I have been set on using DC headers but I now have an opportunity to do a 6speed conversion will a wrecked cls6, correct me if I'm wrong but the DC's will not fit. I could bend the one runner or grind on the eng. mount, but I'm not thrilled about either. The only other header that I have found so fare is the XS. I want a good quality header that makes power and of good quality. I'm reaching out here to any of you guys running the XS, and to see if there is any other or better option?

 

XS are good for the price, usually 100-120 everytime I see one pop up for sale. there's not really much options for the 6 speeds though. I mean there's always comptechs for the 6speeds but those are $$$$ and rare to come by nowadays, but those will give you the most power.

 

There was a set of Comptech A/T headers that popped up on the Black Market for around $900 that's why more then I would like to spend. I can get XS for $240 new seemed a little cheap, but if they are quality then it probable the way to go. How long have you been running your XS? Thanks

 

yea they were asking a lot for that set. I've seen a comptech 6MT set on here before and it was like 650 or something but sold awhile back. I've been running XS for 2 years now. the price is good for the product also because there aren't many headers available for the 6 speeds to choose from in the first place lol

 

Thanks Mugenspire have you every had it on a dyno, curious if the XS made similar numbers to Comptech, DC,.......

 

Finding the original XS header with the SINGLE flex joint is hard to do, and i wouldnt buy the XS with the 2 flex joints. Get the DC and Just grind the necessary material off of the manual mount. There is more than enough material and the mount will be just fine.

Oh and you cant just bend the pipe. You would have to have the pipe cut out and a new one made with the necessary kink.

 

They were an exact replica of the comptech. Mine were very noticeable gains

 

Thanks fsttyms1 did not know that XS had different designs. I was looking at this one:

http://xs-power.com/acura-honda-nonturbo-headers-2.htm

Just for clarification the single joint XS was a copy of the Comptech?
I'm curious to know your thoughts on the XS in the link above. If it's the Comptech copy, then that would seem like the way to go regardless of a 6speed swap. If not then a DC and some grinding it will be.

You are right about kinking the pipe if you tried to beet on it, but I can fill that entire runner with sand to be my mandrill then with a bit of heat and persuasion put a nice little bend in the runner without deforming the tube. But DC's are ceramic-coated and that would be ruined and if they is a manufactured header that will do the job why go threw that work.

 

xs is crap but your only option less than 1000 unless you buy them and modify for more power

 

Cleptosis what about them is crap, the material, workmanship or the design? Curious as to what modifications you are talking about?


In the past in have had to weld and grind on a few headers and exhaust components so there would flow correctly or to make them fit, some of which where from reputable manufactures. XS web site lists that they use 2mm thick pipping which seems kinda thin to me. From the pictures that I have seen they do appear to be very similar to the Comptech design, and the XS seems to have pretty symmetrical and equal length runners. If the joint construction was poor then you could have flow issues.

I do appreciate the input I would just like to have a little clarity about your definition of crap and what are the $1000 option?

 

The one in your link is the single flex design.

And you would have a near impossible time bending the pipe enough with the pipe welded to the 2 flanges and themselves without bending them out of shape where the J pipe wouldnt be able to mate up properly. Also the material is too thin to really do that.

 

They are cheaply made and not out of the best material. Comptech are far superior. Some have had them had welds and joints crack, others like myself havent had a single issue. I have had mine on for over 200k miles and the only thing i have had to fix was a worn out flex joint.

 

Thanks for the input so the single joint XS will work with no mods or the DC with slight grinding of the mount. Is one better then the other? The XS does seem a little cheap but is a copy of the best from whats been stated. I have heard good things about the DC and they are ceramicoated.

 

^^ The ceramic coating will flake off tough.. Its not the BEST Ceramic coating its just a dip over...

Have them, Love them, But they are starting to flake and dont look pretty.. In that case the XS/CT header will look a trillion times better, any day.. Specially when hot.

 

Good point, and the ceramicoat can cause the metal to brake down faster but everything is a trade off. Not really getting them to look pretty more interested in the performance but don't want to split hairs either. The XS is about $150 cheaper shipped as well.

 

Over all The DC is better quality than the XS, but both are going to give you great gains and be far cheaper than the Comptech.

Im going to be making my own this winter. Im going long tube similar to these

 

^^ That looks for a Civic swap right?
Always wondered what the long tubes are for? Does it change the power curve?

 

My DC headers are the original first batch headers - yep, the HHC5522 ones with the 2-bolt flanges. The ceramic coating on them still looks pretty good, almost 7 years and 70k miles after install. No leaks either.

The mild steel on my headers is doing just fine, 7 years after install with no signs of cracks, wear, etc. I think I got a pretty good return on my $350.

 

Like everything perhaps they ditch the GOOD Ceramic Coating on the new set for the 3 Bolt design "bonknhead".

Got pretty close to more than 3 years and the Flanges are already flaked to bare metal.

 

Good to know thanks! Long tubes would be awesome and with the 6 speed you could easily compensate for any shift of the power band up the rev rang. Not sure how they would line up but you could take the RV6 Performance V3 LONG TUBE J-PIPE 04-08 TL and just make the upper 3 into 1 sections, if the path for the exhaust is the same.

 

Should make great power.

There would be no point in the V3 long tube. They are a single pipe from the Mani down. I would have to redo everything and it would be easier and FAR cheaper to just start from scratch.

 

Yep, from a Civic J swap. Changes the power curve. Depending on how they are built and dia pipe, you usually see a increase in the upper rpm band.

 

fattyms1 I was looking at it from the point that you would already have an equal length lower section that has been tune for the pulse wave of the exhaust and you would only be building two 3 in 1 manifold replacements replacements. We both know there is many ways to accomplish the same goal, it will be cool to see what you come up with.

 

I hate how comptech is discontinued -.- should've sold them for like $600 and people would buy them

 

I still dont think there still would be much reason to use it. There isnt enough room to make a good long tube, and by time you did the work to make the upper section and buy the lower section you would have more than double the money into it than just making your own. And the lower section isnt what needs to be equal length. Its the 3 cyl that join together (ie. front 3 or rear 3). As long as the 3 tubes are the same length when they merge into 1, they dont need to be the same as the other 3. Plus i dont like the Tight radius bend that the V3 and all the others have.

 

That would have made more since, but I guess there is a cost for a reputation like they have.

 

You have some good points and hell I'm not close to the point that I need to fab up headers for my TL. But from what I have seen you do so far of your work, I look forward to seeing what you come up with if you do build a header. Thanks again for the help.

 

Should be some time this winter that they get made

 

I did find a thread over on the cl side about the xs headers, with lots of pics from about a year ago. The XS did not look that bad, inside seemed a little rough but not beyond a little welding and grinding to get them smoothed out. Any one looking for headers should check it out, also their is a guy that said he is going to order a set in a couple days so we may have an idea of there current production quality. This all seems acceptable at the $260 price point.

Note: I'm talking about the single flex joint header.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=843532&page=3

Hear is the link to the thread I mentioned.

 

Maybe reweld them for piece of mind?? Just lay a pass right over the original ones.