blackcivic11

I'm getting a header for a B16a2 and i was wondering if i should get 4-1 or 4-2-1. Which one is better? and also whether i should get the 2 piece or one piece

thanks guys

slvrcvc93

depends on what your looking for in power is the question 4-2-1 have better low to midrange power and torque the 4-1 have better high end power but still produce decent torque usually the more popular though are 4 to 1

blackcivic11

ok well i have a B16a2 with intake and exhaust so would it be worth it to have the higher end power or lower end?

B serious

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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok well i have a B16a2 with intake and exhaust so would it be worth it to have the higher end power or lower end?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exploit the engine's strengths instead of trying to make it do something it's never going to do. The 4-1 will emphasize the top end. Depending on header design, you shouldn't lose too much low end. Usually, a well designed honda header is expensive.

There's someone on honda tech selling hytech replicas for like $400 and some change shipped.

DC sports doesn't make a bad header either. For the price, they're great.

spock_rocker

i vote lower.. B16 engines are weak mostly in the lower end torque area, but a header itself isnt going to make a world of difference

B serious

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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spock_rocker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i vote lower.. B16 engines are weak mostly in the lower end torque area, but a header itself isnt going to make a world of difference</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, like you said the header isn't going to make a world of difference. Meaning that every day driveability is the same or very similar. The difference is made when going fast. The top end on the 4-1 is better. When you're trying to go fast, low and mid range dont matter one bit. If you shift from redline, you'll never see below 6k in the next gear anyway.

SkoundrelUSA

Go with the 4-1. I'd say something along the ITR/ITR replica/Street Imports design.

You're never gonna gain torque on a B16 with a header so might as well focus on making horsepower.

blackcivic11

im looking at getting a DC Sports 4-1 in ceramic looking to pay around 400 for a new one is that a good option?

B serious

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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im looking at getting a DC Sports 4-1 in ceramic looking to pay around 400 for a new one is that a good option?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think the hytech replica on honda tech may be a better option for $400. Look on ebay for DC headers...they're usually cheaper than $400.

SkoundrelUSA

I personally never liked DC headers. Because the collector is still like 2"-2.25" and the ceramic looks terrible later from heat and rust

I'd go with this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Even though its "cheap," a decent amount of people have had good results with them. The only thing you gotta look out for is the fitment. Might have to drill 1 hole on the flange to fit onto the head.

But for $190 shipped, you can't really beat that

B serious

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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SkoundrelUSA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I personally never liked DC headers. Because the collector is still like 2"-2.25" and the ceramic looks terrible later from heat and rust

I'd go with this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Even though its "cheap," a decent amount of people have had good results with them. The only thing you gotta look out for is the fitment. Might have to drill 1 hole on the flange to fit onto the head.

But for $190 shipped, you can't really beat that</TD></TR></TABLE>

The head is the same on a B16A as an ITR. Same casting. The exhaust side bolt arrangement is the same on all B series except the B20 from the prelude.

an ITR header will hang down past the oil pan a little farther on a B16A...no biggie, though.

HOWEVER...since the header you show is a 98+spec fitment, it will cost some $$ to have your exhaust lengthened. The 98+ integra header is shorter than the civic header considerably. Like 8'' or so, IIRC.

Here. The stainless is a civic or older integra header. The car is a 98spec. See how much shorter the OEM header is?

blackcivic11

what about the DC header in stainless?

B serious

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what about the DC header in stainless?</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol...what about the hytech replica in stainless??

The downfall of the DC header is the outlet size. Although, it does bolt right up to a B16A cat.

The JDM ITR 2.5'' collector arrangement requires either a JDM ITR cat or you need to rotate your USDM cat.

IIRC, the hytech replica on honda tech was clocked for the USDM cat. So, with the right donut gasket, it will bolt up and seal perfectly.

Search around on ebay or other sites for either a hytech replica 2.5'' collector or a ITR replica 2.5'' collector header that will actually bolt up to your stock USDM cat. Buy a quality header.

The 2.5'' collector is kinda what you're after here. The collector on the DC headers is kinda small.

SkoundrelUSA

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B serious &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

The head is the same on a B16A as an ITR. Same casting. The exhaust side bolt arrangement is the same on all B series except the B20 from the prelude.

an ITR header will hang down past the oil pan a little farther on a B16A...no biggie, though.

