Ebay Headers????

[JDM_H22_SLEEPER]

Are the headers they sell on Ebay, C.A.R.B LEGAL?? Because I see a lot of them for like $40-50 that "LOOK" legit. But will there be any problems if I get it, with a high flow cat, vs Smog inspection? My OEM H22a exhaust manifold & the piping are leaking. So i'm not getting a clean flow, and with the leak, it sucks on acceleration sometimes.

[accordingly811]

the headers that are sold on ebay, the cheap ones, are not carb legal. there are specific tests the items must go through to be given the exemption and then they are given a sticker or marking i believe. i think the cheapest carb legal right now is dc sports. but i would look into it.

[royalaccord92]

On most of them your best assuming if they don't say so they're not. If you see a set you really like send the seller a message and ask.

[ExplodingCake]

They're cheap because:

- Cheap material
- Almost no R&D
- Not branded
- Garbage

[deevergote]

Much of the cost associated with expensive headers is the CARB exemption.

REAL performance headers will often cost over $1000.

[JDM_H22_SLEEPER]

Ohhhhh! Alrightie. Yeah I don't want a sh*tty ass header that'll crack or w/e. So I WILL look into getting the DC SPORTS then Thanks everyone! btw where can I get a CB7TUNER.COM sticker?

& ALSO...before I forget...the headers/cats have to be for a 92-96 Prelude VTEC right? AND the catback exhaust including piping have to be for 92-93 Honda Accord LX/EX?

[Tippey764]

If your header/downpipe is rusted out its really not a bad option

[deevergote]

If your header/downpipe is rusted out its really not a bad option

Aside from the fact that a header without a CARB exemption label is illegal in California.

[JDM_H22_SLEEPER]

Yeah I want to go legit with C.A.R.B legal. I don't want to get pulled over, or fail smog.

I mentioned in my reply above, but I guess I posted it a LITTLE bit late before members replied.

headers/cats = 92-96 Honda Prelude VTEC, correct?
AND
catback exhaust = 92-93 Honda Accord LX/EX, correct?

just want to make sure I got the info correct. would you guys just bolt it on? or would you go ahead and weld it?

[deevergote]

You only have one header. In addition, the DC Sports header really won't do very much for you. The CARB legal headers don't offer very much performance over the stock H22 parts. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

Header = H22
Everything else = Accord (or universal based on your exhaust diameter)

[JDM_H22_SLEEPER]

You only have one header. In addition, the DC Sports header really won't do very much for you. The CARB legal headers don't offer very much performance over the stock H22 parts. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

Header = H22
Everything else = Accord (or universal based on your exhaust diameter)

Oh yeah sorry, "header" haha

Ohhh well I just got the OEM H22a header and we bolted the downpipe to the Accord piping and I guess since we didn't put a insulated flange in between. it leaks.

Oh I know I just think that if I get an exhaust might as well get a header too! And I just want better airflow, although the alternative would be is to, keep the OEM header, and just ask a muffler shop to weld the downpipe end to the accord piping end.

[GsPaDeZ]

Oh yeah sorry, "header" haha

Ohhh well I just got the OEM H22a header and we bolted the downpipe to the Accord piping and I guess since we didn't put a insulated flange in between. it leaks.

Oh I know I just think that if I get an exhaust might as well get a header too! And I just want better airflow, although the alternative would be is to, keep the OEM header, and just ask a muffler shop to weld the downpipe end to the accord piping end.

What ur talkin bout Doing at the shop is straight piping.. Not a ba option either... Unless someone care to share the pros n cons for us learners?!!! And you can also check into weapon r header applications along with their intake system brands work best together vs the mix match parts.. Just my opinion

[JDM_H22_SLEEPER]

What ur talkin bout Doing at the shop is straight piping.. Not a ba option either... Unless someone care to share the pros n cons for us learners?!!! And you can also check into weapon r header applications along with their intake system brands work best together vs the mix match parts.. Just my opinion

Yeah straight piping option. there we go! good lookin out!

But I always felt as if straight pipe just makes the car louder. I'm wanting to keep it low pro. That's why I was thinking DC SPORTS Ceramic 4-2-1 header with the Apexi WS2 catback

[deevergote]

Straight piping is not an option in CA if you're concerned about being legal. You WILL fail any emissions testing, and any cop that looks under your car will at best give you a "fix it" ticket... at worst, he could impound your car for illegal modifications.

As I said before, no inexpensive header is going to give you worthwhile gains. Cheap-ass Weapon R won't be CARB legal, and they're a garbage brand anyway. For the $400-$500 CARB legal headers, you're paying for the CARB exemption... not any significant performance engineering.

If you want to risk having a header that isn't CARB legal, get one from Bisimoto, SMSP, Hytech, or Mugen. Big bucks, but you'll actually see gains. Otherwise, don't bother... unless you just want something pretty under the hood.

[Hann1ba1]

I must say, over the past few years I think weapon R has come a long way. still total ricer brand, however, the "secret weapon" sri is a very high quality piece imo better than aem v2. granted an intake is just an intake and is always going to be only that, but I'd say for the dollar its pretty decent. I dont believe weapon R even makes headers for us anyways...except for 97-01 preludes and they actually look about midrange compared to the ebay brands and bisi...