Just an update to a couple items that were mentioned in a now-dead thread from yesterday:

I called Kamikaze Performance Products since it was mentioned that they offer V6 headers. They said they are working on them but it will be *at least* six months before they are ready. Nothing is available now.

I also called WarpSpeedPerformance and they said they were *weeks* away from having V6 headers completed. The gentleman said their design is different than Comptech's and that it will offer even greater performance gains. He said they may offer it in two types of steel (309 and 409??) to have two different price points/qualities. They'll have pictures up on their web site in a couple weeks. He also said they were aiming for a price between $700-$800(!).

Didn't contact Xephyr but he's more than welcome to share any updates with us here.

 

I hope they do make a header for our cars, that have the same or better performance then comptech. Their price is ridiculous. The only problem that I would see is probably the warranty issues.

Spiro

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Black/Black 2001 CL-S
RED AEM CAI
Polarg M6 Roadlamps

 

nothing against the other companies, i dont mind spending an extra couple hundred dollars to get quality as well as not having problems with warranty issues in the future. We have a $30,000 car and a couple hundred bucks wont kill me

 

theres another company in japan that makes headers for us, but they are even more expensive. I'm not gonna tell you who they are though, so email me if your real serious. They are around 1200-1400. I'm still waiting for dyno sheets too but they shouldn't be any different then comptech considering they are alot closer related to honda and probally go through the same if not more R&D

 

I agree with you that it's nice not having warrantee issues with the dealer but realistically, what is a *decently made* header going to do to an engine that would cause warrantee repairs to begin with? This is only my opinion but I look at it as if you're pre-paying for the dealer to address issues that may never materialize by buying Comptech. Personally, I'm not worried that headers or springs from a manufacturer other than Comptech are going to cause major problems. Even if I had a car that cost $60K-$80K (which I never will), I'd still be looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

As an example, my dealer (Scottsdale Acura) wants $999 to get and install Comptech Springs. Sure, I'd have no warrantee worries but I'm getting H&R springs for $170 and I'm doing the install myself. That frees up a lot of $$ for other things down the road, including repairs if somehow the H&R springs do damage that isn't covered under warrantee. Oh well, everybody's got their own view on things...

 

Thanks CLpower. I'm going to wait a month or two and see what WarpSpeed finally comes out with first. If it's a POS, I'll ask you. Curious why wouldn't you want to publicly share that info with others though? It’s just a header. It seems the more interest that is generated for aftermarket parts, the more selection the industry will offer us.

 

cause first of all; no one can get them; second of all, no one knows they exist; third of all, i'm getting them and i don't want no one else to have them

 

and you have first Gen CLS.... not even a Type-S!.. but yeah you have the bottle...

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Black, Ebony, 3.2 CL Type-S, NAV.
- 3M clear bra, by Stonguard (full front bumper, and side mirrors, and partial hood)
- Acura Spoiler, Moonroof visor
- Splash guards, Winter mats, Trunk liner
- Valentine V1 Radar Locator
- HELMS Service Manual
- PIAA 19169 road lamps
- 03/19/01: Injen Polished CAI
- 04/13/01: 235/40/18 NITTO 555 on 18x7.5, +45 offset, Koing Imagine in Silver with wheels locks

 

I just had a long thought to myself about going to the inexpensive way (cheapest shop -- non-Acura dealer) and non-Comptech.

I think if you have the time and can really "deal" with any possible issues that come up by not having the "Comptech" stuff, just wait and get the cheaper stuff and install it yourself (or find any body who is cheap).

I finally decided to pay the dealer and Comptech. I really like those "Prototype Headers" and couldn't wait for new ones.

1. I want stainless steel -- it is just my opinion from experience from years of mild-steal headers that were NOT ceramic coated. I was always under the car. If stainless steal headers are made "right", they should last for a very long time with no worries.

2. The reputation of Comptech and their products. I want the 2-year warranty and be able to work with the dealer. (I guess I'll see if this works out.)

3. The "Prototype Headers" would probably make more top-end power, but less through the range -- (just my opinion). The bends are smoother for more overall, but (in very general situations, the 6-1 make more at the top, a bit less down low) (JUST MY OPINION)

4. The wait factor -- I waited just long enough, and got the headers before they went up even more.

So, if you are young, don't have nerve damage in your back so you can work all day and night in your garage having fun with your car, get whatever looks cool and experiment.

If you have a 70hr a week (on-and-off) schedule, and you’re not sure about the quality of some part or the dealer being happy to provide support, you’re out-of-luck.

So, it is like buying one of those "get your workstation fixed 24/7 warranties. I bought one on my Dell 420. I paid the piper, and I'm happy and feel safe.

I've saved money in the past by building my own computers (modding cars too) and it is a bitch running all over the place to get something back up (hardware land) when I have a software deadline.

So, pay the piper ==> Comptech for Acura family support.

Get the best bang-for-the-buck, save money, but take the consequences.

BTW -- I'm NOT saying the Comptech is best. I'm saying that I called a bunch of dealers and I got a very luke-warm reception to the installation and support of non-Comptech parts.

(This is only my own opinion -- and only counts for my situation)


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Silver 2001 CL-S with NAVI

• Mud guards
• Wheel locks
• Toyo T1S 235/45ZR17-97W* Proxies on 17x8" SSR Competition wheels (48lbs less than stock)
• Kevlar/SS Brake lines ordered
• Comptech headers & sways ready
• Silver AEM CAI ready
• 6 coats of Zaino magic

[This message has been edited by EricL (edited 04-17-2001).]

