Registered: May 2009
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 6

Got everything out of my 96, but when fitting the new EX header, it is rubbing on the crossmember under the motor. Anyone else run into this issue?

I already "fine tuned" it with a hammer as I did with a Volvo header years ago, but it still a bit tight and I fear hitting/rattles. May ship it off with a buddy to an exhaust shop to have the lower pipe "tweaked".

Thanks.

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Garrett

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Registered: Sep 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 460

I did the ebay header because my stock one was cracked, and it installed easily.
I didn't have your issue, but I will say that I did not attach the lower bolted bracket underneath the car, myy stock downpipe bracket was rusted in half, and once you get all the other bolts tight, there's no need for the lower bracket.

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Registered: May 2009
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 6

That was the same reason for me to replace mine.

I have installed and had headers made to both improve performance and/or replace a broken manifold. None have fit without some sort of modification, etc.

The motor-to-exhaust braket on the downpipe was broken on my Ody also, and has been welded in the past...to break again. Ditto with the small bracket on the block holding the manifold. All of this was broken on a 1998 Ody I previously replaced the manifold. On that one, we used an aftermarket manifold that looked like something cast in our backyard. Sloppy master/sand casting work for sure!

Weak links I guess. I did locate an exhaust shop that can kink the pipe for me supposedly.

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Garrett

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: Grayslake, Il USA
Posts: 166

I finally installed my headers that I bought recently from surewinproducts. I also wanted to replace the front engine mount, but I couldn't break those bolts free, so I'll have my local mechanic install the new mount. At least I could confirm that it is indeed broken.

I have pictures posted on Picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/ghmassa...feat=directlink

The box showed 7lbs shipping weight, I put the old header into the box and weighed it- 20lbs!

What's the consensus on the lower bracket? Mine did not line up, so I left it off. I may go under again next weekend and try to adjust the hanger brackets to reduce the stress on the header. Like Spule, my lower bracket was welded by my mechanic when he replaced my cat converter. But I have no rubbing with the cross member.

Took a short test drive, subtle little buzz. I'll see how it does in traffic this week.

Here's the final result!

Attachment: p1000809b.jpg
This has been downloaded 63 time(s).

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1996 Sebring Silver Isuzu Oasis LS 200,000m
clear corner lights, vent visors, jdm grill and rear spoiler, white taillights
LED turn/brake/interior/gage lights, modified hazard relay
Previous rides:
70 Super Beetle (used)
80 Gold Accord LX (1st gen!)
86 Mazda 626

Last edited by kernel on 10-12-2009 at 02:20 AM

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Registered: Sep 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 460

After a few miles the header will change colors. Looks pretty good after 100+ miles

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: Grayslake, Il USA
Posts: 166

quote:

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Originally posted by yakuza
After a few miles the header will change colors. Looks pretty good after 100+ miles

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Like Hondaguy's photo!

Btw- do these exhaust valves look ok? They're a light gray, the rest of the exhaust port is black. I'm not a mechanic, I just play one on occasional weekends!

Attachment: p1000801a.jpg
This has been downloaded 58 time(s).

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1996 Sebring Silver Isuzu Oasis LS 200,000m
clear corner lights, vent visors, jdm grill and rear spoiler, white taillights
LED turn/brake/interior/gage lights, modified hazard relay
Previous rides:
70 Super Beetle (used)
80 Gold Accord LX (1st gen!)
86 Mazda 626

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Registered: May 2009
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 6

Well, with some heating with a torch, a hammer, and a really hard tweak with a prybar, I got the headers on.

Bought a new doughnut (it didn't fit on the header downpipe all that well either) and now all is quiet....as for a header.

While the headers appear to be durable and "well made", fittment does leave some to be desired. But then, the headers I have installed or had made in my past had similar problems.

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Garrett

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Registered: Apr 2008
Location: Lake Elmo MN
Posts: 188

Make sure there isn't any constant pressure at the springbolt connection. The exhaust hangars can be tweaked to fill any gap you may have.

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1st gen owner and lovin it! Except for my recent stall on the highway.

