I purchased this header and flexpipe because of it's price compared to a flex pipe replacement with OE parts. The part in of itself isn't too bad, and I'll try and run it down as fairly as I can. This was installed on a 2001 Honda Accord EX, originally equipped with a F23A4 (ULEV), with a Japanese F23a longblock.
TLDR: Don't buy it for performance. Don't expect top shelf quality. Poor installation hardware. Short flexpipe that will fail on you given enough time. Good replacement compared to OE.
The packaging of the parts was poor; it received some scratches, one of the gaskets was severely creased, and one of the bolts was missing. The included hardware is M10 x 1.25 class 8.8 (approximately SAE grade 5) and are most likely going to fail if you do not upgrade your bolts. I would recommend spending a little extra and getting class 10.9 bolts and using high temperature (white) threadlocker.
The black coating appears to be a dip in ceramic based paint and is very similar to the paint you'd use to paint your calipers. You should expect the paint to be easily scratched off. The header is dipped with the plugs in, and when removed it was full with rust (pictured). That would suggest that either the header, or the plug, or both are not made of any decent stainless. You should definitely invest in some anti-seize lubricant when installing the O2 sensor. Considering the vehicle application, you likely have a 4-wire sensor with a ground wire, so don't let anyone tell you not to lubricate the threads.
The flanges are of nice thickness, though the flange mating to the engine is a little narrower (albeit, not by much) than OE. The welds weren't too horrible, but were definitely rushed and not something to be proud of. The flex pipe is shorter than OE, and this could be a problem. Upon installation, you'll notice that it bends quite a bit for such a short portion of flex pipe (pictured). The set also did not include the flange that would secure the flex pipe to the engine. I would expect the flex pipe to be the major mode of failure for these.
Installation was chore compared to using OE parts, but this is aftermarket, hence you should expect such. Where the header and flex meet is very close to my K-frame. I chose to let the header sit on top of the hoses and motor mount, fasten the header to the flex, and then mate the header to the engine. The rubber hanger needed to be removed, installed on the flex, then lifted into position with a floor jack to finish installation. If you are questioning if you can do this yourself, you probably can't. Exhaust work generally requires some specialized tools and on old cars like these, an oxy-acetylene torch. However, if you have a jack, a pair of jackstands, a good socket set and impact tools, and a spare car (for that last minute taking-the-entire-downstream-exhaust-to-a-shop-because-someone-welded-the-flex-pipe-to-the-cat), I would strongly recommend that you try your hand at it.
Car is still temporarily out of commission, so I cannot comment of any performance gains. However, you have an F23a Accord, performance gains are somewhat limited. From afar, the header looks nice, and definitely better than a rusted heatshield. Gets a 4/5 because quality compared to price is beyond decent.
The accordion is the weak part of this collector, but for the price, I can’t argue too much. I dinged it 1 star for the o2 sensor bung inconsistentcies. The first one was in a location that stretched the o2 sensor cable. The second was perfect, and the 3rd had weld blocking the o2 sensor from being installed. I have to get an M18 tap to clean it up and that may not work.
Just in case you are wondering why I have bought 3 in 6 years, I bottom out the vehicle occasionally. That is very hard on the exhaust structure. The first one lasted 4 years until the accordion failed. The second one lasted 2 because the weld for the hanger failed.
These headers are phenomenal! Super cheap sound really good I haven't had any problems with the flex pipe at all the only reason why I think other people have is because the flex pipe hangs slightly lower than the rest of the vehicle if you go over a bump too fast you will rip open the flex pipe but that is not the headers problem that is user error. Gaskets work great just make sure before you tighten them onto the block that you tighten everything else otherwise it's kind of hard to get the Bults
Ordered these and they shipped faster than the date I was given. As soon as I installed I noticed the sound difference even from idle. Upon acceleration and testing in Mexico I did notice a slight increase of power and I New curve on my rpm range I give these five stars for the price and it being a good product so far.
(Note: I do have other modifications that benefited from this product, your car will be different)
Low cost earns it 4 stars but it does have issues: alignment wasn’t perfect for my slightly lowered Accord with magnaflo cat-back, stressing flex pipe quite a bit. Also, flanges between header and y-pipe are thinner so they bent when y-pipe touched the ground over a dip in the road. This caused gasket to blow out - better gaskets than what came with it might have helped. Now I have to cut and weld and replace gaskets and flex pipe, but that’s modifying for you! Oh, and do get some better stainless hardware for it.
Feature Product
- Made of High Quality T-304 Stainless Steel with Computerized Mandrel-Bends for Strength and Durability
- 4-2-1 High Performance Racing Spec. Design / TIG Welded CNC Machine Flange
- Flex Pipe Insertion for Flexibility and Extra Durability / O2 Sensor Bung Insertion and Metal Gasket Included
- Increase High Flow Air, Instantly Gain 10 -15 Hp. / Tq. / 1.75" Inlet / 2" Outlet
- Fits 98-02 Honda Accord 2.3L l4 (Professional Installer is Highly Recommended, No Instruction Included)
Description
The exhaust manifold found on the 1998-2002 Honda Accord DOHC 4 Cylinder Engine were designed to combine the exhaust gasses from each of the cylinders quickly with a manifold that was cost effective to produce. Our 4-2-1 off-road racing headers are designed to allow the exhaust gasses to flow more freely from each cylinder and combine in a more efficient manner. Tubing has been optimized for the 2.3L engine. This creates a reduction in cylinder backpressure and improved exhaust gas velocity. These improvements free up lost horsepower and torque. An added benefit is a more performance oriented exhaust sound.
Package Included:
Compatible with:
I bought this along with the high flow cat for my 2000 Honda Accord. They look great and fit great. The only problem that wasn’t that big of a deal is the hanger doesn’t quite fit like it should but it still fit up.
Great product and perfect fit
Perfect fit for my 2002 Honda Accord SE easy install love it. There's even a whistle to the exhaust now no leaks i checks everything 3 times doesn't sound bad I like it
Creat
Bolts right up works great and on time
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