Hey guys, I finally decided to get headers for my 02 TL-S, but I'm kinda new to this and have no experience.

I read the long thread about XS Power Headers, and for the post part I'm convinced that they're really good headers, but then when I spoke to my mechanic, he told me that they have a really bad build quality, and that the welds will usually break after about a year.

He recommended DC Sports Headers, but they are more expensive, and I cant even find them anywhere.

What I did find is OBX Headers, and from the sellers description, it sounds like these are really high quality headers, with a very good build quality, but they are ~ $300, however they supposedly come with a lifetime manufacturer warranty.

Has anybody had any prior experiences with OBX Headers?

Also, the people who own XS Power Headers for over a year, any problems with them?

Also, my biggest question, what the hell is this resonance I keep hearing about? what is it? How can it be prevented?

 

yea this resonance shit is getting me, it makes my car sounds like crap at certain RPM..

 

XS headers are good bang for the buck. even if you had to replace them every year, they still arent as much as comptech headers. But most members that have XS headers dont have too many problems even ones that have had them for over a year. Most of the low cost headers do have more resonance. DC headers i've heard are pretty good but a little costly. OBX, i wouldnt buy. comptech are top notch but the price, most wouldnt sheel out so they go XS

 

I've done a fair share of research and seem to be leaning toward getting OBX headers at around $333 shipped.

But is there a reason why you wouldn't buy OBX? Is it because of the fitment issues they had in their first batch?

I'm amost 99% positive that the fitment issues were corrected, and the OBX Headers also come with a lifetime warranty, so you cant really go wrong there

 

So I've done a few more searches and from what I've read, almost everyone that got OBX Headers are pretty happy with them, but then again all my searches were from people who got this done back in 2003, and I'd really like to know how they are holding up now

 

Well i personally havent heard too many problems from them but i assume they are near the quality of XS headers and i guess that people arent willing to pay 3 times as much to get headers that are only slightly better. If both XS and OBX headers dont have fitment issues or major problems but they both have about the same sound resonance, something that any warranty wont cover, then you might see why people may have chosen XS over OBX

 

most that had OBX hated them for the resonance. Ive had my XS headers for over a year and over 50k miles and they are holding up great. For 100 bucks you cant go wrong. I have 0 resonance with mine.

 

Did you do anything special to your XS headers to avoid the resonance?

So if my mechanic installs them properly with the bigger bolts and does everything correctly, then there shouldn't be any problems down the line, correct?

Also, from my understanding, resonance is just a weird sound that happens between 2500 - 3000 rpm, is that right?

can anybody describe what it sounds like? anybody got a sound clip of it?

 

it sounds raspy, bumble bees like for those rpm you mentioned

 

I helped my friend install his xs headers and it took us a good 4 hours because they dont have a snug fitment. On top of being a real pain to install, the resonance became so unbareble he bought a set of ceramic dc's a couple of days later and had a muffler shop install them. In my opinion just get it done right the first time

 

I helped my friend install his xs headers and it took us a good 4 hours because they dont have a snug fitment and the lack of room in the engine compartment. On top of being a real pain to install, the resonance became so unbareble he bought a set of ceramic dc's a couple of days later and had a muffler shop install them. In my opinion just get it done right the first time

 

does it really matter if I get ceramic coated or stainless steel coated headers?

I'd really wanna get the stainless steel ones, but just would like to know if it makes anykind of difference performance wise

 

Performance wise there really isn't a big diffrence. Well, not one that you can feel anyway. Ceramic coating keeps the headers from reaching as high of temperature which in turn keeps your engine bay temperatures cooler.

 

so which coating would you personally recommend?

 

Resonance with the XS headers are touch and go for some and others. Some people dont have problems with them while others, like Calilove4L's friend is quite loud. Wrapping the headers may help with the resonance.

 

I am a big proponent of XS Headers and then get them coated at Jet Hot, or HPC, it will run about $200. I had a real bad experience with DC Sports headers on my car and refuse to go back to them, plus their ceramic coating held up worth shit in the winter (salt). They rusted terribly, cracked at two different spots in the welds and had bad resonance from day one, and that happened all in one year. After that I bought XS got them coated, have had them on a year now, and not one spot of rust on them, or any kind of resonance. They are as pretty as they were day one when fsttyms1 help me put them on.

