Blue Lude

Hi, I'm looking to change my header, as I live on an island, they are not readily available, so I thought that I will get one made. They say that an RMF is the best for a 2.2VTEC manual.
Do you think that is a good idea and where can I get the specs of an RMF header?

98vtec

the REAL RMF is no longer in production as Randy passed away a few years back.

Whitfield Racing has the RMF jigs and sells his drag version under the "FMR" name

the specs are propriety for the most part and will vary based upon mods.

Blue Lude

If I take some photo's of an RMF, do you think that someone who manufactures exhausts, will be able to build one and know what size to use?

BTW, Sorry for late response.

98vtec

Most people who build headers have their own designs they use. Randy made parts that made great power but he isn't the only one. We have a lot of options nowadays.

This is one I am building for a JRSC customer

Blue Lude

That looks awesome, I want one for a NA engine, PM me an estimate and shipping to Cyprus!!

Tyler Dirden

iTrader: (3)

Ever heard of eBay?
Seriously these headers are as common as salt. Everyone has a clone available for less than 600 bucks. Some are as affordable as 350 bucks.
Exhaust isn't mad science and is totally interpretative as to which is best for a given combination. Equating a 5-10 hp gain at 9000rpm by comparison in a daily driven car is moot. You could almost never notice this with the trade offs in mid range performance you can expect and paying over a grand for these "signature made hybrids" are just a waste of build money. My .02

Very nice craft though. I do very much appreciate good craft and fabrication skills. That has it's own rewards for sure.

Blue Lude

Yes, I have heard of ebay, but,in all honesty, I would think twice about buying anything from there, as you don't know the quality of the product is.
Buy cheap, buy twice, is an old proverb, which still stands true in this century.

Check this out. https://www.facebook.com/CMWorx

Tyler Dirden

iTrader: (3)

ALL of the headers currently being advertised as clones on eBay are being sold right here on HT by numerous retailers. They are very well made with an exceptional warranty too. Just look at the thread board and see the dozens of specials and retailers here selling them. Even the RMF megaphone clone. I am buying this one for my B series with my tax return for 350 bucks. Can't beat that with a stick!

Blue Lude

Okay, I will check it out. Thanks!!

98vtec

Don't be so foolish in believing that exhaust design is cookie cutter. There is a multitude of calculation that goes into the design of a header. How dare you belittle the thought that goes into these pieces. What have you done to be able to say such things?

Also, some people would rather spend money on parts that use high quality materials using proper technique by a professional who is skilled in the art who use their skills in the light of their creator.

Those headers which are replicated are cheap for a reason. They use sub par materials with sub par technique by cheap laborers. Is that what you want to support?

There is going to be a day that the American dollar isn't the world dollar and our lives as we live it will crumble and everyone who depends on overseas imports will no longer be able to afford it and we, "America", being so prideful will have to turn to manufactoring materials here which we won't be able to afford because out money will be worth squat!

Have a nice day and I really hope you believe in God. This country needs him now more than ever.

Taking the easy way out and replicating someone else's skills and collecting from the fruits of their labor and hard work is not exactly living for God. That's the devil and the sooner you realize that, as soon as the government and members of this nation understand and acknowledge that, we will finally work towards a better life.

Tyler Dirden

iTrader: (3)

WOW! what a rant.

Can you be more offended. This is hardly scripture and more a vein expression of ones self. Hardly are reason to attack ones spirituality. I am not offended though, but I do understand the entire argument you have made.
I agree with much of it. The materials are as close to what the high dollar headers use as can be. Correct gauge, type of ss, welding technique. It is hard to justify the American ideal here when America has created the manufacturing renaissance overseas. Possibly claiming that the header is an American staple and only can justly be authentic and preform well if made here is not correct.
If you and your craft are at risk of being outsourced, join the club. I am a fabricator and experienced welder as well and know well.

I also agree that this country needs God more than ever, but hardly to protect out interests in manufacturing superiority and profitability.


What I more or less was affirming is this:
For the run of the mill, unspecific build (street/strip) variety, a "replica header is a fantastic and realistic option for all but a few.
Yes, I agree that a proven design was replicated. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It is also the most cost effective in most circumstances. I have read some threads here about these 1000 dollar headers like the Bisimoto. There was one guy that got the worst looking POS from Bisi and waited a long time for it. He spent a lot of time returning it and in the end was not happy. So as far a perfect is concerned, these replica headers are damned nice and will live as long as any motor will during competition. They may not be an investment header for the elite or carry a higher resale value, but they will preform well enough.

98vtec

I apologize if that sounded preachy. Was not my intention. I started my journey about a month ago and it hit me very hard.