HOWEVER...since the header you show is a 98+spec fitment, it will cost some $$ to have your exhaust lengthened. The 98+ integra header is shorter than the civic header considerably. Like 8'' or so, IIRC.

Here. The stainless is a civic or older integra header. The car is a 98spec. See how much shorter the OEM header is?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol no I'm not talking about the pattern on B-series heads. I mean the header-designer [freak]ed up and some of the people that bought this header had to drill out one hole on the left side because it didn't line up. My friend has one. He loves it, just had to drill out one hole to fit onto the head.

blackcivic11

well the thing is is my exhaust right now is a 2.25" and i don't have enough cash to buy another one with 2.5"

B serious

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well the thing is is my exhaust right now is a 2.25" and i don't have enough cash to buy another one with 2.5"</TD></TR></TABLE>

....

You dont have to.

blackcivic11

really? lol a 2.5" header will fit on my 2.25" exhaust?


Modified by blackcivic11 at 1:29 PM 3/17/2008

blackcivic11

does a 2.5" header fit on a 2.25" catback exhaust?

SkoundrelUSA

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">does a 2.5" header fit on a 2.25" catback exhaust?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah I had a Mugen replica header (2.5" collector) to a 2.25" Magnaflow exhaust a couple years ago.

But I also remember I had a stock B16 exhaust manifold bolted onto a stock Civic CX exhaust with no cat. Not sure how I did that lol

B serious

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SkoundrelUSA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

But I also remember I had a stock B16 exhaust manifold bolted onto a stock Civic CX exhaust with no cat. Not sure how I did that lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

It bolts on. The 96+ non EXes have the cat on the manifold...so the exhaust is longer to compensate. The B series down pipe bolts right up to the non EX exhaust..but there's no room for a cat.

I had that setup with my 99 DX hatch that I swapped. I only rolled like that for about a week. I hate driving with no cat on. Plus the car sounded like **** and the power was DEFINATELY missing. The car was stupid slow.

I just bolted on a OBD1 cat (I had an OBD1 ECU), and had a 2.25'' exhaust made up leading to a vibrant "quiet" muffler that wasn't so quiet.

OP: The OEM ITR exhaust is about 2.25''. The ITR collector is 2.5''. Honda does the 2.5'' to 2.25'' all the time from the factory and seems to have decent luck with it.

Vibrant also makes a good header. But their JDM ITR header will require you to re-clock your cat and exhaust. A little chop and weld at an exhaust shop will take care of that though.

Juan_Mitosis

If you're gonna go DC Sports, its a nice header, get it used for cheap. I Payed $80 for mine with thermo-wrap too. Whats your budget? The Hytech replica has AMAZING reviews here on H-T, so if you can and want to afford it, its the best bet, because you WILL be swapping out the DC Sports header later on anyways, its only good, not GREAT or amazing.

blackcivic11

im thinking now of getting the hytech replica header with the nitrate coating but i've heard of maybe some clearance issues? I have a 96 civic hatch with about a 2.5-3" drop with a b16a2... so you think ill have some clearance problems?

this is my car at its ride height now:

torontoefsedan

You should go for the Tri Y.. if you read honda tuning this month, they did a test. and the 4-1 only makes moe power than the Tri Y .. or 4-2-1.. above 7200 rpm.. so for having 3,4 more hp arond 5,000 when you really need it--- I'd go tri y.... They dynoed it... Only difference overall was 3 hp.. and that was only above 7200....

BiG_DeE

screw all that, just go buy a turbo mani and turbo ur car, boost like 7 pounds you will be fine

B serious

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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BiG_DeE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">screw all that, just go buy a turbo mani and turbo ur car, boost like 7 pounds you will be fine </TD></TR></TABLE>



<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blackcivic11 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im thinking now of getting the hytech replica header with the nitrate coating but i've heard of maybe some clearance issues? I have a 96 civic hatch with about a 2.5-3" drop with a b16a2... so you think ill have some clearance problems?

this is my car at its ride height now:


</TD></TR></TABLE>

You should be just fine. Avoid hitting deer, giant speed bumps at high speed, people, curbs, bison, etc.