First the pics..

http://www.g3networks.net/

I've never attempted any mod of this type before so it was a bit of a challenge but I was able to complete it in 6 hours. I used an impact wrench, 'Deep Creep' (solvent for rusted bolts @ Autozone), and lots of brute force (esp on the cat conv. bolts).

The fit is perfect although I did have some concern when attaching the rear header and found that starting with the passenger side I could fit it on easier. There is just enough clearance under oil pan to not have any concern. The major headache was the left bolt on the front header to down pipe connection. The angle is such that you cannot fit a socket wrench in well enough to tighten it down. It was a struggle.

After finishing the installation I prompty took it for a drive and noticed a noticable improvement in responsiveness. I did disconnect the battery while working on the car so I hope the ecu had a chance to reset and adjust to the new headers. I also do notice a slightly lower idle which may be the ecu trying to compensate. When I drove to work on the interstate today it really made a difference at high speeds/rpms. The sound is great and no resonance (so far)

Overall I'm very pleased with the mod for $350 bucks. Being a computer guy and working on my car when I can and using the help from these forums, I have been able to make some noticable improvements for little investment.

A few tips I thought of during the 6 hours..

1. Heat is good - It was 40 degrees the morning I started and those nuts/bolts wouldn't move until I let the car idle and heat up. That along with the rusted bolt solvent and impact wrench made a difference.

2. Patience - I about gave up when I couldn't get the first bolt removed after an hour. Trying numerous things (heat, etc..) I finally started making progress. Slowly but surely.

3. Keep em loose - After installing the headers and down pipe I realized I had to "adjust" the connections to make them fit which meant going back and loosen the bolts on the headers so they could give and all bolts could align.

Hope this helps a few of you wondering like I did if you can do this yourself and if the DC Sports headers are a good pick. Thanks for all of your feedback and tips!

-Jake

 

Awesome! Thanks for the review.. keep us updated if there's any resonance or other problems.

 

Okay...I'm stupid with this particular point...Do you have to disconnect the battery when you are doing this? What if you didn't do that? What would the effects be? I was thinking of buying these headers and I wanted to make sure I got all my info before I installed these myself. BTW...great write-up

 

It's a good idea to disconnect the battery whenever you're doing work on the car.

And I didn't know DC Sports made headers for our cars now. Good write-up. Enjoy the new mod.

 

The header look great in the car. keep us updated, prop to you for being the first to try them.

 

Thanks guys.

The battery disconnect was suggested in numerous posts so that the ecu would reset and adjust to increased airflow (I think from what I've read). Still performing great this morning during the 20 mile drive to the office.

 

Great! finally a good cheap alternative to comptech. DC is great qualilty. Hopefully they will make them for the 6 speed manual.

 

Why? Your car is an auto.

 

Cause i heard teh 6 speed ones make more power!

 

Thanks for not only being the first but posting pics and letting us know how the install went, you just made my decision a lot easier!!!!!!!

 

any resonance?

 

No resonance at all. The sound is great and the car hums along nicely even during heavy acceleration.

 

Finally someone who can duplicate what Comptech has done. No fitment issues, no resonance, no 02 sensor bung issues, no oil pan rubbing issues. This is paradise for a parts vendor.

BTW I have a few of these coming in. Most are pre-sold but I'm putting in another order with DC so send payment to get on that order.

https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/dc-sports-header-groupbuy-tsx-04-cl-tl-317085/

 

NICE. i was wondering how the fit would be the B-pipe got me worried a bit. btu looks like the primarys are longer. looking good. thank god for another company to design something better. ohh yeah and dc sports used mid steel for the header and ceramic coating could this be the reason there is no resonance?? cause steel + the coating can damper it better than SS? looks good though. if i get problems and tired of my megans ill be buying a set of these. good looking out!!! enjoy them!!

 

Sweet. Now you need to ask if they can make a rear piece to fit the 6 speed manual!

