clc

I've had OBX headers for about 12K miles now...and I think I've had it with the resonance.

Makes my near-lux TL sound like a lawnmower at times, although my car IS faster.

Has anyone noticed that the resonance is louder when the AC is on?

Just bought some new header gaskets...don't know if I should put the stock headers back on, or just sink the $1K and get the comptech ones.

As for the comptech headers...I've read that the early ones have resonance issues also, so how do I tell if I'm getting an old one, or a new one?

Thanks in advance.

bug230

I have VERY little or no resonance but I have the CT exhaust to accompany them...I live in Arizona so I almost always have the A/C on and I notice no difference. I don't know what to tell you but maybe try tightening your headder bolts a bit sometimes they can come loose and cause some unwated noise at certin RPMs. It's worth a shot.


good luck

BlackShadow

I have the ct headers and I hear no resonance.

EddieXo

ill try your headers on my car for you if i dont give them back its not my fault

clc

Thank you for the input....but I think I'll get the CT headers. Don't want to go back to stock exhaust manifold, especially since other cars are made so fast nowadays.

ChucksCL-S

I switched from OBX to CT over six months ago and it has been great. You won't regret it. Just find some used ones, about $700 is right.

Chemmech

Yep, used is the way to go. $700 for headers, $250 for the ice box = less than one set of new comptech headers:toothless

clc

Where is the best place to find good, used CT headers? Ebay?

This is a probably a stupid question, but do the CT headers turn color like the OBX ones?

I had forgotten to polish the OBX headers before I started running my car, and now they are a gross gold/splotchy color.

I just don't want to purchase a set of used CT headers that look just as bad as my OBX's...

Thanks!

bigman

When did you get the obx, i have the headers and have no resonance

tl-steve222

I'm in the same boat, resonance! DAMN! I was thinking about getting the Comptech downpipe, what do you all think?

Mr Zipps

I have Stone Headers and I have not resonance whatsoever. Ive had them on for 3 months now...

Elementz

What's resonance? Seriously, I'm a noob.

clc

It's a buzzing sound coming from the engine area at certain RPMs. For me, it's like at 1500, and ~2900. Right after you pass those two points, it's gone.

tl-steve222

Right.... CLC, are you leaving it like that?

clc

Unfortunately, I still haven't made the switch to getting the Comptech headers at this time.

I want to get new headers, but man, it's hard to sink $1200 right before the holidays.

I'm going to make sure my OBX header nuts are torqued down to 23 ft-lbs this weekend, and see if that alleviates the problem. I haven't retorqued the nuts since the header installation a few months ago. Hopefully, it'll bring the resonance down low enough to my taste, so I wouldn't have to spend the money for the Comptech's.

G

tl-steve222

Cool. Let us know.


What are you using to torque it down with?

Mr Zipps

Get rid of the OBX and get some stone headers... I had no fitment problems with them and they dont have a resonance... They did an excellent job on the welding also...

bigman

damn you guys know how to bring back some old posts.

randomwalk101

I wrapped my OBX with header/thermo wrap...no resonance whatsoever...keeps it cool too..but looks like a mummified header..hehe

kennelm

Acoustic resonance - Intensification and prolongation of sound, especially of a musical tone, produced by sympathetic vibration.

One example: Resonance is the sound you hear when you blow across the top of a coke bottle...

kennelm

Where?

Thanks!

Allout

The newer Comptech header design is the one that also fits on the 6 speed manual CL-S. You can distinguish them by looking at the rear header (the one without the Comptech/CARB plate) which has a slight bend in one of the tubes. Stainless Steel will discolor with the heat and go Gold or Blue - even on the Comptechs. Check out the Black Market at this site. You can usually find some for sale there:
Parts for Sale

tl-steve222

What is the tape called? Thanks! You wrapped both? How far down?

bdv687

Mr. , where'd did you get your Stone Headers from, and for how much? Also, where are all the places people know of that sell the Stone Headers??

randomwalk101

i wrapped the whole header...all the way down to the o2 sensor. Looks like crap but hell, my car is not a show car, and if the hood is closed, nothing shows. It really keeps the engine bay cool (ei. temperature). I believe it's called DEI thermo header wrap. You can buy it at www.summitracing.com

tl-steve222

Good to go! Ordered the Thermo-tec w/ clamps. I will post later.

Thanks

slider2828

So after the thermal wrap how did everything go? Any resonance issues. and for all you OBX header peeps... did you headers leak or break welds? How long have you had it as well


Also stone headers.. where, how much? pics?

Thanks

tl-steve222

I heard the Thermo wrap might work to well! So well, it could melt the pipe! :wow: "Return to Sender" and got a refund. Still dealing with that small humm @ 2300 rpm. That is my only issue with the OBX header..... 3rd to 4th is SWEEETTT..WWUWWOOOOO!!! you know what I'm saying.

fsttyms1

you shouldnt have a problem with melting the pipe. the people who have encountered that are people with MODIFIED (usually turbocharged) high output engines. stock engines SHOULD NOT creat that type of heat that would cause that.
the tape is nice because it will reduce under hood air temp there by creating a better enviroment for the engine. i would say REORDER it and use it.

vsop TL-S

I love the OBX header but the resonance is getting to me as well. But I don't want to get rid of these headers because my girlfriend got them for me because she knew I wanted these headers for a while too. Oh well I think I might try that thermal wrap though.

Mr Hyde

Retorque those bolts, they can work themselves loose sometimes, and it coudl help.

Also about the header wrap, it does do a good job keeping the heat inside the headers, but if your headers were to crack, or a weld were to fail, etc, you will be out of luck. No one will warranty a header that has that Thermal wrap on it

tl-steve222

How are you able to put the right torque onto the header in the back of the engine? Getting to WORK in the limited space, etc? tools, something? Really, I'm a NOB!

edgalang

That's what happened to me. Even to the point that the NUT fell off while driving! I thought the "resonance" was normal, but it was really a loose bolt that caused the leakage in certain RPMs. Now I'm resonance free (that or I'm deaf).

goldendragon576

tighten the bolts and get exhausts. The biggest way to get rid of it, is don't floor it in 3rd, drop to second and go. the lower the gear the faster it blows past the 2500 mark so you won't hear anything anymore. works for me!