So I've got a 99 Civic Si that I believe has an exhaust leak in the factory manifold. I'm gonna replace the manifold for an aftermarket header. Not looking to spend 300 bucks on a performance header, but I don't wanna put junk into my car. Not really looking for significant power gain, I just wanna fix my problem. I've seen the $50 eBay headers. Does anyone have any experience with those? I'm not looking to spend any more than $200.

 

They work, but they are a crapshoot in the quality department. One that I got hung down too low and was at a bit of an angle. I used a jack and a ratchet strap along with a MAP gas torch to heat it up and bend it how I needed it. Or you might be fine, but that's the thing with most of the "ebay" headers. I don't particularly mind buying one now that I know I can reshape them if I need to.

 

How long have you had it? Are the welds holding up? Again, I'm not looking for a significant power gain. My computer is just going haywire because of the leak.

 

The welds were fine, I don't have it any more since it was on a car that I sold. I probably had it a year or so. You probably won't get any power gains with just a header anyway, but I would recommend looking for a used brand name header first. If you can't find one for >$100, then roll the dice with the ebay one.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Bump. Any ideas guys? Looking into headers for my next purchase. Not sure where to look or what to look for. Any input is much appreciated.

 

If you want to buy cheap crap, nothing anyone here says is going to stop you from doing it. I've helped a half dozen people with cheap, knockoff exhaust manifolds - not on the forums, actually physically on their car. Of those, only one fit correctly. The rest, I had to attack with a belt sander to flatten shitty, warped flanges, or make new gaskets for because the ones it came with were **** (if they even came with it), or buy new hardware (because the shitty hardware it came with snapped, or loosened out of it's press fitting), or repolishing it because the finish was absolute ****.

You would be better served finding an uncracked, OEM one in a junk yard. If you really want to buy that shiny piece of knockoff trash, be ready to not actually fix that exhaust leak, and maybe end up with a second one, too.

 

Relax man, I was just asking if anyone had any experience with them. I'm not some dumbass who buys a piece of shiny metal for precisely that reason. I care about what I put into my car, which is why I consulted the forum before buying anything. I am completely unbiased. I never said I was looking to buy an eBay header.

 

Go junkyard hopping...

 

Not too many where I live. I've only seen one other Si in my town, so I assume it would be difficult to find a B series manifold. But thanks for the input nonetheless.

 

So your saying you don't have a local pick n pull? Worse case scenario, I'd try to track down a 92-93 integra GSR. I mean you can use the eBay header it should work, but like mentioned fitment sucks, and quality. Unless your super slammed because they need more clearance than reg headers. You shouldn't have a problem.

 

If you can't find a used oem manifold, majestic honda has them online.

 

I'm not sure how many junk yards there are. But I was in the market to upgrade the stock manifold to some headers. I'm not not looking for top of the line stuff. I'm just not sure whether or not mid grade headers (under 200 bucks) would be better, or if I should just get another stock manifold. I wouldn't mind a performance boost, But I'm not specifically in the market for one. My car does have an aftermarket exhaust and intake.

 

I don't know if all b series motors are equal when it comes to exhaust but if they are, Yonaka has been stated to be a decent low priced option.

This might be just the thing for you:




I know the quality of welds and material on Spec-D for me was pretty good, fitment was a touch off but not unbearable:


Brand new in original packaging. Exactly the same as shown in the picture! Made of high quality T304 stainless steel with mandrel-bent. ( chrome polished ) C.N.C. machine flanges with TIG and MIG welded construction. Super light weight. 4-1 racing design. Gains instant 10-15 horsepower. 02 sensor insertion ready. Do not come with installation instruction. Professional installation highly recommended. Fitment : 94-01 Acura Integra LS/RS/GS

The HP gain is of course questionable, the welds etc I found to be true.

 

I bought one for my 92 Si when it still had the D-series in it.

Installed it, was way to short to fit the cat/catback, uninstalled it, and it's been sitting in my garage for 3 years.

Don't waste your time or money.

Either get another OE manifold and pipe, or spend $300 on a decent header.

 

I appreciate the input from both of you. I've decided the eBay crap is out of question.

 

The all motor section has some info on headers if you search in there that might help you out.

 

You get what you pay for