The Header Thread

StylEmonStylEmon Wagonist
in Engine & Drivetrain
I have a few questions about headers for the wagon.

First of all, how much louder are headers than the stock cast manifold?
What headers did you install?
What company makes the best headers, material wise and flow wise?
Did you see in increase in mileage after just the header install?

Comments

  • secretcitizensecretcitizen Wagonist
    StylEmon wrote:
    First of all, how much louder are headers than the stock cast manifold?
    Same as stock as long as the exhaust back is the same as before.
    StylEmon wrote:
    What headers did you install?
    I have used DC, RMF, JDM ITR and some ebay brand
    StylEmon wrote:
    What company makes the best headers, material wise and flow wise?
    What motor? If you want THE best set up and flow go with a custom header. B-series at the moment I feel is the REAL big tube hytech
    StylEmon wrote:
    Did you see in increase in mileage after just the header install?
    I never have simply because I never kept my foot off the throttle. There will most likely be a slight increase in MPG's but not much.
    No matter what you are looking for milage or perfomance I don't think a simple bolt on such as a header is going to do much good.
  • StylEmonStylEmon Wagonist
    Same as stock as long as the exhaust back is the same as before.
    I have a hard time believing this because cast iron is much thicker than tube steel. Not to mention, cast absorbs sound much better. Steel tends to ad a "ping" sound to the engine bay.

    I guess what I'm referring to is the engine noise... not the exhaust note.
    I have used DC, RMF, JDM ITR and some ebay brand

    What brand header held up the best? Did you like the best?
    No matter what you are looking for milage or perfomance I don't think a simple bolt on such as a header is going to do much good.

    I totally agree with ya here, but I'm just trying to drum up as much info as I can just about headers on the wagon.
    I have a D16a6, but just trying to be a little more general towards all wagons.
  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    Dc Makes some AWESOME D series headers and I have even been told that by many people. As far As loudness, yes a header will be louder than stock with a bit of a crackle on high revs. Just what i had seen with headers on my cars, and no increase in mileage for me. Just drive it nice :lol:
  • JakerJaker familEE
    And just remember that nearly all the D series headers out there will not clear the transfer case on an RT4WD.
  • udubrx7udubrx7 Senior Wagonist
    I had a DC 4-2-1 Ceramic header on my wagon before I totaled it. The header was from a 99 civic ex with the Y8, but it worked fine for me on the D15B2 and the D16A6. I like the header, especially since I got it for free. I had full stock exhaust, then installed the header, it was definitely a little louder, but not a whole lot. After getting more aftermarket exhaust pieces I could tell more a difference from the header as far as power goes. It definitely adds enough power to be measured by my ass dyno. I didn't have any problem with crackling on the overrun, but I never had anything but a stock muffler.

    I'm sure you could make more power with a custom or race header but if you get a really nice one it could cost you ~$1000. DC is a good compromise for a lot cheaper.

    I didn't see any increase in mileage because as soon as I had the header, my foot somehow got a lot heavier.
  • StylEmonStylEmon Wagonist
    I had a DC 4-2-1 Ceramic header on my wagon before I totaled it. The header was from a 99 civic ex with the Y8, but it worked fine for me on the D15B2 and the D16A6.

    hey there fellow rotor-head! I love 10th AEs!

    so did you have that header on 4wd wagon?
    And just remember that nearly all the D series headers out there will not clear the transfer case on an RT4WD.

    which ones out there will fit?
  • pLaYbOipLaYbOi Wagonist
    headers range quite dramatically for hondas. you can go anywhere from the 4-2-1 megan racing header($150ish), to DC($400ish), to Bisimoto($1000+). the first two i know ppl will account for on the butt dyno but i've seen 17 WHEEL HORSE POWER gains from headers in the bisimoto range. if this is info searching for your very own wagon, i would figure out what your end goal is for the wagon and then you can figure out which price range of a header makes most sense. cheers
  • StylEmonStylEmon Wagonist
    if this is info searching for your very own wagon, i would figure out what your end goal is for the wagon and then you can figure out which price range of a header makes most sense. cheers

    Thanks for the info on the different price ranges and brands that are out there. I would never spend 1k or even 500 for a header for this car. But I do have a friend that builds race-quality tubular manifolds, so if I was sold on a certain style that is out of my range, I could have him fab one up.

