Need help choosing a Header/Downpipe

[Honda Power]

I have looked on ebay a little but IDK.
Has anyone bought a header/downpipe from ebay and was it worth it?
If so who was the seller?

Anyway I have to get a new header/downpipe soon mine is cracked.
I dont want a stock header/downpipe because I have a Flowmaster super 44 series muffler and plain on getting a test pipe or welding a fatter pipe where the cat use to be. Any Ideals on a good place to go or what kinds to look for would be great.

Also I dont want to spend more than $200 on the header/downpipe

[ON_N20]

Back before I had the turbo on my car, I was N/A with nitrous, and I used a stainless 4-2-1 header that I bought off Ebay. I cant remember who the seller was though. That header was great, it was constructed very well, had thick flanges and tubing, and flowed very nicely. I dont think I even paid all that much for it. In my opinion a name-brand header is a waste of money unless your real serious about going N/A in which a Bisi header might be your best choice. Just a lesser priced header like some that you can buy off Ebay are generally pretty good.

Usually my rule of thumb when shopping on Ebay is to only buy from someone with good feedback, is from the USA, and can actually spell every word right on the page- consequently the product is usally quite good then. If they're page reads: big JDM headerz for every make / model honda makez ur car run like it has NOS, and their location is like Hong Kong, then stay away .

Of course their are other "name-brand" companies out there like DC Sports and what not that arent too badly priced and their products are backed with research and stuff, but I had good luck with my cheapy header so I was happy

[xaaronx]

if you don't want to take chances on no-name brands off ebay, you can usually find the Megan 4-2-1 for ~$150. i paid $150 shipped for mine. granted, Megan isn't the best name, it's much less likely to crack or have welds break than some stuff off of ebay.

last junk yard trip i made i saw a CB7 with a no-name header and tons of welds on it where it was probably leaking/breaking/cracking.

[Ander]

f22a4 header. Just as good if not better than no-name eBay junk/Megan/DC etc etc.

[Superfly]

f22a4 header. Just as good if not better than no-name eBay junk/Megan/DC etc etc.

Not better. Almost as good as. A DC will still get you 2-4 peak HP more than the A4 manifold.

I know... not all that much more... but if you look where those higher numbers start and stop on a dyno vs an A4 manifold... you would understand that it is not better. Or even as good as.

[kantkillkeenan]

ill have my A4 header up for sale soon...H22 goin in and the bisi is on order

[Shag Wagon]

I bought a Ractive header a year and half ago and I havent had any leaks or cranks yet. Unfortunately they are discontinued. And that bastard fit 99% perfect.


And all the ebay headers I have purchased have leaked like hell and cracked. Nothing pisses me off more than a fucking leaking downpipe gasket. Get an A4 header for now, and save your money for a bisi one or some other name brand. I can promise you wont be disappointed with a Bisi header. Just dont waste your money on ebay crap.

[Ander]

Not better. Almost as good as. A DC will still get you 2-4 peak HP more than the A4 manifold.

I know... not all that much more... but if you look where those higher numbers start and stop on a dyno vs an A4 manifold... you would understand that it is not better. Or even as good as.

I'd give up an unnoticeable amount of HP for something I know is a quality part. To me that's better.

[91hondaaccordlx]

i would say a dc 4 2 1 but there around 310 new. i got lucky and got mine for a legend coupe lip. but i was just gonna do an ebay one, a buddy has one and he likes it, but its your call. ive heard megans are nice, and same with the stock a4, but a header from ebay is juat a header no matter the seller, lots of companys on ebay sel the same header, atleast that ive noticed.

i did notice exhaust sound changed from the a1 header to the dc, it also go quiter for some reason, but more ricey when i put the pedal t the floor. also i have an ebay oval can too

[YK86]

I've tried a few headers on my own car plus installed a bunch on other CB's but DC was the best quality hands down. Nice welds, the flanges have the recessed rings cut out for oem style o-ring gaskets, and fitment is excellent.

Megan and the no name brand stainless headers I feel are ok for the price....but the gaskets are junk (save yourself the headache and buy a Hedman gasket as they will blow, part #27180). Also, unlike the DC which has the #1 cylinder pipe cross over to #4 giving you clearance, they cross the #4 tube over to #1 making it harder to install as the AC hose hit the #1 pipe when trying to put it in. Also, the no name stainless header I tried before started rusting after 6 months. So much for stainless.

EDIT:Forgot to mention the no name one also had holes that were way to big on the head to manifold flange. So I had to trace an outline of where the flange should line up relative to the ports on the gasket. It's like they drilled holes where ever and made it big so it wouldn't have problems fitting.

[Shag Wagon]

The reason why those DP gaskets blow is due to uneven flanges. You have to get them milled perfectly flat in order for the gaskets to work right.

[Losiracer2]

yeah I'd have to agree. I had my ceramic DC 4-2-1 header on my F22 for about 4 yrs and was wrapped w/ heat tape for about 2 yrs and had NO issues w/ it whatsoever. I even reused the O-ring gaskets for the header/DP and it still sealed perfectly. Got mine for 225 shipped new though.

If you get an A4 manifold, make sure nothing's cracked on it. It is an OLD part you're putting on, and things tend to break when they get to be 18+ yrs old.

If it were me, I'd get the DC b/c its a new part and is of pretty good quality.