Oakroadsteve

I had my XS Headers installed last weekend after paying $110 plus $30 shipping. It cost me another $285 for the install.

First thing I noticed was the resonance at 2500 rpm plus the hissing noise. After reading the posts here I figured they could be resolved no problem.

Following morning I took my auto CLs out and ran 14.22 and 14.28 according to my Gtech accelerometer. The best time I ever ran before was a 14.6 in the qtr.

30 to 80 runs were 6.6 to 6.9. The best i ever ran before was a 7.28. It would appear the claim of a 30 hp increase with the headers is accurate.

I took my CL back to the shop and the installer found nothing wrong and told me to live with the noise. Since then I had it checked by two muffler shops and the consensus is the resonance is coming from inside the catalytic converter. He suggested a hi flow converter but shared it could make the noise worse.

I am wondering if a new stock cat would be worth the gamble. I have noted that some of my brothers out there have had no problems while many have had similar issues.

All three shops were very impressed with the quality of the headers. I like the improvement in the performance but the resonance is noticable even if it is only at 2500 rpm. I can live with the hissing but am considering going back to the stock headers for peace of mind.

nbennettksu

iTrader: (2)

I got an RT high flow cat on the way to compliment my XS Headers, should be sent out first of May.... I think that the hissing noise is just the air flowing much easier through pipes that are not as thick as the OEM ones.....?

fenixxishot

the way i look at it is do you want more power and no hissing=CT headers more power and hissing=XS less power and no hissing=stock

LiquidCLs6

has this hissing noise came up with everyone who installed these headers? if so how'd u fix it? I want these but not if the noise comes with em'. thanks...

INSPIRE 32V

iTrader: (1)

i remeber i installed those on my 2000 TL and i hated the hissing noise cuz it sounded like i was driving a civic

gaping46and2

iTrader: (2)

No, not everyone who has installed XS headers has a problem with a "hissing" noise. As with all aftermarket headers, there will ALWAYS be an increase in noise, due to the fact the air is more free flowing, and the metal is thinner than the stock piping. It's just a fact of life and people need to deal with it.

Dirty Type-S

TROOF.

zigzagzig

too bad there's nowhere to buy them anymore after the ebay stores got pulled

nbennettksu

iTrader: (2)

mrsteve

iTrader: (1)

You can buy them off their website.

BigLizard

After installing the RT cat on my car, the resonance from the headers went away almost completely.

gaping46and2

iTrader: (2)

http://www.ssautochrome.com/

fsttyms1

No noise from mine. Had them on almost 30k miles now.

OneUpYou

Installed mine about a week ago, hissing and a little resonance and all. Put a Magnaflow cat on today, hissing is still there and resonance was reduced a little. If you don't want to compromise the luxury side of your car, don't modd it(IMO). The more you modd it the more it turns in to a sports car (rougher ride, hissing and loud noises from exhaust and intake, squeaking from polly bushing ect.) I know there is fixes from some of these but there is always a compromise. IMAHO of course.
Personally I love the sound of these headers with a high flow cat

zigzagzig

looks like they're listed at $368.50 now...

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

well if u paid around $150 for around 20-30 HP gains... resonance is a high possibility. xs power and comptech are the most popular choice IMO. compare $150 to $1100. comptech's are the BEST, but the price isn't. so i would never pay $1100 just for headers... so they are worth it, WAY worth it.

Glasuan

My hissing gets much better as the car warms up.

LiquidCLs6

aight, well if theres anyway i can get these for 150 shipped still i'll place my order now! now this hissing noise, is it a noise like the CAI makes in high rpm's? like does it sound good for a sport car, or just rediculously annoying, n like a ricer?

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

if you are gonna go back to stock, would trade mine plus cash or just buy them from you

BigLizard

hard to explain. you'll have to listen to it for yourself.

I know my AEM CAI makes a loud hissing sound if I'm feathering the gas pedal...

The headers hissing is not as loud as the CAI.

tnobori1

I agree, the hissing from the headers is less than from the CAI. It all comes down to how anal you are (and that isn't a bad thing, just how some people are). I don't think it sounds like a Civic and the resonance frequency really isnt that bad. Like everyone else is saying, definitely worth the gains!

