I want to get headers for my car, and am aware of two companies that make them for the TL, DC and Comptech. I've done a bit of research on my own to find out that the Comptech is stainless steel and has higher quality welding on it, compared with the DC which is ceramic-coated. I haven't seen much to say which would be a better buy in the long run, and both promise to increase the HP by 20-30. Another big difference is that the DC header about 1/3 the cost of the Comptech.

What are your thoughts or advice? How would you compare the two? Would people recommend other brands? Why?

Right now I'm leaning towards the DC headers primarily for the issue of cost, and the fact that if the quality is similar in the long run, I'm not going to be overly bothered if it's not super shiny, since I won't be looking at it much. Would you agree? Why or why not?

Thanks.

 

i have the megans and got 20hp gains for about $180 shipped (don't remember the exact price).

this has been rehashed many times so i'll give you the short version:

Comptech:
Pros:

• Exact Fitment
• Quality Welding
• Proven to deliver at least 20hp every time.

Cons:

• Costs $1200 (big con)

DC/Megan/etc.:
Pros:

• will deliver nearly the same gains for less than 1/3 of the price of comptechs.
• These companies are generally aware of the issues and some have tried issuing redesigns to fix them.
• to get your headers re-welded is STILL cheaper than buying Comptechs

Cons:

• It can be a gamble on quality of the welds
• Fitment can be an issue sometimes, causing longer (more expensive) installs unless you DIY.
• Sometimes you can end up with resonance.

If you want my , if you're short on cash or apprehensive about parting with $1200 then get megans or DCs. you'll get about the same gains for less money. resonance can be fixed with $30 header wrap and welds can be repaired (although i don't know anyone with megans that has weld issues, and this includes myself). personally i recommend megans since we now have a true fix for the exhaust resonance.

if you have the cash and don't care about spending it then get the comptechs and have the peace of mind that you won't have to give them a second thought ever.

SSTS

 

The DC's are too new to get a good comparison, but i would pick them over the comptech just due to price. 1200 for comptechs is a ripoff

 

There's quality then there's a ripoff.

So far I am very happy with my DC Sports. 0 fitment issues unless the front headers are put in the rear. THe only complaint I have is the install instructions are not that great.

 

SSTS, that 20hp gain was having a CAI also.
headers alone will not net 20-30hp gains. be wary of such claims by these companies.

from all the dynos i have seen, the usual gains are anywhere from 5-10hp and that is after 5k in the rpm band. below that the gains are same as stock.

to really utilize the full potential of headers u really need a intake and exhaust. they compliment each other.

Comptech parts have always been over priced but their market strategy is quality. you get what u pay for in terms of quality but the performance is not there.

this is just my opinion.

 

You guys are soooo misguided.

Comptech was the first to come out with headers for the J32 so they were the ones that spent the $$$ for design and testing. This is not cheap. Not sure if DC headers are CARB certified, but the Comptechs are and that costs $$$ too.

All the other manufacturers just copied the design AND they all, except hopefully DC fucked it up. How hard is it to copy someone else's design?

Get your facts straight.

 

It's not that hard to copy someone else's design, but there are infringement laws against that and the consequences for infringement are high.

 

dude, they've clearly recup'ed their R&D costs. there's no need to charge $1200 headers. the fact that they dropped the price by a couple of hundred is good (from the previous $1500 price tag if you all remember back several months), but us saying something is expensive doesn't make us misguided. i believe your making undue assumptions about us. what facts didn't we have straight in the first place? nothing was mis-represented.

stick - i realize that was with a CAI, it's good you pointed that out, but honestly anyone who installs headers without a CAI anyway is either not doing their research or just holding out because of cashflow.

and don't get me wrong here, i'm not disagreeing with anyone that comptech makes quality, guaranteed parts. i'm just saying not everyone feels they should have to pay through the nose for them. especially when we can get similiar gains for cheaper.

SSTS

 

What about resonance on the DC's? Present?

 

A little so far. It's very minimal, but enough to annoy me. It happens between 1300-1900 rmps. Not even close to what people have described with the megan header issues. I've only had them on for a few weeks and haven't had a chance to really troubleshoot them. There are many people who have installed the DCs with no issues so I'm sure mine will be a quick fix.

 

i ordered mine... shipping in maybe a week-week and a half? so i hope it goes smooth and no problems!