I am close to getting a header to complete my exhaust.

I am looking for a 4:2:1 header and found the RK Sports header.

Gains on the lows and mids torque wise is what I want.

I hear Stan's header throws codes.

Does the RK Sports header throw codes?

Is there a better header for what I want?

Or is there one comparable and less than $450?

Thanks guys!


2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/4 inch down-pipe, a ported LSJ manifold, E-bay strut brace, and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

PACESETTER!!!! FTW!!!!

i have the rk ones and i only have two issues. they are stupid really. one when installed its hard as s&*t to bolt the center bolts for the 4-2 section. and the sensor hole is located lower down then stock so it will need extension. im all and all happy with performance and looks.

I have the Stans and the only problem I have is the exaust leaking. Well that and it didn't have the EGR port, which throws a code. I have not had any other problems with it. I never heard of anyone getting a code other than the EGR getting blocked off.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BBP-03-04-CHEVY-CAVALIER-2-2-4-2-1-EXHAUST-HEADER_W0QQitemZ180286294552QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33631QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I seen that one earlier while looking on ebay at things. I googled the name to see what i could find out about them.. But i think the honda guys said they were descent quality and such but i don't know about are cars. Since that seems cheap for the design.. Maybe someone could comment about it.

Quote:

I seen that one earlier while looking on ebay at things. I googled the name to see what i could find out about them.. But i think the honda guys said they were descent quality and such but i don't know about are cars. Since that seems cheap for the design.. Maybe someone could comment about it.

I worry about those $80 headers, I want something that will last at least 5 years or more.
I hear people talk about them having thin stainless steel with cheap welds.
I know that for the price I could buy a few of them instead of one solid header, and cost less, hmmm.
It is a tough decision, as I really could have one for a back-up and still be in it for much less.

Quote:

i have the rk ones and i only have two issues. they are stupid really. one when installed its hard as s&*t to bolt the center bolts for the 4-2 section. and the sensor hole is located lower down then stock so it will need extension. im all and all happy with performance and looks.

Where do I get an 02 sensor extension?

Did you need to get better gaskets?

Any codes at all since it was installed?


2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/4 inch down-pipe, a ported LSJ manifold, E-bay strut brace, and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

Used the gaskets that came with them and they are fine. my sensor im gonna cut the wires(4 i belive) and just extend it 6inches so it will plug back in to the harness. as far as codes since i didnt connect my 02 sensor yet(cn as it needs exten) i tripped my check engine and trac off/low lights on my dash. no biggie tho i had my friend run a scan and it was showing the sensors unplugged will know def this weekend i will have time to modifiey the 02 sensor and plug it in and 99% sure my code will disappear. we did a nother eco and it was fine 1 1/2 yrs now.

that ebay header looks just like the tsudo header I got, nothing wrong with the welds they were perfect, its the flanges you have to worry abour being warped, nothing a grinder/ file and some copper rtv and locktite on the bolts didn't fix,

it was quite a bit of work though

fyi the 4-2 section is usually the worst part on these headers and it CAN be welded before putting it in the car you just have to:
get the car on a lift,
take offthe engine mounts ( I did NOT have to remove the trans. mounts) and use a jack to help position the engine JUST right
cut the ecu firewall bolt down a little, (theres no need for it to be so long anyways)
bend the metal up where the weather stripping is where the header hits the firewallas you try to install it, and then bend it back once installed,

I was able to get this style header in to position with the 4 and 2 sections bolted up to know if i could have it welded first

you cannot weld the final extention before putting on the car however, it just wont go, but people dont usually have trouble with this part sealing.

i tried this just in case I couldnt get the 4-2 section to seal properly so i knew that if i needed i could take it out have a shop weld it, and get it back in to have no worries, luckily what i have done has held up for me just fine so far, but if it ever goes you can bet I will be doing this.

I like mine.
No codes, improved feel, beautiful sound.
The ONLY thing I did was add a 4-wire 02 sensor, just because it took too long to heat up the 2-wire sensor.




