I currently daily drive my 97 ex with a b16 swap. I have been up in the air about a header for quite some time. I want something that makes decent gains but is good for a daily driver. The roads around here are not that great, and i REALLY would like to have decent ground clearance. My car is not dumped so, maybe i'd be fine with a JDM type r or the DC which most seem to use.

My questions are this, is this really the best design for a street driven b16? Would i be better off with something like a comptech or apex'i gt spec? I've also heard 4-2-1 designs are better for daily driving and street cars....any thoughts on this?

Other things to keep in mind... looking in the $500 range and stainless steel would be great.

Does the AN-R come with a flange or does one need to be added on?

 

I have a DC Sports JDM 4-1 header on my 1999 Civic Si that is daily driven. I only have my car lowered 1" and it still scrapes in some areas in town (I cannot go to Lowes because the speed bumps are so high that it has scraped my header twice.) Despite being careful, I do have a nice dimple in it (it gives it character .) The header is notorious for hanging low. If you do not want any damage at all, either install/fabricate some sort of skid-plate or don't even bother. That being said, I enjoy the header alot and if you are set on the $500 or less range then you cannot beat the power it makes vs. the cost (I purchased mine almost 2 years ago when it was $350.)

My suggestion to you however is that if you decide to stay naturally aspirated and have no plans on going forced induction (read: turbo), save your money and invest in a custom exhaust manifold. Personally, I like DTR's headers and have been contemplating investing in one for a long time. They strike a good balance it seems between affordability, quality, and power gains made. I do not know if I will be keeping my Si much longer though so I have held off on investing in one (along with the fact that I have been dumping money into buying parts and saving for work for my cylinder head and Hondata off and on for the past year.) Back to the point however, if you are really wanting to stay $500 or less, I think its a good, proven choice. Stainless is nice, but unless you live somewhere where it is really humid and you are near the ocean you can do ceramic to save some cash and not worry about rust. I have ceramic and it has held up great here in West Texas (although I really wish I had gone stainless-it looks so much better.)

 

Iw oudl recommend the comptech

no 4-2-1 's are not necessarilly better for daily drivers however they do usually offer a broader powerband

It depends on your rpm range and evryhting else in your engine

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eLusive ek4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no 4-2-1 's are not necessarilly better for daily drivers however they do usually offer a broader powerband</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL, doesn't that mean that it would be better on a daily driven car?

 

not necessarilly depends on how you drive what kind of powerband you like i guess for most i myself enjoy the peaky narrow powerband.

 

I'm definately a more mid-range power driver (yea that contradicts the b16, i know). I just want something that is going to help more through out the entire power range. I've heard good things about comptech. What is the difference between a 2 and 2.5" collector? I believe the comptech has a 2. Also, has anyone heard good things about 5Zigen?

elusive, how bout you get the guys there at burns to make me one! :-D

oh, also, everything internal on my engine is stock.... i have intake and exhaust currently


Modified by BigZ88 at 5:08 PM 11/23/2004

 

hehe i will soon be one of the guys @ burns well i work here now but the building headers will come soon enough keep your eyes open.

Collector sizing is critical to optimizing the header for your application remember bigger is not always better

I would take comptech over 5 zigen

 

Based on past experience and numerous dino testing the comp-tech sounds like a good investment. A friend of mine made awesome power with just comptech bolt-ons, type r cams, and a slight mill. No tuning, no weight reduction in a 1999 civic si and he ran 14.7 at Carlsbad. Not to mention he weighs 230 pounds and was only pulling a 2.2 60'. The jdm type R and the knock offs are really affordable and make very good power, although in southern california carb. exemption is the way to go. The jg edelbrock modified with a 3" collector is awesome if you want to make a wild b16, the jdm type r ofr dc is great for a modded motor, and the comptech is great for a more stock application. These headres are cheap and all make great power depending on your application. I hope this helps.

 

i guess i dont have the theory down yet. I sure wish i did though as it bothers me as a mechanical engineer aboutt to graduate....grrrr

Congrats on movin up at Burns man. Ya'lls stuff is amazing.

ok so comptech seems to be a good choice.... how does this compare to an apex'i gt header? they appear to be similiar design

 

The apex is very niice as we;; id still take the comptech they are all very simialar

lol at least your about to graduate im just starting on my engineering degree

 

good luck with it man! its tough, but interesting. The apex'i seems to be a bit cheaper generally.... hrrm, both look good.