I found lots of other brand name V6 headers on the net, none of them are in the 4-figure price range except the CT for Accord V6/TL/CL. I really don't see how they can be this much more than others. Just wanted to vent

 

because supposedly you get unsurpassed quality and service. Comptech is in my hood, ill vent for ya

 

Tatewaki,

I thought the same thing when I wanted headers. I'm not an expert on stainless steel pipe construction but from what I understand Comptech headers are TIG welded which is much higher quality than your normal welding process. If you compare the Comptech headers with another set of headers like OBX or Stone, you can see where the differences lie. The welds on the comptech are smooth and even while the OBX/Stone header welds aren't consistent at all because they're done by hand. The edges of the Comptech headers are also smooth while the OBX/Stone headers can have sharp edges and rough spots where the steel was cut.

Is the difference in quality worth 3 or 4 times as much money as OBX/Stone headers? ... Probably not, but Comptech did also do the R&D behind the headers while OBX/Stone just copied the Comptech headers.

In addition to all of this, the quality control for the OBX/Stone headers imho is not as good as it is on the Comptech headers. With OBX, I've heard problems with the O2 sensor bung being in the wrong place and hitting the oil pan .. I've heard of OBX headers cracking as well. I personally purchased Stone headers, and the things didn't fit the first time (O2 sensor bung was so off that you couldn't even get the O2 sensor into the headers) so I wasted money on the installation. I got a 2nd set, which were even worse than the first one (The A-pipe wasn't even close to lining up). So in the end, I got rid of the Stone headers and got a used set of Comptech headers for a little bit more money and they fit 100% on the first try ... Nothing needed. It was a true bolt-on mod unlike my experience with Stone headers.

Now, the 3rd set of Stone headers will supposedly have a 100% fit, the first two almost always needed some sortof modification to fit.. So maybe the 3rd time is a charm and they'll be 100% bolt-on with that set. But for me, I ended up spending as much money if not MORE money on buying the Stone headers, wasting money on installation/uninstallation *2* times, and then buying the Comptech headers and paying for installation that I was wayyyyyy behind in terms of money spent versus just getting a NEW set of Comptech headers in the beginning and having 0 problems from the beginning.

 

Computech Headers are the best you can buy. They fit perfect the first time. When you buy the best , you pay for it.

 

i also have heard that people have had no problems with installing OBX headers. THey fit perfectly as well.. Ask superballs, he had obx headers and his installation went smoothly no problems.. and after having them for a year theree has been no signs of cracking... So my best bet is to buy a used one of comptech like Liqice did or just buy a new OBX headers on ebay only $299.00 just look around..

 

chances are you wont keep headers for more than 2 years.. MOst people who sell used Comptech, OBx, or stone headers only had them for 6 months, 8 months, a year or a year and a half.. I havent heard someone say "i had for 3 years on my TL or CL"

So if you have extra money to spend then get the used Comptech but if are tight with money and u want perfermance now not 2 years from now then get the OBX headers.. You'll probably sell them a year later or less..

 

i have headers and i dont plan on selling them, not even in 2yrs.. why would someone sell them after 2 years?


@cUr@-TL

 

well its just that most of the people that sell their headers never usually have had them for 3 years. I've have encounter about 15 people that were selling their headers on this forum for the last year and out of all of them only one had them for 2 years.. I dont know why people sell their headers when only having them for a short period of time.. its usually that they need the money or they selling their car...

 

Well obviously the people who have had them longer haven't sold them yet

 

Hey tatewaki

are you thinking about getting headers now...

 

i bought used comptech headers and it was not polished anymore... i took it to a place to get it coated for it to keep cooler so pretty much it is harder to crack

 

I'm thinking, but can't justify a set of CT. I'm leaning towards OBX. Even if it cracks and go through 2 sets, still cheaper than CT. I'm also searching for some other parts. let see how that goes

 

hey Tatewaki,

Why bother going through 2 sets? You have to factor in labour costs (not cheap unless you know people ... but why am I doubting you?) I'd say go CT ... and I know Hobes has a set sitting around somewhere ...

- derrick

 

because they crack to hell, and have holes where the welds are supposed to be.

 

So you're selling the leaky header to someone else ?!

 

Although I have also heard of people having no problems, I've also heard of people having multiple problems. I've heard of them not lining up properly, and cracking due to poor welds. Save up for the Comptech Headers, they seem well worth it, I plan to when I get the money(man I'm getting sick of saying that!)

Are used comptech headers easy to come by? If so, why? Also, is there anything in particular to look for in a used set?

 

you know i have seen many people selling their usded comptech headers.. so its i'd say on average to come by. I've also seen a few on ebay but its every now and then i see someone selling them on ebay..

 

they don't crack

 

From my understanding, each comptech piece, ( i.e. exhaust, headers ) are made at the time of the order. No Machine line at comptech..

 

Just for my understanding guys, what exactly is the A-Pipe?
Thanks.

 

Wow, way to bump an old thread. Why not just create your own new thread?

If you look at pictures of the V6 headers, there are three pieces, two downpipes that each have 3 pipes, 1 for each cylinder. Then there's a piece that attached to both downpipes, if you look at it, its kindof in the shape of the letter A. Thats the A-pipe.

 

Thanks man...the thing is, they were talking about it in the Integra forum. How would a 4 cyl. have an A pipe?
Thanks a bunch.
B

 

tatewaki...

did yu get headers yet?.

 

Huh? Doesn't make sense. An Integra header is 1 piece. Maybe they're just talking about the piece after it combines into 1 pipe, but thats not an A-Pipe. No idea...

 

Well that's what they tell you. I've had my Comptech headers for almost 4 years now and I've had no problems.

 

I just got my OBX headers today.. I've never seen CT headers, but I must say these OBX headers are rough as hell. The metal has really sharp edges, and the welds seem very coarsely done.

 

One thing that LiQice failed to mention that really affects cost is where they are made. California is about the most expensive state to run a business in while some of the others are made in countries where is is much cheaper to run a business and labor cost are much lower ie. Taiwan or India.

 

Your safest and probably cheapest and most secure way is to buy used CT headers. That is exactly what I did. It's been over 2 years now with no problems at all.

 

Okay, I got it...the A-Pipe on the integras is the 4 to 1 pipe. It's A-pipe, cat. converter, B-pipe.

 

hey tatewaki, i'm also in toronto and looking for ct headers. i called woodbine acura and they told me they would cost me $2000 installed. to me that sounds wayyyy toooo much! do you know of anywhere else that i could get them?

 

You pay extra for quality and a guarantee that it won't rust; just like they're springs

 

yea...i can't believe they're so expensive..
i mean ...a thousand bucks!..not including shipping and taxes and labor.
for what...on tl-p maybe 15 whp.

and they would probably sell alot more if they lowered the price.

where's all that cheap labor everybody talks about?.

and i have the gray springs..a year old..and they're rusting..