89CivicDX - Question on header and fuel

Moe Arif · #1 10-09-2007, 10:06 AM

Folks,
I have two separate unrelated questions:

(1) What is the function of header , when installed for performance purposes? and how much should a brand new header (parts only) cost?
(2) Ever since my fuel tank was replaced, the little gas pump light does not show up, when fuel is in reserve. How do I make the light come on? I heard from someone that there is no such light in my DX model, but I do distinctly remember having it come on, upon low fuel, before I got the tank replaced.

Greenblurr93 · #2 10-09-2007, 11:27 AM

1. it makes the exhaust flow easier, there for you engine works less to "push" the gasses out. and headers can range anywhere from $50 for a crappy one to $600 for a race one. try not to scimp too much because the lower quality ones have a habbit of cracking..

2. is it possible that the previous owner swaped in a sending unit with that light capability? and then when you had it fixed they put the stocker in which didnt come with that light? in my opinion... those lights are usless anyway, i go by my tripometer because i know about how many miles i get per tank

Christ · #3 10-10-2007, 12:41 AM

yeah, trip-meter works... then again, so does the gas gauge.. normally. If it starts dropping quickly, as it usually does in our cars after about the first 1/2 tank on the gauge, time to get fuel.

I always thought that was funny... every older civic I've ever driven, get about 300 miles to the first "1/2 tank" (by the gauge) then about 50-100 on the second "1/2 tank" (again, by the gauge)...

FrodoGT · #4 10-10-2007, 01:32 AM

Yeah mine gets about 100 till the damn needle beings to move, then at 150-170 its at the center, then itll hold for awhile then make a quick fall to 1/4 or less, then slowly creeps all the way down. No matter how it goes, I get about 320 MAX.

Christ · #5 10-10-2007, 11:54 AM

eh, my LX w/ the D15B2 was getting around 40mpg, then one day, it dropped to 32-34 mpg... then one day, on a long trip, and two tanks thereafter, I got a stunning 59 MPG!!!... couldn't ever get that back... and soon after, the engine blew... rod through the block... if only I had changed the damn oil pan gasket, I'd have noticed the rod cap nuts were loose...

I guess the engine always does run better right before it blows.

Greenblurr93 · #6 10-10-2007, 11:59 AM

Yep, thats what they say, you motor will run best right before it gives you the finger

Christ · #7 10-10-2007, 12:08 PM

Come to think about it, the same thing happened to my dad before his Merc. Lynx died... was funny tho... instead of rebuilding the engine for him, (he can do it himself, just didn't want to.) I grabbed a 1.9HO from a Escort GT and put a small turbo on it.. of course, being an older mechanic, he has no idea about FI or boost.. so watching his face when he floored it and the tires started spinning at the end of first gear, and part way into second was just priceless... unfortunately, he made me re-tune it and turn the boost down...

That was my first experience w/ a turbo, back when I was 14.. I'm 22 now.. and not much more experienced.

But, I'm working on it.

Moe Arif · #8 10-12-2007, 08:30 AM

Thanks Folks. Back to my original #2 question :
(2) Ever since my fuel tank was replaced, the little gas pump light does not show up, when fuel is in reserve. How do I make the light come on? I heard from someone that there is no such light in my DX model, but I do distinctly remember having it come on, upon low fuel, before I got the tank replaced.

To re-iterate, IS THERE A GAS PUMP ICON THAT LIGHTS UP ON THE MODEL, when in fuel reserve?

Greenblurr93 · #9 10-12-2007, 08:33 AM

ok, have you pulled the cluster to check if the bulb is burnt out?

Moe Arif · #10 10-12-2007, 08:37 AM

Thanks GB93. My question is more if the feature is there or not? Have a bet with a friend of mine who says the 89CivicDX model does not have this feature at all, and I am saying it does, cuz it did light up until I replaced the fuel tank.
Hence the question.

Greenblurr93 · #11 10-12-2007, 09:41 AM

Well, unless you were on LSD or something, and you say you saw it. theres gotta be a way to fix it

FrodoGT · #12 10-12-2007, 09:54 AM

There isnt any other system in the car that could turn that light on, so if it did it once, then it was there. I also dont think you would know anything about the light if you didnt have it to begin with unless your friend put the idea in your head.

Moe Arif · #13 10-12-2007, 09:55 AM

Anyone knows the answer, pls let me know :
IS THERE (feature) A GAS PUMP ICON THAT LIGHTS UP ON THE 89CivicDX MODEL dash board, when in fuel reserve?

I have several cars, and I cant remember on which car I have seen the fuel reserve light go ON.

Christ · #14 10-13-2007, 03:00 AM

I think LX's have it, actually... when you're like, on the last 1/4 gallon or so... so maybe the DX had it too, though I've never personally seen it on a DX. Maybe your particular car had a cluster and fuel pump swap? Longshot, but hey.

mr_civic91 · #15 03-19-2008, 03:53 PM

I have had 2 civic DXs one was an 88 the other my 91 V8 killer, and both had the low fuel light. my 88 continued to light up till I sold it, but when I changed my 91 out to a d16a6 I put in a walbro pump and it didnt light up any more, its a bitch when you run out of fuel on your way to the track.

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