    I am really just trying to drum up some specific details on different headers that people actually have experience with. The most helpful thing you, or anyone, can do, is answer the questions in the OP. That way I'll be able to make a solid decision based on everyone's input.

    My end goal is style-ish, tasteful mods. If I can ad a little power and mileage to the mix, I'm good with that too, but I DO NOT want a loud fart can ricer. I want this car to stay nice and quiet.
  • udubrx7udubrx7 Senior Wagonist
    StylEmon wrote:

    hey there fellow rotor-head! I love 10th AEs!

    so did you have that header on 4wd wagon?

    Unfortunately I'm going to have to sell my 10AE soon, it just costs all together too much compared to my civic (price of gas/performance parts etc). I really want to keep it, but I'm in debt and it's just sitting. :cry:

    No my wagon wasn't 4wd, just fwd.
  • JakerJaker familEE
    I don't personally know of any aftermarket header that fits the 1988-1991 RT4WD chassis. That's why I phrased my post the way I did.
  • ogwagonogwagon Wagonist
    StylEmon wrote:
    I have a few questions about headers for the wagon.

    First of all, how much louder are headers than the stock cast manifold?
    What headers did you install?
    What company makes the best headers, material wise and flow wise?
    Did you see in increase in mileage after just the header install?

    Headers themselves will not make your engine bay noiser, but they do tend to add a little "raspiness" to the exhaust note. I have used/installed DC, 5zigen, Edelbrock, Airmass, OEM Type R and a few different ebay type brands. The best header I had on a daily driven D series was a stainless DC. Good/strong material and had noticeable performance gains for the money. Best header I had on a daily driven B series was the Edelbrock try-y stainless. Great ground clearance, strong material and it even picked up a few ponies over the OEM Type R! I didn't see any noticeable gains in mpg with just the header installed. With the header and a decent catback will most likely see a slight increase in mpg. The problem is that usually you get so excited with your new found ponies, that you tend to step on the gas more than you did before and there goes your mpg.
  • leWolfleWolf Senior Wagonist
    ogwagon wrote:
    StylEmon wrote:
    I have a few questions about headers for the wagon.

    First of all, how much louder are headers than the stock cast manifold?
    What headers did you install?
    What company makes the best headers, material wise and flow wise?
    Did you see in increase in mileage after just the header install?

    Headers themselves will not make your engine bay noiser, but they do tend to add a little "raspiness" to the exhaust note. I have used/installed DC, 5zigen, Edelbrock, Airmass, OEM Type R and a few different ebay type brands. The best header I had on a daily driven D series was a stainless DC. Good/strong material and had noticeable performance gains for the money. Best header I had on a daily driven B series was the Edelbrock try-y stainless. Great ground clearance, strong material and it even picked up a few ponies over the OEM Type R! I didn't see any noticeable gains in mpg with just the header installed. With the header and a decent catback will most likely see a slight increase in mpg. The problem is that usually you get so excited with your new found ponies, that you tend to step on the gas more than you did before and there goes your mpg.

    Agreed and just like i said! :lol:
  • StylEmonStylEmon Wagonist
    thanks guys, so far the DC header seems to be the obvious choice. I just wonder if there is one for the RT...
    Unfortunately I'm going to have to sell my 10AE soon, it just costs all together too much compared to my civic (price of gas/performance parts etc). I really want to keep it, but I'm in debt and it's just sitting. :cry:

    I feel your pain, you don't want to know how much I spent on my 7... Just sold it too. In a way, I'm glad it's gone. so expensive to buy parts and labor. But man, mine was the fastest car on the street. It would hang pretty well with crotch rockets!
  • pLaYbOipLaYbOi Wagonist
    well...since you have access to a welder that can weld you a header....why dont you just take the basic design of a header that tickles you fancy and have him/her custom make it to fit the RT?
  • StylEmonStylEmon Wagonist
    thats what I'm leaning towards. Just trying to get info first tho. I may not even install a header on my wagon.
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