I will be ordering some headers soon and was hoping someone with experience with them could help. I am assuming the headers are the same for the TL-P as well as the TL-S. Is this correct? Is autocarparts.com a good place to buy them? What kind of power gains can I expect? Any input much appreciated.

 

If you do a search in our forum and the TL forum for Comptech Headers Literally 100's of post will pop up with everything from actualy dyno's to member opinions. That way you can get all the ino you need to decide if its worth the $1000.

Autocarparts is a great place to buy with hard to beat prices. Power gain sin summary are about 30hp to the wheels not at the crank for a TL-S or CL-S, a bit less for a base model. Personally I'll be gettin em i awhile

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Just call me..................Mr Hyde

TL Type-S Moderator
02 Aegean Blue TL Type-S with Navi
Accord Forum Moderator/Honda-Acura.net
96 Sherwood Green Accord EX

 

Looking at the Dyno curve for the Comptech
header on a TL-S (I think) I notice it doesn't really start making any more power
than stock until about 5700 RPM. Since we redline about 6700 RPM thats about 1000RPM (I am a math genius ) of usable power. So unless you take your car to over 5700 on every gear change, you will not benefit from
the headers at all. Except for maybe another
mile or two per gallon.
In summary, for the $1100 or so header is
gonna cost, I would say not worth it. For
somebody who wants every HP out of the car
there car fine. But for the average daily
driver, money is much better spent on suspension, for now.
Once they come up with a full exhaust (new
cat. etc). that starts making more power in
a more usable power band, I'm there.
I think the Comptech header is a great start,
but it is being greatly restricted by the rest of the exhaust system.
In fact, I may put my money where my mouth is. I race RX-7's in the SCCA and my local
race shop has a dyno and do a fair amount
of development work. Maybe I'll leave mine with them for a week or so and see what they
can come up with. I guess that means I also need to buy the headers to give them
something to work with. Hmmmmm....

Differing opinions please speak up. Just my
somewhat ignorant rantings.

Happy speeding...er, I mean motoring.

Dan

 

I've had mine for a week and a half or so... and I feel additional power only after VTEC engages... mid 4000's RPM. So it's true that they will not add power where you'll do a lot of your daily driving. If you plan on going to the track for some fun... I can tell you that they do work. My times improved my .4 and they gained me about 2.5MPH through the traps. For me, they were worth the coin. It all depends on what you value.

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2000 WDP 3.2TL non-NAV
AEM CAI w/bypass, Comptech header

 

How is the noise level with the headers? is it noticable at cruising speeds? Also, if you have the exhaust from Comptech, is it loud, do you hear it in the cabin very much.

 

specrx777 and RAdams:

Well said. If you go to the track, and want the extra bit at the top, have at it! Otherwise, it seems that your money may be better spent elsewhere.

 

I think if you want to save a lot of money, and still want to improve low-end performance --> invest in some nice tires for your TL-S .. Potenza RE730's or something, that'll significantly reduce traction losses on aggressive starts and you'll feel that "neck-snapping" acceleration right off the bat. Not to mention your car will handle a little better in the twisties and in tight, 90 degree turns .. I'd say it's an all around great option --> however, your new tires will be much more short-lived than your Michelines .. avg. lifespan for a sport-performance tire in my experience is about 25,000 miles .. Mich's are about 45,000 I believe.

But in favor of headers, on the other hand, I've often been crusing at 45 or 50, and I love to then drop into 2nd gear .. bringin' the rpms up to about 4400 .. vtec range, and then just mash it and feel that power to slip by someone .. I think I'd LOVE the feel of headers in that situation.

Tough choice! best of luck.