Whats up everyone, so I just received my OBX headers and my OEM gaskets and I'm going to get them installed sometime this week and I was reading somewhere on the Org that some have either or both powder-coated/warped their headers and just wanted to know if that's a good idea to do? Another question has anyone every got a harmful (toxic exhaust) smell coming from their car after installing headers b/c removing all cats? The reason I ask is b/c thats what happened to my friends 94 accord when we installed headers and after he got a precat installed the smell went away and I don't want that to happen to me. Any ideas/help would be great on if I should powder-coat/warp my headers before I get them installed and if there is a smell after installing headers.

Thxs
Jerseyboy

 

I cannot speak for powdercoating or wrapping them, but as long as you keep the main cat on, the smell should be minimal or not there.

 

I got a Cali Spec Max so whats my options on the main cat do I just leave that last precat on or what? Will everything bolt on meaning the y-pipe and the last precat?

 

Main cat under the car. Options range from Fastcat to magnaflow.

 

Where can I get one from?

 

How do these cats fare against the emissions machines?

 

As long as the car is up to operating temp, just fine. Pre-cats are nestled close to the engine to help cold stat emissions and, IMO, do next to nothing for emissions once the car is warmed up (aside from rob power).


For magnaflow I would look at Summit or Jegs, for Fastcat, call Brian Catts (Cattman).

I personally would rather have a test pipe for a little added power.

 

Now installing a test pipe isn't going to be giving me a toxic exhaust smell right or should I just install a magnaflow or fastcat and call it a day?

 

I don't have any toxic exhaust smells from mine. Maybe your friend had an exhaust leak.

 

Even with a cat, you're going to have that lean smell.... Could range from burnt paper to rotten eggs.... It's a combustion vehicle, there are going to be gasses emitted and those gasses smell.... If you want a car that doesn't smell at all, get a hyrbid or electric car.

Hell our '08 Accord LX ranges from rich to lean smells it's a ULEV-II vehicle stock as hell (minus the nissan rims on it), it's not any better than my car with a high flow cat and 3" catback...

 

Now whats the difference between a test pipe and a magnaflow or fastcat? NmexMax when he installed a cat on his Honda the smell went away from what I remember my boy did say he had a small leak just cant remember if he fixed it at the same time when he got a cat installed. Aackshun once in a while I get that burnt paper to rotten egg smell with stock headers and precats but its not that bad it goes away after a minute tops. I'm just curious if it'll be really bad if I install my Obx headers and either a test pipe, magnaflow, or fastcat.

 

A test pipe is just that, a pipe with nothing inside. A mangnaflow cat and fastcat are actually cat converters.

 

Thanks TallTom

 

Any ideas if I should powdercoat/ warp the headers?

 

I am still quite unclear to what your concern is... You want your car to not have any noxious odors coming from it? So if someone stands around your car for an extended period of time, while it's on and parked... you do not want them to notice?

Is that your final goal?

Why do you want to mod your car in the first place? Why did you buy the headers? What was your intention with them?

The reason why I ask because people who mod their cars this is usually never a concern...

Also while the headers are out, get OEM nissan gaskets, and replace the flex section.... My gaskets haven't failed yet, but my flex pipe has less than 8 months after installation.


Ehhhhh not quite, you can see some light at the end of the tunnel on a HFC, stock cats... NO LIGHT, just darkness inside (DARKNESSESSS)

What is your ultimate goal for Ceramic Coating/Wrapping the headers?

 

Sulfur comes from catalytic converters, so the rotten eggs will not be an issue.

I think he means it will smell like it does now if you don't have any exhaust leaks.

 

I was saying, the car is going to SMELL like something while it's running, I shudda rephrased it....

No matter what he does, unless he drives an electric car, you're going to smell fumes....

 

My car doesnt really give a smell only once in a blue moon everything stock except for the Greddy Evo 2. exhaust. My concern is, is it going to smell a whole lot more where it's going to be a problem health wise than having the stock cats meaning bank 1&2 and the main cat? Installing performance headers and let's say either a test pipe or a magnaflow will it be the same or will it be giving a lot more of a smell. Regardless I'm still going to install my headers just trying to find a better way or solution to decrease the smell to a minimal. About powdercoating/warping the headers is it best to do it or just leave it the way it is?

 

So.... You're worried about noxious fumes entering your cabin because of a header install?

If that's the case... Read my previous post... Buy OEM gasksets and have a shop re-do the flex pipe with a better one and you're good to go.

I just want to get this straight....

Why do you want to Coat/Wrap your headers???

There are reasons and benefits.... to Coating/Wrapping them, it's to keep the exhaust gas at a hotter temperature, which helps the scavenging effect which increases power...

 

I'm fully catless with my OBX Headers and a test pipe. The smell is a lot stronger when its hot outside like above 85F. When I first put them on almost three years ago they made my eyes water if I was behind the car. Doesn't bother me at all now. I've had cops along side of me and behind me and it's pretty obvious I don't have cats on it. Never heard a word from any of them.

 

I'm gonna just install the headers with either a magnaflow or a fastcat and probably buy me a test pipe down the road just to try it out. I really don't care if the car gives a smell coming from the back b/c I ain't gonna be standing behind the max looking for a smell lol as long as it's not coming from inside / underneath the car or can't smell it inside the car I'll be happy. Got kids that ride with me sometimes in the Max and just a worried about their health that's all. Thanks everyone for your input you guys are always helpful

Jerseyboy

 

I got my obx v2 headers on monday. Ill be installing them tonight. But at first glance I gotta say the quality reflects the price. The tubing is such a thin gauge , makes me alittle nervous since I read about a few of the flex's failing. But part of the reason I think its cause there's no hanger mount next to the flex . I'm going to add one hope it helps..

But my cars not worth enough for 900 headers so ill keep my fingers crossed with the obx v2..

 

Thank you, that's what I'm getting at lol.

Replace the flex pipe and buy OEM gaskets and you will not have any cabin odors!!!

 

I already bought some OEM gaskets from DaveB. Hey aackshun what do you mean by replace the flex pipe the one that comes with the Obx headers is not good??? Plz do explain on how to make/get a better flex pipe since I really don't have any knowlege on this topic.

 

Flex pipes are all different. Some breathe more than others. I believe he saying the OBX flex pipe is one of these. You would have to shop for a new, higher quality flex pipe, have the OBX one cut out, and have the new one welded in. Most performance sites sell various types and sizes of flex pipes. Even Amazon.

 

Thanks^^^

 

Word.

 

What is a good performance flex pipe that I can get and where can I get one?

 

Everyone has their opinion. It's best to do your own research and choose for yourself. Start at a reputable site that's been around a long time. Maybe Jeg's? They have a lot of offerings.

 

There's so many to choose from where do I start lol

 

True. The easiest place to start is to find one with the same dimensions. Length and diameter. That should whittle down quite a few candidates.

 

What brands are worth looking at and what are not? What is a good flex pipe brand? I've came across a few such as Pacesetter, Jones, Dynomax, Lawson Indusries, Jegs?