okie dokie, folks. just recently got re-employed, and ya'll know what that means! that's right! pouring money into my car. lookin at a 95 accord ex, f22b1 with just a catback and CAI. and the next purchase in line is some upgraded headers and a hi-flow cat. just would like some of your opinions on brands and qualities. for the headers, i was thinking of going for ceramic instead of stainless steel. although, if ya'll think that wouldn't be wise, i'd certainly like to hear about it. anyhoo, i'd just like to know what you peoples think of DC and OBX headers. those seem to be the dominant brands at least for my particular vehice. i know DC is good, just wondering if any of you knew about OBX's quality as well.

thanks a bunch.
-Chris

 

You have a 4cy so it's only one header, not headers....
OBX could be good, but I'm sure DC won't give you any extra HP than an OBX one.

 

Dc has a carb number, and depending on where yo live, you can pass emissions with it. the obx probably doesnt have a carb number, meaning you have to switch the header out everytime you go for emissions testing.

 

Before anyone says it, search if you can. As for the header, get DC over the OBX, although news is that lately their quality is getting better, you don't know how many of the crappy quality ones are still in circulation. Also, what are your power plans? Off the line or top speed? The exhaust plays a big role in that. As for a cat, either random tech or carsound from Kteller.com would be a good choice. Good luck.

 

The f22b1 header is as good, if not better than the DC header. Its good enough that all DC copied the design! Keep the header stock, a lot of people around here will tell you that.

 

if you want to spend money, just get a new collector welded onto your B1 header. literally, the DC headers are the exact same thing; they're just not cast.

actually, might wanna look into a chikara header. they have 2.5" collector

 

Good news, since you've already got a F22b1 ('95 ex) you can save your money; you've already got the good manifold
I refer to:



Looks like the upper section of the DC series of headers, doesn't it? The EX downpipe makes up the rest. A factory 4x2x1 exhaust system, who would have figured?

P

 

When putting on a new header, is it necessary to change the gasket or can I run without it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by importfanatic17 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When putting on a new header, is it necessary to change the gasket or can I run without it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Of course you can run w/o it. It's just a horrible idea. Do yourself a favor and pony up the 15 bucks.

 

when i had my sohc vtec i put a hp racing header on it. not sure the hp gains but it gave it alot more top end and it didn't lose any bottom end.( i went from getting beat by ls powered civics to beating them. i had cai/header/no cat/ exhaust.

 

hmm. that's certainly interesting aboot DC just copying the stock ones. now, yell at me if you must, but, the stock header is ugly as *****, and so is the heat shield, and i wanted something better looking under the ole hood. power i'm looking for is an ideal anywhere from 250-300hp. not looking to make the biggest race car, just a goooood little sleeper.
oh, and that hp racing header didn't sound too bad, if you member where you picked it up.

 

250-300hp? hang on there.

bolt-ons are the least of your worries then, at most about 10% increase in whp.

It's either swap that f22b1 for a massively built (P&P, upped compression, etc...) NA, H22a, or like 12lbs boost on your built f22b1.

 

yha you got a ways to go with the stock engine for 250-300hp but if you do decide to do that and keep the stock engine dont just add on a turbo and think i dont need to build it it will be fine and boost it at higher then 10 to 12lbs that wouldnt be vary good my advice build or swap like typhoon said

 

yeah, smmer project is the H22a1 head swap to switch er over to DOHC, while still leaving me with the stronger bottom end from my engine, in case i decide to boost. yes, i realize 250hp is a good ways to go, but, the bored out TB, DOHC head, intake manifold, chip, and whatnot, i just need some time(money). i realize that this is the least of my concerns, i just want to make sure that i'm doing it right from the beginning.
(and don't lecture me on the H22a1 head swap, telling me that it doesn't work, because it does. and if you don't believe so, just smile and think how much smarter you are than me)

 

well, if your going to be swapping the head, don't you think that is some information you should have posted in your opening post?

The F22B1 header won't mount to the H22A1 head as far as I know as you should be looking for a header for the H22.

And if you are looking for a header for the F22B1, why? Your swapping the head anyway, why waste your money on something thats only going to be in there a short while?

 

You are correct.
The F22bx families (F22b1 and F22b2) share the same exhaust port spacing, bolt alignment and exhaust gasket (and by inference) the exhaust manifolds. A pattern discribed as a 1x2x1 pairing.
The F22a1 appears to share the H22's pattern of 1x1x1x1 and will NOT fit the F22bx series

P

editted for clarity A1 for B1


Modified by P_Adams at 10:44 PM 4/3/2006

 

If you want 250whp turbo your f22. The h22 head swap won't get you 250, even with supporting mods.

 

Why would it be horrible to run without the manifold gasket? Will it not seal all the way?

 

No, it requires a gasket.
Dis-similar materials (Aluminum - Steel), different expansion rates.
It would require constant re-tightening.
Even Machine fit pieces require a sealant, and I've yet to find an extremely high temp anaerobic sealer.

P

 

i bought it used.

 

uh. i didn't put my h22a1 head swap plans in the original post because i didn't feel like defending the idea, nor did i think it was relevent, being as i all i wanted was people's opinions on the quality of different brands of headers and cats. and/or locations where i could find them. that's all. don't feel like people biting my head off because i don't feel like going into every mod i want on my car.

anyhoo. thank ya'll for your help.

 

go with DC Sports Header, it is a well-known brand.

there are tons of good brands out there as well.

go to http://www.summitracing.com

they have wide varieties of header brands for accord.

good luck.

 

I don't know why you keep thinking you need to defend why you plan to swap a H22 head onto you F22 block, it's not it hasn't been done before. I think there are quite a few people over at CB7Tuner that have done that swap. Also, it's your car, do what you want. You know how many poeple have told me I'd be better off swapping a b series into my Civic hatch rather than the F22B1 I plan putting in there, I don't care and it hasn't swayed my decision in the least. Don't be so scared of what people may think, it's a public web forum, there is always going to be someone who will disagree with you.

As for the relevance of the H22 head swap, of course it's relevant. Your asking for people opinions on a header. Maybe there are brands availible for the H22 head that aren't availible for the F22B1 head that would be a better choice. Meaning, if brand X makes a better header than brand Y but only brand X makes a header for the H22 and brand Y makes a header for the F22B1 & H22 heads, which is the better choice? Naturally brand X, but people can't give you the best advise if you don't supply all the relevant information.

Also, I wasn't asking you to into every mod you want on your car. Just what is relevant to your question.

Next time do be so defensive. I wasn't being harsh in my post, more so informing you that you should have put that info in your opening post.

 

Basically, just keep the stock manifold, it's arguably as good as an aftermarket header. When you swap heads, buy an aftermarket header.

Edit: There's no need to defend what you want to do. We were just giving you realistic tech advice that you won't get 250 HP with bolt-ons.

 

You said you had a EX right? The EX header is about as good as it gets. Your not really going to gain much if anything from an aftermarket header. A LX or other model maybe but the header on the EX is already about as good as it gets.