Bobster

I installed my XS headers on my J32A2 motor before i dropped it in my AV6 about 2 months ago. At first the resonance wasent very noticeable. But soon it was too much to take for me since im older and less tolerant. I was contiplating removing the headers. I helped a kid do some work on his car and he left me a large roll of 2" header wrap. Ive seen from others that this has helped some peeps. I used about a 5' piece and wrapped from rear to front around the flex pipe securing it with 2, 3 1/2" hose clamps. Changed oil while i was there. I drove it this morning to the park for my walk/run. I finally realized that i didnt hear any annoying noise. .... I was amazed! So i started trying to make it resonate. It would always do it at light loads @ 2500 rpms. I couldnt hear any resonance. I dont know how long this will last but i do have a large roll if needed.

black label

I wrapped mine from top to bottom and have no noise complaints at all. My Weapon R intake on the other hand resonates quite a bit.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

will someone PLEASE show me where XS headers are on ebay..?? I have searched and searched but i guess im a dumbass? help me out guys, i need the headers for a CLS 5spd autotragic

turbo_911

that's where i bought mine....

http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1494

they are the last ones....

Dirty Type-S

i love mine.... LLOVVEE.. i dont mind the "resonance" or "hissing"

if u go WOT then shift at redline sometimes sounds like a BOV hahahahahahah..... then i remember im not FI and i get sad.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

88 bucks? ....thats insane!

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

yes it is, i might order another set and replace the flexpipe and bring it to an exhaust shop to see if there's anything else that can be done before installation to lessen/eliminate resonance and leaks.

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

so you're telling me to buy two sets of headers? what exactly is "resonance"

2CLean

Only $97 shipped here: http://xs-power.com/honda/honda027.html
Same company/headers.

turbo_911

no he was talking to himself, he might order another set, why do you need two sets? i thought u have only one car, lol :p

thesanityannex

Just caved in and ordered some. Been looking for some decently priced comptech's but I'm a broke ass college student. From what I've read, all I need to replace are the gaskets/bolts correct?

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

well i dont want to take off my current xs power headers, put on the stock ones while i get it done on the old set of xs headers.. its so cheap htat i'd buy another set, get a few modifications to it while the old one is one.. uninstall the old one, reinstall the new one.. sell the old one on the BM for hella cheap.


resonance is a change in sound.. more like an annoying "WONK" at certain RPMs. i get them twince in one gear. at 1900 rpm and 2800 rpm. the sound is unnoticible when you're quickly increasing on rpm. but very noticible if you're slowing increasing in rpm.

ML03CLS

lol.. that was/is my plan. I actually ordered an extra set 1-2 months ago and have yet to open the box (too busy!).

davepaul033

iTrader: (1)

being the headers are so cheap i definitely recommend getting them jett hot coated.

thesanityannex

What will that run?

davepaul033

iTrader: (1)

230

MADMAN187

Do they sell the paint seperately?

davepaul033

iTrader: (1)

check out the site, http://www.jet-hot.com/

LiquidCLs6

did anyone else notice a very small hole in the weld job where the rear headers go from 3-1 ? it was near the middle one, from the inside it just looked like a shitty weld job, the front headers had the same bad weld job in the same place but without the hole.

03sixer

Just installed mine this morning. Took my brother and I about 2 1/2 hours to do it with jack stands. Toughest part was breaking the nuts loose on the cat. Definately use some penetrating fluid and having a torch and air impact set is a big plus.

It does feel like it pulls more at lower RPMs, and I do hear the hissing sound but it's definately not a leaking sound. It's something I can get used to. Won't bother me like it does some people on this board. I like that it's not overly loud, but a little bit throatier. All in all, a relatively easy upgrade and super cheap.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

do you get resonance? hissing sound has been reported to be leaks from the flex pipe...

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

if u have an auto, i'd rather get the dc headers... 230+90 = 320.... then you should fix the flex pipe, and heat wrap it.. all that trouble will go over $400... =[ or just get used ct for 600-700...

thevikas87

iTrader: (2)

this is my dilemma...should i just get some used CT headers and take a risk with them? or should i save 200 bucks or so and buy a set of new cheap headers

Bobster

hmmm... $100 for the XS plus heat wrap for the flex pipe..or $200 - $1200..........u make the call!!!

2CLean

If you're that torn about getting cheap headers, spend the $1200 on some Comptechs. Me, I'm happy with my $100 headers. I can think of other things to spend $1100 on. Oh yeah, I've had DC sports in my old CRX, Civic, and Teg and they all resonate. It's the nature of the beast...God bless Comptech for somehow making a header with zero resonance...that's an exception to the rule, not the norm.

03sixer

yeah, I do get the hissing sound when I'm hard on the gas. doesn't really sound like a leak though. Thought about putting it up on a lift and hitting the gas and listening for actual leaking. I have also read about the header wrap that people have used and have thought about that as well. Right now it doesn't even bother me that much. With the windows up I can't hear it at all. With them down, I only hear it when hard on the gas. We'll see.

