So i took off my heat shield, on my 5th gen lude and the stock header look ok. It's bigger than u would think. I don't see how a aftermarket header would benefit. Let me ask any of you guys with a 99 year or later who switched to a DC header, did it make a difference. I heard it makes the vtec kick in stronger. True or false. I might just keep my stock header and heat wrap it. What do you guys think of the N1 cat back. And do any of you guys have a punch out cat. I'm wanting to do it, but are wondering about backpressure and the sound. Oh yeah it's a 2001 model if that helps.


[Modified by prelude10, 3:28 PM 1/17/2002]

 

I have a 93 vtec, still same engine as your ride an h22a?. Put a straight through cat on and you lose a lil low end but gain it back at top end. It will be louder and it will make your car run a lil richer. The dc header is great I have one and you notice the sounds when the vtec kicks in, it's louder then stock. The N1 exhaust is a nice exhaust it's not too loud like those lil ricey civics, it has a deeper sound. Oh yeah if ya wrap the header it might crack it. If ya take off your heat shield the engine bay will warm up much quicker, but the stock heat shield won't fit back on over the dcheader.


[Modified by LudeBehavior, 3:59 PM 1/17/2002]

 

New Lude (2001) won't really benefit from a different header. The one you have is the best one that Honda produced for 5th gen. You might see some gains after doing work on the engine, but then again for the street minimal at best. As to Catalytic convertors-it is ILLEGAL to modify it-PERIOD. With that said-the 5th gen ECU is set up to work off 2 O2 sensors-one on the rear of the cat. (I know that it can be fooled sort of) There are no real gains with a straight pipe configuration on a 5th gen that I am aware of. What can happen is negative rather than positive-so think about other mods that are known to improve performance such as pulleys and cams-if you do not care about warranties that is.
BTW: The heat shield is a source of controversy as to what it is really there for-a big metal warning sign for starters. It also hold some heat in.


[Modified by jc836, 8:29 AM 1/17/2002]

 

I dont understand everyone's urge to remove the heat shield. I'm sure it looks better with it on....but different strokes I guess. I would not recommend wrapping your header....especially the stock one. You will see no gains worth the fact that you could possible crack and rust them.

 

I don't have a 99+, but I do have lude with a dc header!
stock manifolds in my opinion suck
yea, i agree, they do look somewhat decent, but thats about it!
they say it is supposed to give you more torque....I don't know if it did, but it sure did make my car faster.....and that vtec....daaammn! when it kicks it.....
"dooooo......(vtec)WAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" well....you now what it sounds like
I like my header and I wouldn't change it for a stock piece for nothing!

 

the stock H22A manifold is great.

The reason that the 5th gen one is a little better is because the collector is a little better designed.

The main gain from headers is the collector. Greddy and Mugen are the only ones I know of that make headers with a good power gain, but you'll need to replace the cat with a 60mm inlet/outlet pipe (or cat, if you prefer or if you are cursed with OBDII).

 

Has anyone tried port matching the header? I know it is a free couple to several horsepower on American musclecars. I haven't taken anything apart to see how well the stock is matched.