Here is the car:
1998 Civic DX 3DR 1.6L, 158k miles

Here is what a Honda Dealership told me:
1. Cracked Exhaust Manifold
a. $725 - Replace the Exhaust Manifold (one unit with Cat), gaskets
b. $165- Replace the cat heat shield
c. $130-$200 each - Replace the O2 sensors if necessary (told me they usually are ceased and break off when removing the cat itself)

So...
Is this a good price? I called Honda and found out these are the prices for the parts:
exhaust manifold gasket 18115-p2a-004 $12.31
Manifold/Cat Converter 18160-p2e-a12 $573.35, 302.73
Cat Heatshield - Front 18182-p2e-a00 $29.28
Cat Heatshield - Rear 18183-p2a-j00 $29.28
Primary o2 Sensor 36521-p2e-a01 $196.76, 89.47
Secondary o2 Sensor 36532-p2e-a01 $250.00, 103.14

I did find some aftermarket prices noted after the honda factory price (a,b).

I also talked with the parts guy there and he mentioned that in severe weather climates, the manifolds were being replaced from time to time because of a stress point which would crack due to the sudden temperature changes (New England Weather).

So,

What should I do?

1. Get it done at Honda?
2. Buy the parts and find someone to put them in? What about emmission standards, etc?
3. Don't fix it at all and get rid of the car, inspection is up in Aug 2005. Muffler needs to be replaced (Installed a GPower Medallion 2.5 years ago, just out of warrantly now, cat-back system)
4. Any other options?

I could take pictures tomorrow and post them if you think that would help.

Thanks.

 

You're a cool nOOb....well written. However, I wouldn't even bother to buy a new manifold from Honda unless you want to keep the car stock. If you don't start researching aftermarket exhaust manifolds to use. They are cheaper (alot cheaper) and torque (always lacking in stock SOHC's) will normally go up.

 

Honestly, you can probally source a mani/cat on here for less than 50 dollars shipped. If I hadn't been putting my car back to stock I'd have sold you mine.

Those prices they quoted you at are just rape. You could upgrade to a brand new DC sports header, keep your 02 sensors, make an extension (so the bottom one will reach), get a catalytic converter welded in downstream and be good to go.

Hell, you could replace the whole exhaust with a KTeller setup as well as the header and probally get 2 new 02 sensors for about what they're asking for the exhaust manifold.

IMHO, don't pay it. That's rediculous. 165 dollars for a cat heat shield? You do know that if you feel like you HAVE to keep yours, you can unbolt it and reuse it. It'll take you all of 20 minutes if the bolts are rusted on there.

 

he may not have a heat shield on his mani hence why it cracked...

find used parts...

or go after market header / cat

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris c &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">he may not have a heat shield on his mani hence why it cracked...

find used parts...

or go after market header / cat </TD></TR></TABLE>

How is lack of a heat shield that is designed to keep heat off of other things going to cause your mani to crack?

 

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

How is lack of a heat shield that is designed to keep heat off of other things going to cause your mani to crack?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's designed to slow the cooling process of the manifold [to keep heat in]...

 

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

How is lack of a heat shield that is designed to keep heat off of other things going to cause your mani to crack?</TD></TR></TABLE>
There is another thread about this somewhere down there....but the same happened to me a while back.

 

You can probably eBay everything for less than $120. Except for the o2 sensors, I dont know how much the typical price is on there.

I would never pay for anything from the dealer, especially when I can get them elsewhere online. There are even dealers that sell oem honda parts on ebay. I would either search junkyards, or purchase it other than the dealer.

 

I want to go the aftermarket route if possible. So how do I do this?

I would need a new header, new cat converter, and connect it to the Tanabe GPower Medallion CatBack System - B pipe and muffler - or are you saying change the whole lot, header, cat, exhaust? prolly the same price huh.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ricey McRicerton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honestly, you can probally source a mani/cat on here for less than 50 dollars shipped. If I hadn't been putting my car back to stock I'd have sold you mine.

Those prices they quoted you at are just rape. You could upgrade to a brand new DC sports header, keep your 02 sensors, make an extension (so the bottom one will reach), get a catalytic converter welded in downstream and be good to go.

Hell, you could replace the whole exhaust with a KTeller setup as well as the header and probally get 2 new 02 sensors for about what they're asking for the exhaust manifold.

IMHO, don't pay it. That's rediculous. 165 dollars for a cat heat shield? You do know that if you feel like you HAVE to keep yours, you can unbolt it and reuse it. It'll take you all of 20 minutes if the bolts are rusted on there.</TD></TR></TABLE>
this way

 

Yeah..

Never heard of KTeller - any good?

 

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

Never heard of KTeller - any good?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have seen pics....but if Ricey recommends him he is good.

 

KTeller is a person? okay.. I will search this forum.

Thanks everyone - also anyone recommend an installer north of Boston?

 

https://honda-tech.com/zero...01111

Kteller8. He sells kits with piping to make new exhausts. He's a good guy and gets the from me big time.