BTW, at idle, the car still basically sounds stock.

stic2it

iTrader: (1)

I agree the AEM CAI is loud on cold starts, gets better but you can def. hear the vacuum sound on those cold mornings. If the xs headers are louder than I'll be searching for some comptech headers...I may buy a set if the price is right...

gaping46and2

iTrader: (2)

There is deffinately more noise on colder mornings, but it clears up after about 5 minutes of driving till the car gets warmed up. I'd hardly compare the sound of these headers to a Civic. The CL stock doesn't even compare. Now if your going to put a couple of coffee cans on the back of the CL, then you've got other things to worry about than sounding like a Civic.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

i think gaping46and2 is trying to say is that our cars are that sexy...

BigLizard

Even with full exhaust my car is still pretty quiet...only when the engine is warm.

jproy

20000 and no noise or problems. I am about to put my blower on and see what happens.

CLSixspeed

I had my headers installed last night... I have a few gripes that make me reconsider if i want these headers..

1. WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO THE VTEC SWOOSH?!!
2. SOUNDS LIKE A NORMAL EVERYDAY V6 UNDER LOAD NOW
3. WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS HISS NOISE WHEN EVER I TOUCH THE GAS
4. THIS FUCKING HISS NOISE IS PISSING ME OFF
5. THE A-PIPE FITMENT TO THE MANIFOLDS PRETTY MUCH SUCKED
6. THIS HISSING NOISE WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED...I'VE HAD HEADERS ON NUMEROUS CARS BEFORE... THIS IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT. IT SOUNDS LIKE A LEAK BUT I'VE HAD THEM LEAKED TESTED..NONE.

GOOD THINGS
1. ABSOLUTELY PULLS HARDER THEN STOCK ONCE YOU HIT 4500 RPM
2. EXHAUST NOISE AT THE MUFFLERS SOUNDS CLOSE TO AN NSX NOW... COOL

AGAIN, I MISS THE VTEC TONE!! ITS HARD TO DEAL WITH THAT...SINCE THAT WAS ONE THING THAT ATTRACTED ME TO THIS CAR. ITS LOST ITS CHARACTER... SO I GUESS WE'LL SEE HOW LONG I KEEP THEM ON.

ALSO DID YOUR HEADER BOX HAVE 3.0L ACCORD STAMPED ON IT? MINE DID...

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

This is the last post I'm making in a header thread. I'm DONE!

ALL the info is out there.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

yes, the fitment is exactly the same as the 98-02 (not sure about years) 3.0L accord v6.

there will be resonance, but not too much. and don't rant like that... makes you look like a retard.

CLSixspeed

oh ok, i really dont care what it makes me look like... its an internet forum, its for ranting and all sorts of other non verbal communication

fsttyms1

Yes it is a internet forum, but when ranting like that you are less likely to get responses.

Oh and are you sure every thing was installed correctly with No leaks? The VTEC sound should not have disappeared.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

While I do hate XS Power/SS Autochrome and think their product is garbage, it should not have eliminated the "VTEC sound" like Kris said. Kris what is the name of that valve? IRMC? It's near the top of the valve cover and to the passenger side. When VTEC engages you will see a butterfly click over and that will let you know VTEC is working.

CLSixspeed

does that valve ,make a click when it engages? i noticed a click that i hadnt before..but maybe i was being hyper sensitive to noises..

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

Yes it will make a click noise around 5K RPM.

spdy0001

Sorry but the IMRC has nothing to do with VTEC. IMRC opens up at an earlier RPM then VTEC engages. The IMRC is only on the Type S and works with the dual runner setup.

A bad IMRC is a common problem linked with loss of power, but can't tell you if your VTEC is working

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

LOL. Sorry. I'm out of my mind. Bear with me. I'm working too much.

2003TL-S

The IMRC pops open the secondary intake valve at 3800RPM, if it is not opening properly you won't hear VTEC as clearly as you would if it was working properly. I had this issue at one time.

2003TL-S

I believe this is UK pricing

CLSixspeed

well the IMRC seems to be working.. it moved when i hit 3800+.. sooo i dont know which direction to go now...

slow scoob

i ut xs headers on my 3.0, slight hiss until i tightened them down again, other than that, no problems, sounds good, but its still on stock cat back.
overall for 140 w/ shipping and about 3 hours of install time, a few cuts and bruises, id say they were worth it