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Besides worrying about the flange on the cheaper headers, do I really have to take off the engine mounts, get a lift and mess with the firewall?

Is there a 4:2:1 header that doesn't require all of that to install?


2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/4 inch down-pipe, a ported LSJ manifold, E-bay strut brace, and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

i wasn't recommending the header i was just throwing it out there. Quality would be my main concern with the ebay one. And i think they mean if you weld the 2nd piece of pipe to the flange instead of using bolts/gasket you would have to do that in order to get it in as one assembly.

Mr.Goodwrench-G.T. wrote:I like mine.
No codes, improved feel, beautiful sound.
The ONLY thing I did was add a 4-wire 02 sensor, just because it took too long to heat up the 2-wire sensor.

how do you know it took to long? did you have a heat gauge or something? anyways.. why is it bad it takes to long to heat up?

which header do you have?



Fall 08 Omaha/western Iowa area meet...CLICK ME!

It would not go into closed loop quick enough. So my throttle would hesitate the first 5-10 mins upon a cold start.
I have the RKS.



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

Ok, I finally decided, and the decision was based off of price and input here.

I figure this, the header on E-bay is $77+$43 shipping.
I paid $120 for it and pray the flange is flush and the welds are good.
If not, I found that I can have it machined flush for $85.

The RK Sports header sounds like a better overall quality, but at $450 plus $43 shipping I can get over 4 of these cheaper ones shipped to me and some change.

A local speed shop quoted my $85 per hour to install the header and they said they only take an hour usually.
If I need the extended 02 sensor wire, they can make the modification and it wont cost much.

The run down:

Basically, I went ahead and bought the E-bay 4-2-1 header, and hope for the best.

Even if it comes in with some needs, it will still be a lot less money than the RK Sport model.

Both the E-bay and RK Sports header looks like I will need the O2 sensor wires lengthened.

If it this header literally falls apart, I could buy 3 more and still be in it for less money.

I am finally done with the engine bolt-ons.

Next is a set of cams then HP tuners.

After this, I am getting a rear strut brace, then the stainless steel brake lines, then a set of light weight rims with an offset for a wider stance, then I want Koni struts and shocks.

I am going all motor, anyone suggest a good set of cams for an automatic with the list of mods I have?
I don't want to redline the car and I want mostly low and mid range power.

Thanks!


2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/4 inch down-pipe, a ported LSJ manifold, E-bay strut brace, and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

if you are extending the wires anyway. I would suggest going with a heated sensor. Like Mr goodwrench said, youre going to have hesitation because the O2 is too far from the head.

i did not have to lengthen the 02 wires on mine like everyone else, lucky me i guess. Good luck with the header, and yes you only need to have it welded if you cant get the 4-2 pieces to seal, it not necessary, but would be nice so you would have no worries in the future, but its more work to get it in there welded thats for sure.

Thank you for the info guys.

Where do I get the heated sensor from?

Thanks!


2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/4 inch down-pipe, a ported LSJ manifold, E-bay strut brace, and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

How can I find out if this header is Carb Exempt?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330269971283

It looks the same as an RK Sport header, I would assume it puts out the same emmissions.


2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/2 inch down-pipe, a 4:2:1 RK Sports 'clone' header, E-bay strut brace, ground wire kit and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

The only header for J's that is CARB legal are the Pacesetters.

I checked RK Sport's header and they are too.

I didn't want a 4:1 header though.

If they are not exempt, do you think they are pending?



2003 Sunfire with 2 1/4 inch turbo muffler, 2 1/4 piping, 2 1/2 inch resonator, a 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter, 2 1/2 inch down-pipe, a 4:2:1 RK Sports 'clone' header, E-bay strut brace, ground wire kit and an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition.

If it is CARB exempt, there should be a TAG on it somewhere with the CARB number and so forth...


If you go with the Pacesetter, you WILL NOT be dissapointed.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, September 19, 2008 12:52 PM

RKS will never CARB a part, it costs too damn much. They are not CARB legal and they will 99% never be legal. I can almost say, with certainty, that no ebay knock off header will ever be CARB legal either.