I finally got around to having my cross-member cut on my DA so I can install a nice header. I had the Vibrant 4-2-1 JSPEC header laying around the house since x-mas just waiting to be installed. so without further delay...

Car- 93 DA LS

Engine- B16A block, B18C1 head.

The old header was a Chikara header given to me as a gift. I know, they aren't the best, but i wasn't about to turn it down. Not only is it a free header, but I didn't want to hurt the gift givers feelings by not installing it.


Notice the abrupt 4-2 transition. Not good. The Primary piping was about 1.5-1.6'' O.D. I have no idea what the I.D was. Im almost afraid to know.


Here's a shot of the b-pipe as well as the primaries (which was the same O.D, BTW). Looks pretty normal from afar, right?


Wrong. Under 2'' collector. You can't see it from here because its so dark, but there was some cast-off around the O2 sensor bung. I cleaned up the inside of the header with a dremel before I put it on, but I couldn't get it all.


Here's the new Vibrant header. Its a knock off of the T1R header, and as far as I've been able to gather, every piping diameter/length is the same as the T1R


Very long primaries, 1.75'' I.D. bumping up to 2'' I.D for the secondary tubes and exiting to a true 2.5'' collector. The flange is stainless, too.


Of course, its not complete without the collector shot.


The inside of the header received as much attention as the appearance. The collectors aren't simply where the pipes dump into one. Its "blended" in smoothly instead of having the pipes just stop. I have one picture of this, but it turned out too dark to really see anything super clearly. Ill try to lighten it up a bit in PS soon.

A big thanks to Tim from Forward Thrust for doing the dirty work and installing this thing. He had to hack away at the cross-member fairly severely, in case any DA owners were wondering. The actual header fit great, sans the cross-member shenanigans.

Ground clearance was like stock.

As far as performance goes, I couldn't tell you. I drove it home coasting most of the way. It was painfully loud and I wanted to save my ears from bleeding. Not only that, but Id rather have it hooked up to the exhaust to get a better idea of how much of an improvement occurred. There are no dyno numbers from either header. Of course, after tomorrows muffler shop appointment, ill be back with my ***-dyno findings

 

nice.

how much did you pick it up for?

 

under 500, shipped

 

Did you put a magnet to the flanges to check to see if it was stainless? Just wondering.

 

No, I did not. I asked Vibrant.

Do you think I was lied to?

SMSP- what do you think of this for an off the shelf header? Conisderably sub 500, no less. Just wondering, since you are just about the grand-master of all things header here on H-T.

New Pic. Better view of the diameter jump.

 

another sexy header

 

we have been selling those for a while, never had any problems with them, its pretty much just a pretty version of the jdm itr header

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdmcivicferio &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">we have been selling those for a while, never had any problems with them, its pretty much just a pretty version of the jdm itr header</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is the JSPEC 4-1 header. This is the JSPEC 4-2-1 header. T1R copy.

 

Cool do you like the header ? Finally someone with the header on his car !!!

Did you drive your car home open header ?? Than i understand it is loud !!!

Really like to see some pics of it on your car ( see pm).

Well just waiting to see how you like after the rest of your muffler fixed/installed.

 

wow looks like a def imporvment from what you had...

now just go dyno that thang!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by notstock93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No, I did not. I asked Vibrant.

Do you think I was lied to?

SMSP- what do you think of this for an off the shelf header? Conisderably sub 500, no less. Just wondering, since you are just about the grand-master of all things header here on H-T. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I didn't want to imply that at all. I've just seen some flanges that looked the same on other pieces that were supposed to be stainless but were actually some kind of chromed mild steel. THe folks were sure that they were stainless based on the look. But the easiest way to check is with a magnet. THe tubing is probably 304 stainless which is non magnetic like all the 300 series stainless. The flanges might be some 400 series stainless which are magnetic. Either way I wouldn't sweat it, if it's mild steel then it looks like it's been coated to take care of the rust.

Like I said I was just wondering.

 

from one DA owner to another

:lol: I just read that you drove home open header.

 

:drool:
nice header, makes me wanna hack away at my crossmember and go 2.5"

 

then who's going to buy my DC stainless!?

 

bwwwahahaa &lt;3 ya duy!!!!!

 

UPDATE

The header is on the car with the exhaust bolted up (crappy 2.25 crush bent exhaust, chambered muffler). The header STILL hits the cross-member and causes a lot of vibration at about 2,300RPM. Im going to have to get that fixed ASAP. Another .5'' of cutting/pounding should make everything groovy.

Performance wise, I only made a pass or two. The power band used to start at about 4k and last until 7k, now it pulls with a fervor never seen before from 2k all the way until redline. The exhaust sound is what you would expect , very deep, wispy and guttural. It growls at low RPM and wails like a banshee past 5k. I can barely hear VTEC engage. Granted, a lot of the noise is the vibration from the cross-member.

The thing that impressed me the most wasn't the HP gain that I undoubtedly received, but the new location of the power curve. It pulls slightly harder, yes, but more importantly, it pulls in more areas of the RPM range.

 

 

UPDATE 2

Just got back from the second muffler shop today, the vibration is fixed. The cross-member was heated red hot then bent out of the way of the header where they were touching. At first I was worried the header would get too hot and be pliable, but it turned out perfect.

It now drives like it used to (just a tad rougher than stock from worn mounts) and hauls considerably more *** than the old setup. After a cosmetic fix on the horizon, the car gets strapped on the dyno for wide-band tuning with my hondata. That should really let this thing shine.

 

Great good to hear man did you get my pm ??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rev limiter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Great good to hear man did you get my pm ??</TD></TR></TABLE>

Got it, PM'd you back

 

woootttt

*** yea boiiii, finally got that installed

can i borrow that header sometime? i feel lonely at night

 

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

*** yea boiiii, finally got that installed

can i borrow that header sometime? i feel lonely at night</TD></TR></TABLE>

This ones mine. Git 'yer own girl. *squint*

Brought it throught the whole rev range today. The exhuast is holding me back at higher RPM. More power is begging to be tuned out of this thing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by notstock93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Got it, PM'd you back</TD></TR></TABLE>

got it !! thanks !!

 

just curious if anyone can recommend a good place to buy this header online. I'm thinking of selling my jg edelbrock header and upgrading.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by notstock93 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This ones mine. Git 'yer own girl. *squint*

Brought it throught the whole rev range today. The exhuast is holding me back at higher RPM. More power is begging to be tuned out of this thing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

damn....at least i tried..

with such an improvement i bet it leaned it out quite a bit