headers

[knightfox]

are the $100 dc-s headers on ebay just as good as the expensive ones? why, why not?

[pimprolla112]

Well first off the dc header on ebay is that same as the dc header from the company its just they buy them in bulk so they can sell them cheaper. You wont notice any power gains, might sound better maybe a little bit better acceleration, but thats about it unless you get a race header there usually just for show.

TPR did a article on the b16a before someone says something i know its not the same motor in fact completely different. But anyways the dc headers made little to no gain in power made the power band longer but nothing that was like they describe from there adds.

[Igovert500]

I agree with pimprolla. You really aren't going to notice exceptional gains. Perhaps a few hp, but nothing major except an increase in sound. If you still want them, go for it, $100 isn't much. Just realize that sometimes the stuff on ebay is sold as "dc-style" header (or whatever other company/part) it isn't the real thing, it is some guy's attempt at recreating it. These parts can sometimes have fitment issues that may make installation a bit more tricky.

[pimprolla112]

Yes i forgot about those guys who sell stuff as another companies "style" product. Like Igovert said they can have fitment issues, or be made from cheap materials and can rust, break easy, or just plain look bad after a few weeks of some time in the open weather they can change colors, chrome can come off in chips or sections. look at the auction closely and make sure it is what it says.

[knightfox]

what im really trying to do is go from stock 150 hp to about 200 hp without sacrificing to much of my fuel milage. and without spending to much money.

[pimprolla112]

What motor, year car, vtec/non-vtec. Remember one thing you can out every blt on made for that motor and unless its tuned your not getting optimum performance, gas mileage etc. Without proper tuning your car might be quicker but just bolting stuff on wont do enough since you would let the motor breathe better it can now rev a little higher and the power band is longer, adjust the timing a bit while on a dyno get someone who knows what there doing. You can adjust ignition timing, fuel maps and a/f ratios to get optimum performance. simple bolt ons can do it doing it for cheap wont be that easy. You get what you pay for.

[knightfox]

what i have is a 97 accord ex i-4 vtec. what i was thinking of doing was adding the headers, cai, cat-back, and new under drive pullys. but i want to get out of this for about $700, $900 at the most really. cause im planning on selling the car here with in the next 2.5 - 3 years and buying a 300zx tt. The only problem with doing that now is i have a wreck on my record and my insurence has skyrocketed. so i have to wait for that to go off at 3 years. but im not sure what i need to do, or who i need to talk to about getting it from 150 hp to 200 hp or so. its also an automatic so that doesnt help out at all. thanx all the help is appreated

[Igovert500]

You're not gonna get anything close to that with those mods. Realize 2 things.
1) You are looking for a 33% increase in hp. You aren't going to do it with simple bolt-ons unless you throw a TON of them on.
2) Don't be fooled by part manufacturers hp claims, and realize that they don't add up cumulatively. intake, catback, header, hi-flow cat, and underdrive pulleys may...MAY net you 20hp total...and that is being generous.

If you want 50 more hp, you're best bet is going to be forced induction. And a custom turbo job is going to cost you more than a grand. So if you are dead set on getting 50 more hp, research a wet-nitrous system. After a tune-up and the proper safety procautions you could shoot a 50 shot easily and safely. However, research is key. Idiots who don't research, are the same ones who are kind enough to make so much funny footage of exploding intake manifolds or shattered pistons on dyno day.

No offense, but this isn't the greatest place to start for a performance car. Don't get me wrong, I love the Accord, and some people do remarkable things with them. But for $900 chances are you aren't going to get 50 more hp unless you do your shopping well, and do the work yourself. Simple bolt-ons probably wont get you there. I'm not saying don't do them. I had a 90 accord, I did them. And it was a great place to learn, etc. But just don't expect huge gains from them either. I threw $600 or so into the car with intake and exhaust mods and didn't get any significant gains in the 1/4.

[5thGenAccord]

Originally Posted by knightfox

are the $100 dc-s headers on ebay just as good as the expensive ones? why, why not?

never get anything for your car from ebay. if you want some serious headers, look into smsp or maybe some rmf. a little pricey but well worth it from other peoples opinion.

[pimprolla112]

Just cause the parts are on ebay doesnt make them worthless. In some cses people mislabel things to get a better response out of there buyers. But generally its exactly what you would get from the actual manufacturer. Thats like saying dont go to walmart to buy your oil its not the sme stuff you would get from autozone, you can get some great deals on ebay if you do your research and know what your looking for.

The only way i can even think he could make 50hp without resorting to putting his car on a bottle or boosting would be to do some light internal work, (can get expensive). A set of higher compression pistons, possibly stroking the motor. Look into cams, porting the head, manifold. And then some bolt on work ie, intake, high performance header (just cause it says high perfromance doesnt mean it is), header back exhaust (not legal in every state), possibly a fuel system upgrade to tune for more power, usually the leaner you go the more power you create however to much air and not enough fuel, you will cause detonation, severe engine damage and well you would be out quite a bit of cash. Only let a proffesional tuner using a dyno, and a computer programer.

Like igovert said bossting it or using some laughing gas will get you the 50 with no problem just make sure you dont go to crazy with it.

[top end ms]

DC-S headers are NOT DC Sports. They are cheap replica! They are NOT as good. but if thats all you can afford .. thats all you can afford. Otherwise look into real DC Sports headers.

[MT-2500]

Chose the with care or you might wind up like this person.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...50#post3647950
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...42#post3821342
MT

[pimprolla112]

DC-s dc sports style header, yeah i think everyone knows that by now. There are alternatives look at the OBX headers, tsudo, there are a few other companiesthat make decent headers headers for a decent price. Unless you get an all out race header or have one designed for optimum output at certain rpm ranges, anything else wont give you much anywhere maybe a higher or longer power or torque range. Most companies make headers to make max power, higher max power only hits once and not very long usually near the top of your power curve so unless you have multiple bolt ons you will not see muh difference. In this case brand really doesnt matter.

We made a header for my friends b16a instead of the usually out and down we made them out of long radiused tube gave the car a nice torque band and sounded cool as fuck, with a little tuning, and some other work it sounded like a formula one car.

[Igovert500]

I've had friends that went through hell with OBX stuff on other cars.

[pimprolla112]

Really, hmm i know they use to have some problems but i thought they got better at it. I talked to the reps at PRI they make some nice stuff then again anything at an auto show is polished till you cant see past it and they wont bring what the general public usually gets. I was messing with there BOV for like an hour got some free hats to.