Figure I'd ask and see if anyone had this problem before I get to indepth trying to figure out what's wrong. I got a 97 gsr semi built, just swapped out my dc sports 421 header for a cheapy 4-1 that I pretty much got for free so I wanted to put in til I got something nicer. Thing is the header was dented pretty bad on the bottom but I still threw it on. Started the car up and everything sounded good, took it down the road and the thing sounded just like a wrx, but when I put it in nuetral and reved it
up it seemed fine. I figured it was sumthin with the header being dented and restricting flow since
motor felt fine car still moved like it did b4. Next day I found a deal on a jdm itr 4-1 header and swapped it in, sounded good at idle, took it down the road and it still has the wrx sound but not as bad? I can only think that sumthin is hittin or firing right like a plug or wire? I just put new ngk iridiums in about a month ago. I'm gonna get a new set and check compression later on. I've been driving to work everyday, mainly highway and car still moves and screams when vtec hits. Any input is appreciated. Thanx

 

If the car runs fine, then I don't think it's anything big. The sound could have came from your aftermarket headers along mix with the type of exhaust system/pipping size that you may have. Personally, I rather have my car sound like a wrx rather than a honda.

 

check if all ur spark plug wires are hooked up and not messed up in order

 

I have an hks hiper catback but sounded awesome b4 all this. I hav the jdm itr header on now. Gonna try fuel injector cleaner as well.

 

Ive had this issue with my ex GSR. I found the issue was in the B pipe before her collector causing the exhaust to be unequal. In your case Im not sure Injector cleaner i dont believe will do much. I would start probably by letting the car run drive it until you get the Boxer rumble, the do the simple spark plug test pull the wires out and check for a change in pitch. You can do the same thing with your injectors by unplugging the injectors one by one.

If you find any changes in the engine when you pull the spark plug wire pull that spark plug out and check it.

If nothing is abnormal pull the spark plugs and check them all.

 

You mean if I don't hear much difference check that cylinder. I thought maybe the injectors could be clogged

 

Almost sounds like its running on 3 1/2 cylinders

 

ok so compression turned out ok even tho i was expecting a little higher number since its got pretty high compression. From 1-4 230/230/230/250. Checked the plugs and injectors while running and they all made a tad difference when unplugged so they were fine. Put new plugs and wires in anywayand changed the oil. Car sounds a bit better but still at low rpm it has that wrx sound, like if youd roll you tonque. LOL Cars still seems faster but i coulda sworn it felt faster unless its just in my head. The change of the header was actually suppose to help since the dc 421 was too restrictive for my setup.

Could anything with the cams have anything to do? just swapped out my skunk 2 stage 2s the other week for toda stage 3 cams. Would compression be off if something were wrong with the lobes or not? Reason i was asking is bc i seen very fine flakes under the valve cover.

 

how's your timing looking

 

thanks for reminding me, wanted to look at the next but almost forgot til you mentioned it. LOL Just came in for diner then heading out to check. I got aem cam gears so hopefully they didnt slip

 

Ok so the timing is still where it has been since i swapped the cams. I had trouble getting it perfect but this is how it looks with the bottom pulley lined up with the cover. It must be fine since ive had it dyno'd and everything was running fine. Its not even half a tooth but it bothered me so much i played with it for like 2 days b4 id let it go. Is it possible to compensate that much by adjusting the gears?

 

ok so im starting to wonder if gas could be the cause. Just realized that the day i put the header on i got gas from an Exxon station, and the same day i picked up the jdm header i stopped at another Exxon and filled up. Well this morning i start the car to leave for work and let it idle for a few minutes before i pull out and it stalls as i start to go then does it again after i got it started. Car was gettin low on gas so i stopped and filled up at a Royal Farms. Have noticed that the car is sounding a little better now but still feels like i lost some low end power. Could that be from the new header? Its really bugging me!!

 

it sounds like your cam timing is your issue. do you still have your oem cam gears to put on to the cams to check timing?

my guess is your exhaust is retarded too far or off a tooth.

 

its been like this tho after i changed the cams and had the car dyno'd and everything performed fine. I was told that off a hair wasnt bad. I know its not a tooth bc i spent hours trying to get the hair out and just couldnt no matter how i tightened the tensioner. I however would like to adjust the cam gears to see if it helps at all but again would have to have it on a dyno to see any results.

 

seems like the car is starting to come around the more i drive it, so im really leaning toward the crappy gas from Exxon. And i guess the change in low end power is from the new header which more then likely bumped the top end up.