So my tls engine is completely stock. Im looking into headers as they seem to be the most bang for buck modification for the tl. However, i dont know which brand to go with. Im willing to sacrifice performance for quality. Im leaning toward xs or obx, any suggestions? I hear these give about 30 horsepower, is this true? If im am to buy used ones what should i look out for. And are they something i can install myself? Anything will help.

 

xs seem to be the most popular on AZ.. i just ordered a set two days ago and am still waiting on them

 

you can install yourself.
it was pretty straight forward and easy for me.

XS-power is cheap but still does the job. however, its either you get a good one or you don't.

 

like mentioned above, install is pretty simple assuming you have all the basic tools. the hardest part is removing all the rusted/seized bolts. Between the xs and omni's, i'd opt for the xs since more people have had success with those. As far as hp gains, i dono about 30 but you'll gain a good amount. and when buying used, just keep at eye out on the welds and if there are any cracks.

 

only if you're weak and frail...


hahah. jk man.. jk...

 

What do you mean you either get a good one or you dont, arent they all the same?

 

some people got really crappy ones.. flex pipe is bad... fitment is bad... manifold isn't good... welds aren't stronge... etc etc...

i got a really good one. fitment was perfect..

they aren't the same.. (XS-Power only... )

 

Well then you shouldnt be looking at any header other than Comptech. Of the 2 you listed i would go XS

 

dc sprots are also good, ceramic coated, but cost around $450ish.

 

so buying xs headers is a gamble.

 

a gamble worth taking is what the general consensus is here. they're only 130, if even, so if they only last you a year, then just replace them. still cheaper than comptech.

 

so its not a lasting modification, they would break after a while of use or what????

 

from what ive read xs headers could have fitment or resonance issues, if you want ultimate quality drop $1000 for the comptech headers. xs are clones of the comptechs for only $100 and they do the same job

if the first one you get is really jacked up then u can get a second one and still save $800, that risk/reward is good enough for me

 

With quality comes performance
With CT, you get a bit more hp and better quality, but you get a hole in your pocket.

I'd say meet in the middle and get some DCs

 

do u have proof of that? i thought they were the same design just that xs uses cheaper materials. the exhaust flow should be the same, no?

 

mines holding up pretty well..


its been a year with HARD driving and its still in good shape. loving the Gold with blue burnss.

 

I bought the XS about 3 years ago and IMO they are junk. the ones I replaced them with are the Alphawerks, they're not the cheapest but they fit great, sound great, and are built as good as the Comptech and alot better than the XS having owned both XS and Alphawerks. You can find the Alphawerks here...

http://www.sportcompactonly.com/Acur...c-59_vt-45.htm

 

Read it on a post a while back. And honestly, a couple hp doesn't really matter anyways. Just saying that if he wants quality, xs isn't really the way to go. I bought comptechs for a few simple reasons.

1) they won't break as easily (if my headers do happen to crack... i'd have to remove the supercharger and that's just too much hassle)

2) carb sticker, just don't want hassles if someone trys to be a jerkoff

3) resonance, some have it, some dont... i dont like to gamble.

4) fitment issues, theres hardly enough space to move the headers in, much less have to adjust it.

many like xs, its a good cheap alternative... but you pay for what you get. i pretty much realized that a tl isn't really a fast car after i put everything in and now im too poor to get another car.

 

I just got my xs headers put on my car two days ago and would HIGHLY recommend them. There is seriously a not and day difference in performance and they sound amazing....not loud, but have a deep growl to them

I got my headers for $120 shipped from ssautochrome.com and they arrived two days after my order was placed!

However if you do buy the headers be sure to get oem exhaust manifold gaskets that will run you barely under $40. If you need the part number just pm me.

You will also need to replace the screws that come with the headers. Get 6 grade 8 10mmx40mm bolts, 12 spit lock 10mm washers, and 6 10mm nuts.

Overall I paid,
$120 for headers
$ 10 for bolts/nuts/washers at lowes
$ 34 for gaskets but got a discount from acura dealer
$170 installation

$334 for everything and it was definately money well spent. YOU WILL FEEL THE DIFFERENCE

 

I don't know about anybody else but I bought a pair of Megan Racing headers and didn't have any installation problems and noticed a big difference in performance and sound (certainly at around 5000 rpm. I teamed them up with Tanabe SMH Stainless Steel CB Exhaust, which fit perfectly to all stock hangers and rear bumper. They both are CARB approved so inspection was no hassle. The only thing I made sure of when I had them install the headers was to put Permatex high heat gasket material on all the gaskets. Nothing has loosened up or leaked since installing.

 

Do these headers discolor after a while? If so do they come ceramic coated?

 

stainless steel will discolor. ceramic coated wont, you could sent them out to get them ceramic coat or you could buy yourself some dc sports (i have them, bout them used and now they have about 22k on them and no discoloration problem) or you could get the comptechs.

 

 

How about the DC's, are they any good? how much could i pick a pair of used ones for?

 

IMO, I would jsut go cheap an get XS Headers(what I did) or go expensive and get comptechs

 

Unless they are comptech i wouldnt waste my money on used headers. You can get the XS for 88 bucks NEW. One memeber had DCs and yanked them off after a year cause they resonated and cracked. He bought the XS headers and had them ceramic coated. No resonation or fitment issues.