 

I never understood all these companies. Why don't they just make the headers for a 6 speed since the 6 speed headers fit both the A/T and the M/T? It just makes sense to make it for the 6 speed. The only thing I can think of is that the R&D car they used was an A/T since 6 speeds are more rare.

And is it me or in Jakester's pics is the right mani have more of a bend in it? Almost as if it were a 6-speed header?

 

You know what it does look like it has more of a bend in it...

 

Jakester, is the manifold piece thts on the right (the one with the bigger bend in it) the one for the rear or front?

 

yeah thats weird,the first pic of the DC's i saw didnt have as pronouced a bend

 

Giddy Up!

 

question

if installed, and since they r ceramic coated, would carb cleaner fuck it up?

 

The one on the right is for the front as I remember. I did have them backwards and quickly discovered this when I crawled under the car and it was obvious there was no way they were going to connect to the downpipe.

 

interesting kris, looks like it just might fit the ol' six speed!!! that bend def looks like the bend needed for the six speeders. i got a set from excelerate and hopefully they'll be in soon so i can install.

THANKS for the review jakester.

 

When you get a chance can you double check? Because if that bend was actually for the rear there is a good chance it would fit the 6 speed!

 

that would be perfect timing for you man, just in time for the 6 speed swap!

 

Sickkkkkk!!!!! You being the first to try them is a biggg help for me and others on here. Now i can actually see if buying them for the price is worth it. Do you guys think the DC Headers would give about the same gains as the comptechs?? I mean, DC is a very good company just like comptech. I think comptech is overpriced though.

 

Yes. Half the gains from headers occur at 5500 rpm and above.

 

Looking at them there is a possibility that they would produce better gains. If you compare the 2 DC's bends are less severe than the comptech which should be less restriction.

 

hey for all that are interested i bout some knock off comptech headers....basically the company bout a comptech header and exactly copied it...i got it installed and i got a 13 hp increase from them they only cost me about 400....but i just wanted to let all with secd. gens...i can get them now for about 275-300 depeneding where u live....my moto is why pay more for the same power...so if u want them give me a shout...they are stainless steel T304 piping....super sick...check out the pics

 

post in the black market, And if those are not at least megans nobody is going to buy them at your price...........Hell I have a set of used Megans that I dont think i could get 50$ for.

 

good fuckin game man!!! im so excited for you and everyone on the board that wants some quality headers for a fair price!

 

Keep us updated with the quality of the headers as time passes. Thanks for the write up and sharing, it is most appreciated. Hopfully these aren't a bust like Megan, OBX, and what just happened with Alphawerks...only time will tell!

 

Thank you for the write up Jakester.

TLsu, DC Sports is nothing like the companies you mentioned. Some of those companies sprouted over night. DC has a very good reputation in the industry. And also don't forget that they're part of the AEM family. But I agree with you whole-heartedly when you said "only time will tell."

 

Hey Jakester...It's been a few days...still happy with you DC headers? I know it's only been a few days, but any issues? Do you feel any gains yet? Just curious...

 

Great! Thanks for the write up! I will definitely order mine soon

 

I noticed on the way home from work Friday a little 'whisping' sound like an air leak and started to get concerned. Turned out when I looked into it today the rear header needed some tightening to the down pipe. After that was taken care of all is well once again. I expected to have to adjust a little and the documentation states that after 500 miles to re-tighten all bolts etc.. Still love the gain in response and sound. Definately the best mod I've made so far!

-Jake

 

Thanks for keeping us informed on this. This will be my next mod if all continues well with you. We're all counting on you! (just kidding)

I'll be ordering mine in a few weeks. Thanks Jake.

 

I'm in the same boat as you Providence,going to play it safe

 

Just order the damn things already DC is a VERY well known company and they are a sure bet to be better than all others (other than comptech)

 

^^ yea even our toronto forums, peeps r excited for their tl/accords