How good does anyone figure the top half of the header is? To me it seems pretty restrictive. However, the pipes are pretty short, so it might not be a big deal.

The reason I ask is that I've been planning a DC sports header with downpipe / collector mod for my 2001 Prelude. I got taking some measurements on the OEM header, and the downpipe is really not too bad. The secondary pipes measure almost 1.9inches ID, which is much bigger than the DC secondary pipes, and they are not oval. The serious short coming to the OEM downpipe is the collector which necks down to 1.6inches ID at the flex section.

My though is to just do the collector modification to the OEM header and not get hassled by the smog inspector, though they shouldn't hassle me about a DC header either. The only thing I worry about is that the pipes coming off of the head are so small on the OEM header, and the bends are not mandrel bends. The flange matches the head quite well, but the ID of the tubes is only 1.3inches.

So I'm thinking that the modfied DC header is still the way to go, but I am wondering of anyone has some experience with the OEM header that would make me change my mind. I've always thought that most of the power potential lies in the downpipe (secondaries and collector), but I think the OEM top section may be too small to bother with.

Let me know.

 

Look into the horsepower gains for any headers that you get. I started to get DC headers, but saw that they actually( in the article I read )hurt horsepower. The only real gains, above 4-5 horse, that I saw were for the Hytech headers. I know you probably don't want to spend that much( $900+ ), but the design is awesome for n/a. You get the low end and the high end with it.

If you just want a name brand, go DC....very cheap, decent look. If you are just going for power, keep the stock header, and change the collector pipe; maybe get a welder to make you something.