 

i have no issues with resonance as i have had XS power headers on for quite awhile. lets say about a year. no cracking or such. i was thinking about "upgrading" to Megan but i don't think its an upgrade and read about some bad issues with them. OBX = terrible. DC sports is good. just as long its the newer version. (I don't kno what the newer version differs from the older) the older version had problems with cracking and resonance also. If you find the newer version, go get one. Comptech is pricey but its top notch. XS power were made based off of comptech.

between ceramic coating and polished. there's like. 1-3? hp difference (i'm not sure...) but i don't mind the polished look.

with XS power, its a hit or a miss. you either get POS headers from them or get really really good ones like how fsttyms1 did and me. and probably many others. XS power is a big bang for your buck.

 

I just got XS headers on my car few weeks ago. Im very happy with them so far. I do get some resonance, but not to where it bothers me. But ya the guy at the shop that I always take it to quoted me 200 before the job (which took about 4hrs by himself) and said it was a real PITA. Told me to tell ppl 250 if I ever recommend a 2nd gen TL to get headers install there lol

 

4 hours. wow. you should've offered to help out so you/he can finish it in 2 hours and ask him for a discount. hahaha

 

lol most people just get in the way :p

 

from what Ive experienced the ceramic dc's have payed off but really like all aftermarket parts some will differ from others.


lol IMO some people just get in the way

 

yea, i know what you mean. haha. but for something like this? i like to have a buddy of mine just help me with the small things like, "hold the downpipe up so i can screw it to the manifold, etc etc. "

 

The newer DC headers have a 3 bolt flange instead of 2 bolt and they improved the quality some. Megans are not an upgrade, people have gone from megans to XS and have called that an upgrade. personally i think it goes
Comptech > DC Sports > XS Power

 

i have the XS for a while and i like them with no problem

 

ive had XS for over a year and 30K...survived 2 winters and i took the downpipe off to install the new O2 bung for my wideband and it still looks almost new. I would go with XS or DC if u got the dough. Im 100% resonance free since day 1.

 

yea, thats why i didn't go with them and quoted upgrade. lol.

 

I really would go with DC Sports but they are just nowhere to be found.

 

They are back ordered til May 08

 

I too read a lot of issues with the Megan Racing headers. That didn't deter me, I bought them last year and took some extra precautions and certains steps during install and everything fit and sounded excellent.
I bought myself a tube of Permatex High heat Gasket material and used the supplied metal gaskets. I first loose fit everything including downpipe. I then gradually tightened down the bolts in a staggered pattern so everything got tightened down around the time. It lined up perfect with my new Tanabe SMH Cat Back System. I have yet to have a leak or rattle from my system. Along with the Injen RD CAI the car sounds and performs awesome. She has a deep throaty sound at idle and cruise and then turns NASCA sound when you give Er some. I also have the Unichip module installed.
I am looking for a good local dyno shop to tune up the module and car. If anyone knows of a place in Northern New England (NH) that can properly tune the Unichip Module, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

does anybody know what size bolts to get that screw into the cat?

 

You shouldnt have to replace those. If you do be for warned that they are pressed into the flange.

 

Everything I have is Comptech / CT Engineering - awesome stuff. I have had zero problems with anything and the performance is outstanding.

 

same here^^

 

I had some fitment problems with the xs headers. I ended up having to mill the flanges level so they snugged up tight to the block and i also had to cut and re-weld the downpipe for an optimal fit.

with that said. I love these things, best $90 i spent on the car.

 

do you guys know the HP difference?
cause i want headers too, and thinking about the XS.

 

18 for tl-p and up to 30 on a tl-s, or so i've been told. i'm STILL skeptical lol

100 bucks for that kind of power is probably the best there ever will be. but still, that leak and resonance, even if it's 50% chance i'd just go DC and get it done

 

where can i get these headers any specific websites that have them cheaper?

 

i know this is a stupid question, but what brand are these XS headers?

 

XS-power website

BUY FROM THESE SITES

XS-Power Headers


Also here.. last item.

 

you guys feel the differents after swiching from stock how notisable is it?