Just got my headers! I've got a few questions maybe even Jens would like to answer to put my anal retentive mind at ease:

- Is it best to replace the copper exhaust manifold gaskets since the existing ones have already been "formed" to the stock exhaust manifolds?

Also, where the 3 tubes come together inside each header, I notice Comptech grinds down the excess flash to make it smooth. However, I noticed that there are slight gaps where the tubes join on the inside - they're solidly welded on the outside. Anyone else seen this?

 

I used my old one but if you want I think there only 40 ~ 50 dollars so you can purchase new ones if that makes you feel better.

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CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Cargo Net/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter. Comptech Springs. Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers, Comptech Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.
AEM CAI once they decide to make the dame thing.
235/40/17's or 225/45/17's once I found out which one works for me.

gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.

 

How many miles on the car??

I assume less than 30k, so the stock manifold to header gaskets should be fine. Just check for damage. Mine were fine with about 10K on them. I should have more pics soon (once my wife uses the film):

http://www.flwsoutheast.com/images/steve/Headers/

 

A set of new gaskets will cost you $15 to $19, cheap insurance if I must say so.

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Mike
Satin Silver CL Type S
lower,firmer,more free flowing

 

So how many of you guys have done a re-torque?

And

How many of you have NOT done a re-torque?

This issue used to come up due do the initial compression of most exaust gaskets.

On the old Bimmers, I'd have to re-torque about 2 weeks later. The exaust would be good from that point on, unless someone had a wimpy exhuast stud (a problem that was common to the beast).

If I wanted to just retorque the header bolts myself, would you guys use a closed-end wrench, or combo or wrenches. (I have the Helm, but if one of you guys wouldn't mind a quick tire/summary/tool list, I'd appreciate it (e.g. what mm size wrench, thin wall socket, etc, etc)



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2001 Satin Silver Cl-S w/ NAVI

• Mud Guards
• Wheel locks
• Toyo 235/45ZR17-97W* T1S Proxies on Stock 17" CLS wheels
• Gtech 1/8th tank 40F ~=6.1
• Zaino magic
• 14.8lb 17x8" SSR Competition rims on the way
• Sways, headers, CAI comming soon

 

Scalbert,
I've got 11,000 miles on the car. Your pictures are great! Can you confirm that the stock manifold mating surface to the head is flat? It looked like it from the pictures, and if so the gaskets should have no indentations in them. If these mating surfaces are flat, and the gaskets have no indentations, I should be good to go.

Thanks!

 

I checked them about a month after the install and they were still tight.

As for tools, most of the header nuts can be handled with a deep 12mm socket. A small wrench is required for the front drivers side bolt near the alternator. But from what I remember the rest can be handled with a deep socket.

BTW, get at the rear nuts from the drivers side. Once your hand is down in the 'hole' there is plenty of room to work.

 

Mine was, I even pulled the gasket and checked it during the install. While off I felt the surface of the heads and it was as flat as needed (modern manufacturering tolerances do work well). I didn't put a plane on it, but it did feel flat. No leaks so far at least...

 

To test for leaks, this trick may help.

Locate and buy a "smoke can" (usually, used to test smoke detctors) while runing your engine spray some smoke around the headers bolts. If you have any leaks that would evident by how the smoke is disturbed.

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Black, Ebony, 3.2 CL Type-S.
- Acura NAV.
- 3M clear bra (full front bumper, and side mirros)
- Wheels locks.
- Mooonroof visor
- Splash guards,
- Winter mats,
- Trunk liner,
- Acura Spoiler.
- Valentine V1 Radar Locator.
- PIAA 19169 road lamps.
- 03/19/01: Injen Polished CAI

 

As a matter of fact I advise our customers who elect to install headers that it is cheap insurance to replace the gaskets.They cost little (under 20) and give me peace of mind that I do not have any problems down the road.The slightly uneven areas inside the headers are common and should not tbe considered a problem.Although if you want you could smooth things out a bit by carefully using a die grinder to even things out.Jens

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1992 mazda Miata lowered with Eibach springs KYB AGX adjustable struts Sparco racing buckets 4 point safety harnesses Momo steering wheel lo profile headlite system with PIAA superwhite bulbs Custom audio system Custom gauges Jackson racing supercharger with header and Greddy cat back exhaust and a ton of other stuff 2000 Honda Civic on APEX coilovers Full Alpine Audio system factory fogs with Piaa bulbs Catz ZETA headlamp system tinted custom taillites and on and on

 

Jens,

Do you have pics of your cars?

spiro

 

Currently I have no pics of my cars as I do not own a digital camera or a scanner however I eventually would like to do what quite a few members of this board have done and set up a page with pics of cars etc.However currently I am saving money for an intercooler for my Miata and some nice wheels for the Honda.jens

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1992 mazda Miata lowered with Eibach springs KYB AGX adjustable struts Sparco racing buckets 4 point safety harnesses Momo steering wheel lo profile headlite system with PIAA superwhite bulbs Custom audio system Custom gauges Jackson racing supercharger with header and Greddy cat back exhaust and a ton of other stuff 2000 Honda Civic on APEX coilovers Full Alpine Audio system factory fogs with Piaa bulbs Catz ZETA headlamp system tinted custom taillites and on and on

 

Jens,

Thanks for your input! Being overly cautious, I ordered new exhaust manifold gaskets. Apparently, where the header tubes mitre together on the inside, there is some minor gap allowance for expansion and that they're all built like that.

 

Sounds believable to me good luck with the headers I am sure you will enjoy them as they make quite a difference on these cars.Jens

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1992 mazda Miata lowered with Eibach springs KYB AGX adjustable struts Sparco racing buckets 4 point safety harnesses Momo steering wheel lo profile headlite system with PIAA superwhite bulbs Custom audio system Custom gauges Jackson racing supercharger with header and Greddy cat back exhaust and a ton of other stuff 2000 Honda Civic on APEX coilovers Full Alpine Audio system factory fogs with Piaa bulbs Catz ZETA high beam headlamp system H.I.D. Xenon low beam tinted, custom taillites and on and on