 

EricL: I agree with what you've said. I guess my point has been to remind people that there are choices and you've summed things up very nicely about some of the pros and cons. Thanks.

 

have you guys tred contacting www.prototyperacing.com they made headers for the v6 accord they are also the ones that did that hks turbocharged accord

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2001 cl type s,custom voltage blue paint job, comptech headers, 18 inch ssr agle strusse rims(painted voltage blue with chrome lip), greddy evo exhaust, cross drilled rotors, pioneer avx 7000 tv, playstation2, iceman cold air intake(custom)nos fuel pressure regulator, piaa ion yellow fog lights, slammed on nex suspension (level ten torque converter and b&m tranny cooler)3.5 litre upgrade on april 16!(dommed topped pistons, mdx crankshaft, rods , bearings, heads ported and polished, vtec timing

my old car www.hondatech.org/99acv6ic.html
my cl http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...064&Sequence=0

 

 

Just some points- You should not really get any better treatment from the dealers just because you have Comptech parts installed. The only way there will be a warranty issue is if the aftermarket part installed fails and causes damage to other oem parts. What is an issue, is quality and fit. Comptech products cost more because they are manufactured from premium materials to very high standards. Look at the quality of the welds and bends- nearly flawless! Everything they makes fits perfectly, the hardware is quality and is all there! We install lots of this stuff, and have never, never had a problem with Comptech. We are expanding our inventory to other brands and in so doing, will be looking at the quality and fit and comparing them to the "Comptech Standard" If a product can meet the same standards, then we will sell and install it. As of now, there are no other headers we can reccomend, but if others do come along- we will deal with them if they meet the standard.
Just my .02

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Wayne Gruen
Service Manager
Park Ave Acura

 

wayneg - have a question. Can I take what you state and bring it to my dealership? They don't think the same way you do. Are the dealerships independently owned and operated or do they have to conform to what the Acura corporate offices say?

My dealership says that they will "order" the Comptech parts for me, but they won't match what I can find them for sale for on the internet. They said that they will "install" the Comptech parts for me, but won't honor any warranty they come with from Comptech.

I have asked about other products - Non Comptech - and they stated that they "won't" do the install or honor any warranty of those parts.

Are they following what the Acura corporate offices say, or are you and your dealership just that much better than all the others? You seem to really care about your customers and treat them well, regardless of what they want, how they want it, etc.

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avengerjr
2001 CL-S Satin Silver / Ebony Interior / Non-Navi[*] spoiler , wheel locks , 20% tint , fenderwell trim[*] mud guards , winter floor mats , full nose mask[*] Xephyr CAI

 

Avengerjr- I do not speak for Acura or any other dealer- I speak for Park Ave Acura only. Each dealer is free to conduct his business as he sees fit within the framework of his Franchise agreement with Acura. Issues of warranty are well spelled out in the federal Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act and we all have to follow those rules. How those rules are interpeted will vary slightly from place to place, but the basic premises still apply. We choose to be supportive of our customers and try to provide them with more than they expect. Given todays business climate, anything less is poor business judgement. We will not do anything that will knowingly jeapordize the saftey of our customers or negatively impact their vehicles. Sometimes it is hard to meet all the requests and we have to say no. This is always for a very good reason and not just on an arbitrary basis. Each dealer has to operate in his own way- we choose to do it this way- it has been, and hopefully will, continue to be successful for us.

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Wayne Gruen
Service Manager
Park Ave Acura

 

Thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate it. I only wish my dealer was more customer oriented, much like you are.




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avengerjr
2001 CL-S Satin Silver / Ebony Interior / Non-Navi[*] spoiler , wheel locks , 20% tint , fenderwell trim[*] mud guards , winter floor mats , full nose mask[*] Xephyr CAI

 

Yes, I did. The number that's on their page is disconnected. I looked in the directory for them and that's the only number listed for them so it looks like they've gone underground.

 

For those curious, I found a link that attempts to decipher that Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...y/undermag.htm

 

Wayne, thanks very much for taking the time to contribute to this forum. Your (and Jens'!) insights are greatly appreciated! Believe me, if you operated a facility here in AZ, I'd be all over it, saving myself from scraped knuckles. My dealership has yet to become as enlightened as yours (as evidenced by the $999 Comptech springs install quote) so I'm just trying to think of alternatives for those of us not close to facilities of your caliber.

 

Now, just my .02...

I wish other dealers had a similar mind set to yours. You would be surprised how difficult it is to get the kind of support you guys offer.

I always treat the dealer's people with respect, we are still working together, but it always seem to be a fight to get them to "do the right thing."

The M/M act comes to mind. But, how often should a person have to hire a lawyer to just get the "right thing done."

The Acura folks should go to your shop, and "watch" how you take care of business and customers; then make a seminar/instructional video for other dealers, and "MAKE" them watch. If they knew about the profits they were missing, I think they would be interested!

(my opinions expressed here)

------------------
Silver 2001 CL-S with NAVI

• Mud guards
• Wheel locks
• Toyo T1S 235/45ZR17-97W* Proxies on 17x8" SSR Competition wheels (48lbs less than stock)
• Kevlar/SS Brake lines ordered
• Comptech headers & sways ready
• Silver AEM CAI ready
• 6 coats of Zaino magic