Cat-Back? Headers? Both?

Hey, I am looking into gettnig something new as far as exhaust. I am kinda limited on funds, so I cant get anything REALLY expensive. My car is all atock now except for the APC Intake with K&N High Flow Filter. I was looking at getting a Cat-Back Exhaust or new Headers. My exhaust (from the cat back) right now is kinda crappy. Should I get new Headers first or a new Cat Back system first, Or should I just wait it out and get both things at once? Looking around I have noticed that Pace Setter is some cheaper stuff, and I take it that it means that it is not any good. I was looking at the Airmass Warlock or something comperable. Is this any good? If I was to get just a Cat Back for now (and having a 90 Accord, 2.2L) What do you think my HP could be after? Gas Milage? (25 mpg now)

Thanks for your help!
I dont want to mess up and buy the wrong thing!

I would say go ahead and get the exhaust. Both headers and exhaust should give you nearly identical gains, but the exhaust will also produce that nice clean sound for you. So I say get that first. Doesn't really matter about getting them both at once. Also, Pacesetter is not bad at all! I had Pacesetter headers on my last car for a while, and they were great! On my car, showed a dyno gain of 18 rwhp, which is slightly above-average for shorty headers on an Lt1(95 Camaro Z28). They fit perfectly, lined up cleanly, sounded GREAT, and stayed sealed up nice and tight as long as I had them. For the money, there isn't a better set of headers out there!

As long as you are installing the exhaust and header yourself, I don't think there is any need to get both at the same time. But if you are going to have a professional install, it might be cheaper if you had them install it at the same time. Anyways, installing exhaust or header isn't really that hard.:D

i think you should go with a catback exhaust first so you can have that nice race car tone and gain any were from 5 - 10 hp and looks much better then the ugly stock exhaust and then get the header and put it on your self its not very hard

anyone know a good website with detailed instructions on installing the headers/cat back?

Originally posted by solomon
anyone know a good website with detailed instructions on installing the headers/cat back?

Most of the installation is pretty straight forward if your somewhat mechnically inclined. should be a straight bolt on deal. the only thing you may want to worry about are rusted bolts that may not come off easily with hand tools or may not come off even with airtools. thats where a torch comes in. hope this helps.

i can vouch for that, i put both my headers and my cat back on lying in a friends driveway with a jack on either side of the car. exhaust was easier only because there were fewer bolts to deal with, and it was more rewarding to be able to see and hear it... go for the catback.

get the headers. you may only get 3 hp, but REAL motor guys would like the motor work better than some bolt-on muffler & new pipes. especially since you have a cat-back already, you won't notice anything until you add the exhaust headers.