You know... I want to get them installed just to see the results of the full stillen setup....also chances are that the tuning will benefit a lot from the headers....

I already stated how much driving I did after the header installation in a previous reply to RCZ (see pg 2), and the afr is shown on the first Dyno Dynamics sheet from this morning. I did not wrap the headers to cure whatever you said about catalyst warm up time. I wrapped the headers to increase their efficiency and reduce heat in the engine bay. I've used parts from both Stillen and JWT, and IMO they both make quality parts.

Looks like you're making great power with just the typical bolt-ons.

I'm sure you'll make better gains with the headers on after a tune than without them.

Did you guys chuckle a little too or was it just plain annoying? It was both for me.

both

no thats not it.

easy there. since when are hondas cheap? cheap in what way? stop generalizing; thats what ricers do. as enthusiasts, learn to respect other cars for the credit they deserve.

+1

Back in my Mustang days, gains from long tube headers were not realized until the car was retuned for them. Granted, you did get some power from bolting them on, but a tune really woke them up. Now, the Stillen units are not what I call long tubes, but they are equal length at least.

When tunes become available, I believe we will see more gains.

I like it. I'd prefer the exhaust to be a little throatier sounding, but it's not bad as it is. It stays quiet until you step on it. I suspect that most people think this is actually a good thing, but I guess I'd just like a little louder all throughout the band. It was throatier sounding and louder in the low to mid range with the stock headers. I'm eager to get a dyno tune though. I suspect that as much gain as the car as made, there's still a good chunk of untapped potential. The UD pulley goes on next, then a tune.

I'm not sure I'd call piggyback units a 'hack job'. I think it just depends on the quality of the unit. I do prefer ECU reflashes though. They just seem 'cleaner' to me, if that makes any sense. But ECU tuning is definitely not my area of expertise. In fact, looking at the AFR data, I noticed that the line slopes downward as rpm increases. Does that mean it's getting leaner as rpm climbs? Or richer?

Getting richer.

Sharif used a sniffer in the tailpipe.

Semtex, these results do not surprise me in the least. They are very similar to my own experiences.

My revup had the oil consumption issue, and was replaced under warranty. While the engine was out, I bought some headers, and the dealer agreed to put them on for me while the engine was out of the car - for free. After breaking in the new motor, I was surprised that I didn't notice any gain(seat of the pants).

I then dynod, and even with the headers, the new motor was making ~10hp/10tq less throughout the whole rpm range versus my old motor. It took the utec and a tune to regain the lost power.

I don't know if it was just a difference in motors, or the addition of the headers, but the headers definitely hurt the driving experience of the car. I don't care for the sound(and I have test pipes). I lost quite a bit of low-end torque, and that combined with my lightweight flyweel, really took the balls out of the car. I'm just glad I didn't spend any time or money on the installation.

Sadly headers on the 3.5L since the HR came out has been a waste of money as the stock ones are already pretty efficient. I wasn't expecting to see much gain at all. Dynojets are the ones to believe over the other dynos as they are the most accurate.

Well, I think the real question is what happens when tuning enters the equation. Would I make more power with the stock headers and a tune? Or with the Stillen headers and a tune? Tuning could change everything. There could be gains to be had from tuning with the Stillen headers installed that would not be available otherwise (i.e., with the stock headers).