LIPPSTUH

iTrader: (2)

i don't care too much about the hissing, its the resonance that really gets me. it gets embarassing sometimes b/c i feel like i drive a civic when that sound happens. its a wonk btw (resonance).

if u can find a good deal on used ct headers go for it, but if u're an auto, i say go with dc... someone just bought the new design a few months ago and had good reviews.

MADMAN187

If DC's dont have resonance, Id definately go with that instead. I mean it is an AEM product it should be great with the new design. Then again XS with header wrap should do the job

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

They are not an AEM product. AEM is just the reseller. DC sports is the maker.

03sixer

I'm not hearing the same "resonance" that you guys are hearing. I do hear the hiss when my windows are down, but no "wonk" or resonance.

LiquidCLs6

mine sounded great when i first got them on... now they kinda sound like crap when my cars cold. ohh well, there still worth it IMO. I'm going back under the car this weekend to tighten the bolts, hopefully that helps with some of the unwanted noises.

Tweek

Well I installed mine yesterday. Took a bit longer then I expected because I had to go to sear and get some tools. Picked up some extensions and also a Makita Grinder Those stubborn bolts on the exhaust wouldnt come off. I had to pull the whole exhaust off the car to get to the top bolt near the cat. Anyways I after everything was done I started it and it was loud as hell... Forgot to tighten the bolts on the apipe on the front side. Tightened them up and BLAM! Perfection. I did wrap the flex section with some header wrap before the install and used some snap clips to hold it on.


Took it for a ride and I couldnt help but smile ear to ear. I could tell right off the bat that it had more giddy up. Im very happy with the total of 300$ I spent for the whole install. Well my girlfriend bought me the headers and I spent 150 in tools which I know ill use over and over anyways. The only other thing I bought was bolts and the header wrap. So <300$ is good with me.

It really showed later that night on the way home from the movies with my buddy. He has a WRX with a turboback exhaust. He didnt think I would pull any harded then I did before. Before Ill slowly pull a car away. After the headers it was bad. I just kept going and going. He didnt want to race again!

Ok im done rambling.

03sixer

Just got my car back from Midas. I went to car quest and bought a small package of Header wrap ($11 bucks) and asked Midas to wrap the flex pipe ($38 bucks). Noticable difference in sound. Whistling is all but gone. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! If that was the only flaw in these things, they were well worth the $100 bucks and my two and a half hours of labor to put these on. Very nice throaty sound that isn't overbearing or loud. Kudos to XS for making these knock offs.

Bobster

Yea the wrap really helped mine. Sounds like a lil monster up top while pulling hard. Sounds like a real motor, not a 4 banger fart can.

Oakroadsteve

I have that same "wonk" noise at 2500 RPM and it is maddening. I took it to a couple of exhaust shops and it is coming out of the cat converter. I would like to replace the cat with a pipe but I hear it is illegal. Perhaps the reason some cars do not have to endure the noise is their cats are different or just newer. I have an 01 auto with 60K on it. I wonder if replacing the cat converter would make a difference.

2CLean

^It's not the cat, it's mos def the flex pipe. I just replaced my OEM w/ a high flow cat and still have resonance between 2500-3000 RPM's. Other than replacing/wrapping the flex pipe, you can try adjusting the hangers and rubber mounts...it made a BIG difference for me.

Oakroadsteve

Thanks for the advice. I don't know about the flex pipe wrap. Have you tried it?

One of the shops actually put a stethoscope on the cat and I could hear it wonking away. He checked all the fittings and they were tight. What did you do to the hangers and mounts??

Good to know that the cat swap made no difference.

2K1CLtypeS

I wrapped my FP and the "wonk" went away. I used 3-31/2 inch hose clamps and header wrap. Just the other week, I noticed the wonking noise again. I inspected the FP and found that one of the clamps loosened, as well as the wrap. I Re-tightened the wrap and secured the clamp and the noise went away. It is definitely the FP.

I called Epiflex, a company that sells FPs, and spoke to a tech there named Rich. I was inquiring about their FPs and he mentioned there is a FP with an inner braid (a braided pipe within the FP itself) that are used for turbo applications. I asked that if that would work in non turbo engines and he said yes. He also mentioned that the inner braided FPs has better flow capabilities than the non inner braided ones. I am thinking about going that route. I'll keep you guys updated. I need to measure the A-pipe diameter and the length of the original FP. I'll also let you know of the cost of the FP and installation..........

GrandeInter10

Since I installed mine i've been quite happy. dont get resonance. but i do get the hissing at exactly 2500rpm-2600rpm. but it doesnt bother me in the slightest. im always bumpin music any damn way. i give em an A in every department!

RUF87

I haven't installed mine yet, but I got them ceramic chrome coated. It's the same thing as Jet Hot for those of you familar with it. When I got the headers I noted that the some of the welds were not real clean, but the ceramic coating process helped filling in some of the pits. It will also help strengthen the weld joints as well. A couple of other key benefits is that it will help reduce heat in the engine compartment and because it keeps more exhaust heat in the headers which will improve the escape velocity. The coating is about 3mil on the outside and inside where it can be applied. I'm hoping by making the pipes thicker it will reduce some of the 'whooshing and resonance' some people noted.

And personally, I like the look better. When I get them installed later this month I'll let everyone know how everything else worked out.

Ruf

Here's the before look





And here's the after look.