the O2 sensor that they're talking about is on the A-pipe ... My assumption is its the one in this picture:



(Got the picture from Nashua's thread on the 2nd test fitment for the Stone headers)

Check this link for more pics of everything:

Link

Don't know what the exact problem is with it fitting on my set of headers though, was just wondering if anyone else with Stone headers had this problem.

 

I was just guessing they had taken the back one out of the cat also to do the install, and are trying to put the wrong sensor in the wrong location. The only thing I remember was having to twist the sensor the oposite direction before I screwed it in or the wire would twist up in a bunch. Do you see where the hole is in the picture,...go there in the morning and see if it's in the same spot. If it is, the installer is . If it isn't, the a-pipe is :shakehd:

 

Cripes...I watched the original install with the prototype...plug out, plug in. Simple. Perfect and easy.

They let me in during the install and made a point of the o2 sensor. Other things had fitment issues, the o2 sensor did not. Fit to the block was the only issue...other than that Stone (OBX?) was great.

 

Well it sounds like there's something wrong with my A-pipe, because the O2 sensor was touching the oil pan when it was plugged in, which is obviously very bad. Since the Stone headers are hand welded, it sounds to me like its possible that one A-pipe could be different than another. He said it was only off by a little bit, but if he left it touching the oil pan then it'd obviously cause problems later.

Will be PM'ing Nashua to see what he wants to do ...

Worst part is its still costing me $200 to end up with my stock headers because the dealership spent a lot of time trying to get the Stone to fit. At this rate, I'll have paid $800 by the time I'm done... Almost could have gotten the damn Comptech headers!

 

yeah I know Ferizzo had a tight fit with his OBX's. We got it in there, but it was close to tranny. The dealer sorta compalained about it when they replaced his tranny. I think it proabbly made repalceing the tranny a bit harder and they wanted to cover their back in case they messed it up.

 

That really sux bro...stone should compensate for you money losses cause they fucked up not you...

 

Yeah definitely... I'm still waiting to hear back from Nashua ... I hope he'll work something out with me.

 

Well, apparently the dealership didn't make it clear and they not only had to charge me for trying to fit the headers, they had to charge me for putting the old ones back on ... So I've in total dropped $800 now for headers that are still sitting in a box. If I ever get a set that fits on properly, it will cost me another $200 to put on the headers again ... Thats $1000 total I've wasted now on Stone headers when I could have just spent ~$1200 and gotten Comptech headers which fit perfectly...

Sorry but at this point in time, I can't recommend Stone headers to anyone. I would definitely recommend everyone spend the extra cash and buy Comptech! The original promises of Stone headers fitting nice and easy like Comptech and easy installation were obviously wrong (not just because my installation didn't workout, but also because of the added need to file down the edges and smooth stuff out... possibly even re-drilling holes to get it to line up properly).

I hope Nashua can do something to help my situation, but so far my 2 phone calls and PM have gone unanswered!!! Nothing against him, but to say the least I'm very frustrated right now and an extra $200 poorer than I planned on being... and without any headers to show for it!

 

Here's pics I just took of my headers with pics of the test fitment headers #2 for comparison... It looks to me that the O2 sensor hole is towards the left more on my set than what the test ones have ... the threads look different too.

Link to pics of my headers

Nashua, if you're out there ... I hope you can help me out bro!

 

Finally spoke with Nashua tonight, he said that rubbing up against the oil pan is somewhat normal and to "fix" it, you'd wrap a piece of rubber around the O2 sensor. (Wish I would have known this pre-install, so I could have asked the dealer if this was possible ... it didn't sound like it was just rubbing up against the oil pan though).

I explained that the dealer said it was unsafe for it to be rubbing like that and they wouldn't release the car to me like that, and he said he'd take a look at my pics and see if he can get me a new A-pipe.

Unfortunately, he didn't sound too confident that Stone would refund my money for the install/uninstall since the headers themselves carry no warranty at all.

Personally, I'm pretty disgusted with this entire debacle. If Stone can't come through and give me some sortof compensation for the install, which giving me a messed up part is totally their fault ... Then I think I'll probably just wash my hands of the entire thing and sell the damn headers after I get a new a-pipe. At least maybe I can re-coop some of the money out of this crappy ordeal.

