I have an 03 TL-P completely stock. I wanna start doing performance modifications so I've been doing some research. I've never modified any of my cars in the past so I'm very new to this. I was looking into stainless steel headers and just wanted some advice on the best brands. Thank you in advance for all your help.

 

why Stainless steel? The only true good one is the Comptech header, but get ready to pay for it. The next best is the DC sports ceramic coated header

 

^ Cuz Stainless Steel gets an amazing Golden Color once it gets hot?




My DC Sports Headers looks dull compared to those... They work but a little eye candy + performance is better..

 

I was considering stainless steel cause to my understanding ceramic headers can sometimes crack. While researching I came across OBX racing headers but don't know if that brand is any good. Also, how much does Comptech go for???

 

^ Used Competech goes for 700-900bucks
DC Headers do crack their ceramic coating (At least mine did).

Some people had good results with OBX but they were known to be hit and miss.

 

OK thanks, I'm gonna look into getting comptech

 

Goodluck even finding it. It's an extremely rare performance part for our cars. Only worth getting if you live in California due to CARB laws.

With the money you are willing to spend, custom long tube headers are the way to go. Way better performance, but more work.

 

Headers shouldnt be bought for eye-candy People cant see them driving down the road. Ceramic coated helps keep the heat in the header which in turn creates more power Cracking really comes down to the metal used for the actual header and welds (and fitment, if forced together they will crack). A good set will last. I had a few sets of DC ceramic coated headers over the years on other cars and never had a crack in any of them with all of them having well over 200k miles.

 

We carry the DC Sports Ceramic coated stainless steel headers for your vehicle for $380.89! You can order them right from our website by adding them to cart and proceeding with checkout.
DC Sports Ceramic Headers - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

 

Unless we are Wooting all day the headers wont get extremely hot so having that Ceramic Coat is rather pointless to the guy who just wants more power but still open the hood for show in shows?.. I've seen plenty Hondas with SS Headers and they don't melt of damage anything from the header radiation I don't think we would either.


My DC Sports did crack on me with less than 100K on them bad batch I presume? Still wont send them back just for that, Installing them was PITA as is..

 

Of course you wont see ss headers melting things under the hood. Preventing that isnt the purpose of having a coated/wrapped header. While it does help to reduce underhood temps which does help in every day driving, that isnt the main purpose of ceramic coatings (or wraps). Ceramic coatings & exhaust wraps help contain the heat within your exhaust pipes. This causes the gasses to heat up and expand. Since the exhaust gas is trapped within the system, it expands the only direction it can—out of the tailpipe. As a result, exhaust flow is boosted, allowing it to scavenge more out of the cyl, along with on the exhaust/intake valve overlap allow it to pull more air into the engine’s cylinders due to the increased pressure leaving the exhaust system, increasing horsepower. So no, its not pointless, even if you arent wot'ing all day.

 

^ Sounds Legit.. But I still rather have the cool SS look that wrapped or ceramic coating. If I have to replace my headers (Which I doubt) I will look at OBX instead of DC Again.

 

I'm running the current XS-power sport headers (Comptech clone) Worth every penny! Plus you can have them ceramic coated for what the DC's will cost and you'll have thinker better coating and they will clear the 6 speed engine mount if you end up going that route.

 

The only issue I've had with my DC Sports headers was leaking with the original two-holed flanges in their first batch for my TL-S. Once that has fixed, I haven't had any problems with leaking, or cracking for that matter. I've had the same pair for over eight years.

 

Perhaps my beautiful +120°F outside on summer doesn't help me?

 

Considering they can get over 600 deg very often, doubtful.

 

So you mean that outside temperature doesn't promote to make them rise even more in temperature? If outside is 200°F they will still get only to 600°F?


I thought:
Outside Temp High = Higher Temps
Outside Temp Normal = Normal Temps
Outside Temp Low = Lower Temps¨


At least the engine works that way.

 

just installed my OBX headers after ordering direct from OBX on Amazon.com $280 shipped
just make sure that you follow the Header installs instructions to a T, the ones posted here on acurazine.com

also on my OBX the O2 sensor was supper tight against the tranny. unscrewing it causing the wires to twist and fail. Making for a parts run at 8:30 at night in dirty clothes for a new o2 sensor

Also on my Headers the holes were just a touch off - requiring me to grind on the mounting holes on the flanges. The middle upper bolt was a touch high - you can kinda see it in the picture.

 

I bought a set of Manzo M2-TP-048 headers on ebay. I was a bit disappointed by the way the header outlet flange suddenly steps down from 2-1/4" to 2" to match the stock catalytic converter. I replaced my '99 stock catalytic converter with a Magnaflow 2-1/2" inlet/outlet model that matches my 2.5" exhaust system.
I cut the 2" outlet flange off the header and welded on a short length of 2-1/2" tubing with a 2-1/2" 3-hole exhaust flange to fit over the 2-1/4" header outlet. The exhaust system is now 2-1/2" from the header outlet back, eliminating the stock catalytic converter flow restrictions.