the ceramic heat thing isn't really to keep the heat out of the engine bay. It's to keep the temperature up within the exhaust stream resulting in a lower gas density and a higher velocity. I have SS and I wrapped them and heat painted them, but the wrap is kinda falling apart. I lost the wrap from the down pipes a looooong time ago.

 

also, you are usually paying more for a name brand to get the CARB approved sticker.

 

thanks for the info guys. Ill have to look into the OBX and megan headers. Going off the tread subject but what about Pacesetter?, theyhave a cheaper price and seem good quality but all headers look good. does anyone have any opinions or personal experiences with these headers? What about headers that give good low end hp andtourque? I was reading most or all headers give hp and tourgue for more of the upper rpms but i havent read anything about the lower rpms.

 

I like their cat-backs, but I don't know about their headers. As for cat-backs, they are quieter than most performance style systems but at the cost of less gains. It all depends on what you want. If you have a 4 cylinder accord, I'd recommend that you leave the stock manifold on there.

 

Agreed, however, neither OBX nor Megan are CARB approved. That's why they are under $200 whereas carb approved headers like DC sportsare more like between $300 -$400.

 

basically everything ppl said is correct.

ceramic=dissapate more heat and can withstand more heat.

tho, it takes longer to cool and if water touches it... it cracks and there goes you're headeres.
Stainless gets hotter, generally won't rust. well not that i know of but i heard ceramic has a lot more advantges performance wise

 

Thats why those headers are soo much more. i didnt know that. As of being a newbie i dont know alot of things. Ill have to look into the CARB requirements for Illinois to see if i can get the OBX or Megan headers. I take it ill have to look for an exhaust with a CARB sticker on it too?

 

I thought Cal was the only state that required CARB stickers, but I could be wrong. How thorough are the vehicle inspections in Illinois?

 

Me n falkore were kinda talking about that the other day.
I was under the impression that other states were adopting CARB requirements, where he was understanding that there's a more nation-wide approach being considered.

 

IMO CARB requirements are utter BS. I guarantee you there is nothing different in the manufacture of DC sports headers or Megan Headers. DC Sports just pays the government to be allowed to put a CARB sticker on there, so they in turn charge twice as much for thier headers. Just another way the government is leeching money away from us.