Hey Everyone,
I was just wondering what is the difference between OBX headers & downpipe & Comptech Headers & downpipe? How are they different and where is the best place to buy either one? Please let me know ASAP if any of you know of a good place to buy from. Thanks for all your help!

PimpinCLS03 aka Mario

 

The biggest difference is that there are no OBX headers made for your six speed manual transmission equipped CL Type S. Your only choice is the higher quality Comptech headers.

The OBX vs. Comptech debate is a non-issue for you.

 

You might won't to do a search for this topic. This subject has been beaten to death. OBX brought the rights to copy Comptech header design. Many say that since Comptech makes exclusive stuff for Honda/Acura, they are the better between the two. Regarding price, Comptech is more pricey, but people say you get what you pay for. I have OBX, and haven't had any problems.

 

I think you meant to say they STOLE the design.
THAT would be a more accurate statement.

Shawn S

 

hey, they stole it and i bought it and installed it for half of what comptechs cost. I've had mine for about a year and have beat them through New Yorks badest winter in years, and they still look better than my boys 4 month old comptechs. Its funny how obx owners never hate on comptechs, but comptech owners always hate on obx's. We are happy that we got a good deal for the same product, some of you comptech guys are bitter that we got a good deal for the same product.

 

So where did you get them? And is it true, OBX do not make headers & Downpipe for 2003 CL-S 6 speed? Please let me know

PimpinCLS03

 

comptech owners are just bitter that they paid THREE TIMES the amount that OBX owners paid for the essentially the same product. sure, there are occasional fitment issues and sure, the welds arent as clean, but all in all, if you have an automatic CL-S, theres no reason under the sun to even consider comptechs headers anymore, theres just no reason. you get the SAME gains and results for less than 1/3 the price. who can argue with that??

 

correct, OBX does not make headers for the 6 speed. only comptech does. you may, however, be able to find a welder or someone who could alter the OBX headers to mimic what the 6 speed comptech headers are like. its only ONE bend in ONE pipe that is different, so its doable.

 

well said. I noticed the same thing about the bashing. Oh well, whatever.

Anyway, had my OBX installed last Thurs... and like everyone predicted, after a few days the power is there. Pulls like a mother now. Guess Jens was right that the ECU needed a few days to adapt. Anyway, for $340 shipped... I'm extremely happy with my purchase.

As for the fitment... the guys above are correct, the OBX headers do not fit the 6-speed, so your only option is Comptech.

 

you can try, but if you want a clean product then you can get the comptechs which are made for the 6 speed. Also one thing to note is that almost every one that i know that has recently purchased the obx have no fitment issues at all. Also one comptech guy told me that he and another comptech owner were mad because they paid the 1000 plus to be exclusive and have power that most people couldnt afford. Now you have almost every modder doing headers and having the almighty headers is the norm now. Now you have to have a 5000 supercharger or turbo to be exclusive.

 

i want to order the OBX headers but where can i get them from and who knows the best price i can get them at? I'll probably just get them installed at PAA.

Thanks...

 

jimcol711 (and to whom it may concern),

I am not bitter, or being argumentative, but the reason I bought Comtech rather than OBX or Stone headers is for the CARB sticker. If you do not live in California, it is not a concern, otherwise the equipment will be examined when you get your car smog checked. Since the testing will become more stringent here in the near future (and restoring everything to O.E.M. beforehand is too much hassle), I prefer to get gear that will pass inspection.

 

And away we go again.....

Lets see.....Comptech did NOT sell the design---these things cannot be copyrighted--so they were open to be copied by other companies, but no one ever did.....until OBX and now Stone Racing.

Comptech uses U.S. made stainless from a company located in TX and the quality and consistancy from one batch to the next is second to none. Does the stainless cost 3-4 times as much to get than it does to buy from overseas? Absolutely. Can/could Comptech buy imported stainless? Sure. Would it be as consistant? Not by a long shot.

I know this statement is hard for many to believe, but Comptech prices their parts based on what it costs them to build them. They are not priced at what the "market will bear" as many think.

Both of the headers make similar gains have their fans, but Comptech is the only one currently CARB approved (as goodjob stated).

I have said this before and will stand by it--you do get what you pay for. Also, if you are a 6Speed owner, your only option currently is Comptech--imagine that......the first Company with a header available for our cars is also the ONLY one with a 6Speed fitment.

Sorry for the long post.

Dean Baty

 

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I'm not "HATEN" on OBX.

Like was posted above, us 6-Speeders can only buy Comptech and I'm fine with that.

Back when OBX first came out I gave my opinion of their quality.
I'm a Mechanical Engineer and I deal with steel fabrication shops nearly every day.
I know what a shitty weld looks like and I'm not afraid to point one out.
I'm glad you guys are saving some money, but I just want the truth told about how OBX got their designs.
THEY STOLE THEM FROM COMPTECH.

Most of the early OBX installs didn't happen unless the installer had a drill, pry-bar, grinder and most importantly a BIG FUCKING HAMMER in the shop.

One product is built per ASME specs in a Union shop in California while the other is built in a sweatshop in Asia by some guy making 15-bucks a day.
You get what you pay for.

Shawn S

 

 

Where is the best place to buy the OBX headers? I see juniorbean got them for $340 shipped, who.. Where from?

 

Do a search on E-bay, that's where I got mine. $325+shipping if I remember correctly.

 

One thing to consider--

Comptech is Factory Authorized

What happens if the OBX headers fail and cause damage?

 

What damage can headers cause? They expel exhaust gas. I wouldn't buy OBX for something that affects moving parts, but headers won't damage the car

 

ROund and round we go....

juniorbean...did you get the resonance? I love my headers but hate that resonance. Makes me drive a lot faster to avoid that 2500rpm range.

I think that the Comps don't have the resonance so OBX didn't copy the design all the way...or they cheaped out on machining the welds or something. Nashua thinks it is the welds. In any case, the gains are there...we have dynos to prove it.

 

they do not cause damage and don't void the warranty. The only way you can get screwed on warranty is if they can prove that an aftermarket part failed to cause the damage. Headers I can't imagine failing. Intakes might if you never clean the filter or something.

 

:noob: :noob:

 

werd? only like 350 bucks? damn... i'm in. who da fvck cares about a damn weld?! i'm not gonna be seeing my engine compartment, i could care less what it looks like (just like how my intake has NEVER been polished).

i'm gonna get me some headers next hmm... or sways?