I'd like to think that if I did buy Comptech headers and they were defective in some way, that Comptech would be willing to help me in terms of refunding some of the wasted install costs ... Look at the lengths they went to to help FigDj with his supercharger problem!

 

Well, Nashua sent me a replacement downpipe and I received it. I PM'ed him asking about some compensation since I wasted $400 on an install but I didn't hear anything from him.

I compared the new downpipe with the old one and the O2 sensor is definitely in a different position. But the welds are all a little different too... The downpipe itself seems to be at a slightly different angle where it connects to the headers themselves... Don't know if thats good or bad.

Let this be a warning to any potential Stone headers customers ... Nashua has probably already said so, but Stone comes with no expressed warranty. If there's a problem and you spent money on an install ... Its down the drain, wasted money. For me, I've now wasted $800, and I probably won't spend another $200 (potentially $400) to try and see if this set will fit right.

My next set of headers will be Comptech for sure ... At least I know if there's a fitment problem Comptech will take care of me.

 

damn man, that ordeal sucks. I have a friend that is going to install my OBX's, hopefully there are no issues with my install.
Good luck with the financial aspect.

 

LiQiCE,

I wish you great luck with the new replacement of the downpipe. As far as I know, Comptech (nor any aftermarket parts manufacture) will NEVER compensate you for any loss incured due to a defective part.

Any stated warranty will cover you for replacement of a defective part. That is it! no more or less.

Again good luck for you.

Nashua.

 

And, the install of the 2nd prototype was fine on my car...for the O2 sensor, anyway.

 

Nashua,

Comptech may not necessarily state it in their warranty, but they were willing to have a tech fly out from CA to NJ to checkout someone's super charger and try to help figure out what was wrong with it ... That says a lot to me about Comptech.

The dealer also said he'd be able to help me out more if it were comptech versus stone.

But I guess for the extra $700, you're paying for something right?

 

How can you tell (or Nashua) if you have a correctly aligned o2 sensor mount? I looked at all your pictures and they seem to look the same (except maybe the threads),

 

Look at the pictures in the side by side comparison ... my O2 sensor on the left side seems to be facing towards about 1 o'clock. The test fitment headers seem to be facing towards about 2 o'clock.

The difference is subtle in the pics, but I guess it make a difference when mounting.

 

BTW- This thread at the bottom Modaddict says it should be facing towards 2 o'clock:

LINK

 

i hate to say it but you get what you pay for.comtech headers are expensive but they fit like a glove and you dont have to go through all the bullshit,remember time is money.i paid 1000 for my headers and they will last a lifetime.obx and stone i dont know from reading alot of posts there seems to be alot of problems.

 

I bought the "Stones" knowing they were in a development phase,,, I payed a small shop to install and they didn't fit due to them not following correct procedures. Cost to me was $200. After much measurements and debate I went ahead and reinstalled them myself. I haven't had any problems but I knew I was at risk in the first place. Sounds like some of the Stones and OBX have initial quality problems but if you want to save money its the way to go. My hats off to LiQice and the problems you had to go through. My hats also off to small business guys trying to bring new things to market. I would not have put on headers if they cost me $1000 but I also have the know how to install myself which saved money but not time or pains in the RRS.

 

Do we have anything better than "look at a side by side" to determine if (before paying $200.00 for install) the O2 Sensor location is correct? Is there a mechanical drawing showing where it should be and what tolerances there are?

 

I beg to differ. Comptech paid to have my A pipe removed and a new one installed when they had the problem with the resonance. Not adding fuel to the fire, just stating a fact.

 

rondog had an issue with his obx headers and the o2 sensor. His o2 sensor fit but rubbed againts the oil pan and cut the wires.

 

Honestly, thats why I am uncomfortable trying to have the stone headers fitted again. At a $200 pricetag, I can swallow the install, but if it were another $400 because of a problem with fitment ... then I'd be spending $800 on an install which netted me absolutely nothing, and another $400 for headers which still didn't fit.

I feel bad to throw my problems onto someone else, but I seriously think I may just sell the headers on eBay to try to re-coup some of my losses and wait to find a deal on the Comptech headers (maybe buy a used set).