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: Grayslake, Il USA
Posts: 166

I had to redo my headers. One of the studs connecting the down pipe to the header had stripped when I installed it, and the gasket blew out. Surewin sent me a replacement gasket and stud. I got that re-installed this weekend.
Gee, my new donut doesn't fit too well either, but with the springbolts installed it's quiet too.
This time, I actually got the hanger bracket to fit, but I had to install it diagonally- one bolt to the engine and one bolt on the hanger!

I'm taking the car to a friend's shop to have the exhaust hangers adjusted (and the muffler hanger bracket welded back on). There's too much side to side strain where the cat attaches to the down pipe, and almost an inch gap before the springbolts are put on.

As for the 'fitment issues', keep in mind that these are Accord headers! The only header I had with no install issues was on my '70 Beetle!

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1996 Sebring Silver Isuzu Oasis LS 200,000m
clear corner lights, vent visors, jdm grill and rear spoiler, white taillights
LED turn/brake/interior/gage lights, modified hazard relay
Previous rides:
70 Super Beetle (used)
80 Gold Accord LX (1st gen!)
86 Mazda 626

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: ALL BLUE
Posts: 175

I decided that since the F22 won't stay in my van for much more than a year, that I'd try out a different eBay brand to see if the quality is any different. (If it sucks, I'll chock it up to "taking one for the team".)

Anyways, I've got a '97 Odyssey EX with the typical nasty exhaust leak through my exhaust manifold.

Here's the product I chose to try:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...em=140356766765




When it arrives, I'll comment on installation/quality/fitment/finish/long-term wear.

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*free hugs*
IA '10: Midwest Caravan (Click to join us!)
☺☺☺

1997 Honda Odyssey EX - Black Currant Pearl Clearcoat
2001 Honda Civic EX - Rallye Red

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Registered: Sep 2009
Location: TX
Posts: 460

What is our option for replacing the remainder of the exhaust, after doing the header?
Seems the rest of the piping is rusted beyond repair, and hard to find..

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: ALL BLUE
Posts: 175

quote:

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Originally posted by yakuza
What is our option for replacing the remainder of the exhaust, after doing the header?
Seems the rest of the piping is rusted beyond repair, and hard to find..

---

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*free hugs*
IA '10: Midwest Caravan (Click to join us!)
☺☺☺

1997 Honda Odyssey EX - Black Currant Pearl Clearcoat
2001 Honda Civic EX - Rallye Red

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Registered: Jun 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 34

I just did an ebay header install from Tuning Pros. The header looks pretty good. I reused the original gasket to the head. Everything fit well, but I had the issue with the cross member touching. I just took the cross member off and bent it about half an inch where the header touched. The cat is also a tiny bit off center but fits OK. I am going to do a custom 2.25 cat back soon so that will take care of fitment issues. I also had to fabricate a new bracket for under the engine.

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Registered: Jan 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 54

quote:

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Originally posted by cpoups
I just did an ebay header install from Tuning Pros. The header looks pretty good. I reused the original gasket to the head. Everything fit well, but I had the issue with the cross member touching. I just took the cross member off and bent it about half an inch where the header touched. The cat is also a tiny bit off center but fits OK. I am going to do a custom 2.25 cat back soon so that will take care of fitment issues. I also had to fabricate a new bracket for under the engine.

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Can you please keep us updated on the performance of the header.

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1995 Odyssey EX
2007 Civic Si 4dr
2004 Honda S2000
1991 Acura Legend

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Registered: Apr 2009
Location: Renton, WA
Posts: 134

Well I ended getting the Accord Header from the same place as the OP. Mine was cracked and I could hear it. I was excited to see the end of the header was about a full half of an inch ID bigger than the stock piece.



Here is the crack, it was pretty big.





Here is the difference on size for the main pipes.





I was not exited to see that the primaries on the Ebay header were smaller about .15 if an inch. I decided to open all the primaries up by grinding with my port and polishing carbide bit. I noticed that the flange was not centered to the primaries that meet the flange. I opened them up with a proper gasket match.

Larger OEM primary size



Here is the primary before porting



Here is after porting



The left primary has been ported, the right has not. You can kinda see what a huge ridge there is. You can see my sharpie mark on the right as to how much larger the gasket is. The gasket is about the same size as OEM.




I dont know if this even helped but I figured it made sense to bring them back to OEM size or a little bigger.

Last edited by BracedEunos on 02-20-2010 at 03:34 AM

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