Fyi, Bisi headers were made overseas. You can look at the Chinese headers and a real handcrafted piece and tell the difference. It's pretty eye catching. Many of the over seas pieces are simply fused together without filler metal. Not exactly a great practice but they can do it because they are already offering a cheap product which didn't cost them a single cent to develop.

Anyway, I do fabrication because I love to and its a calling that I was told to do and become established in. I will not compromise my calling by using anything sub standard because that takes away from the end result and I want my end results to reflect God.

/ non rant, just talking.

I haven't had a chance to look at any of the Chinese headers in person but I am also willing to bet their collectors are formed from one piece of tube instead of bringing 4 separate pieces together as one which makes it cheaper. the materials they are using are not the same as US steel. You can feel the difference. You can also hear the difference.

Tyler Dirden

iTrader: (3)

So sorry to come back a little direct with you. I was not intending to discourage you in any way from your argument. I am also not trying to discourage you in your faith. Great to have another saint in the HT family.
I didn't know bisi made them overseas, thank you for correcting me.

I have not heard of the formed collector being worse, just faster with die stamp forming. Is there a link that can help me understand this thought?

You will never look at the world the same so long as you continue in Christ. He will bless you and give you talent to achieve your desires so long as you give Him the glory as you are now.

Sparksman

I grew up in a religious household going to church, on both sides my grandparents were religious. I was very strong in my faith.

Other then cars my main hobbies are learning about chemistry, astronomy, biology, and religion. Im odd I know.. Ive studied all the monotheistic religions quite well as a adult, I know christianity, islam, and judaism. I even studied some polytheistic ones.

There a legit 40 books associated with the old testament, and like 27 books for the new testament. I was a hardcore believer, I wanted it to be true, I learned all I could. But the more I read the more the books turned me away. At church and Sunday school they skip a lot of things you wouldnt know about unless you study and read. Now Im a atheist, and to me personally the world makes more sense this way. But I still like the stories, and still study religion.

My point is Not to turn you from your path, different strokes for different fokes yo'. Just my personal life story. Since you said you just started your journey, I was just explaining where mine ended up. Dont use the King James version though, it was intentionally made confusing language even for its time. Same if someone wrote in Shakespearean tongue today. You get the story, but not the context of the original message.

This helped me out greatly on my own path, its a christian owned website. You type in a verse and can bounce between many modern translations of the bible and other holy text. Thats the best way to get the real message, hear all sides/translations and make your own decision.

https://www.biblegateway.com/

Funny story if you dont know, Darwin's wife was a christian. His theory of evolution was a direct result from him trying to prove god does exist.

Just talking


R.I.P. Randy,

Prudz_lude

iTrader: (1)

Let me share a story with you guys. If I would have not bought my header a few months back I would have had 98vtec build me a one off header without hesitation. I originally wanted the RMF drag header (a real one). I've wanted one for about the last 7 years. Unfortunately when you are a uni student and broke you can't afford such lavish items. Well, time continues and you get a real career and start making bank. Sadly Randy pasted away by this point in my life and finding a used one appeared impossible. It actually is extremely rare to find one still intact. I ended up settling for the knock off ebay PLM rmf long tube replica. Let me tell you guys about how ******* shitty my experience with it has been.

I bought the header off a Honda-tech retailer here. Price was right but that was about it. They claim it is for an h2b so it won't fit the prelude chassis the header was originally designed for. As I soon found out that is a load of ****. These headers aren't designed to fit an h22 at all. The clearance on the collector to the oil pan didn't fit at all. I should mention at first I tried it with the motor installed on the car. I felt a slight bump on the header and figured it was just the chassis. Eventually I had it on another h22 out of the car on an engine stand. That's when it became clear these headers don't fit an h22 at all. I began slowly cutting back the down pipe expecting the clearance to get a bit better. It didn't, by the time I had cut the header all the way to the collector I had about .05 of a mm between the headers collector and oil pan. I could fit a piece of paper between the two, that was about it. I ended up having a friend cut into the collect, add a pie shape piece to it, angel the collectors original pathway with a J pipe I bought at a local parts shop. Between welding costs, buying more materials, and the original price I'm into this header for far more than I would have ever paid. I'm into mine for about $800 Canadian. If I bought it today (as I said I bought it months ago) with the way the dollar just took a plunge I'd probably be in it for $900-950. All for a replica header. I still have no clue how it will perform in the long run. I've seen these replicas last years, i've seen others fail. I'm hoping that it goes for a long time but when it does fail i'll be contacting 98vtec and getting one made for me.

98vtec

Thank you for the kind words.

Prudz_lude

iTrader: (1)

here are some pictures to show how much modification was required to make it work.

-Pie cut
-Cutting into collector
-Add flex pipe
-Add flange
-Add bungs
-Extra 2.5 inch J pipe

All of that had to be purchased on top of the header itself.