7th Gen - DC Sports 4-2-1 Ceramic

Vehicle: 2002 Civic Ex
Product: DC Sports 4-2-1 2-piece Ceramic coated header
Vendor: www.ptuning.com
Cost: ~$390
Rating: ****

Ok this WOULD have been a 5 star rating if not for the CEL troubles I went through, otherwise this header is unbelievable!!! Noticeable and I mean noticeable gain in the 3.5-5ish rmp range, even on a SOHC this could push you back in your seat. Great header, still haven't found a product to clean it with, have been using Mothers Mag polish but very sparingling and not often.
Installation was a breeze, as long as you could get your stock header off. Some bolts on the stock were rusted so it proved a challenge but actually installing the DC header was simple, its a bolt and go setup.
Highly recommended!!!

how did you fix the CEL when it came on?

Casperelectronics O2 simulator.

is it a race header?

No, normally a race header is a 4-1, this is more a street/strip application.

well what i meant is, does it replace or get of ur catalyst converter?

yes it comes w/ what they call a cat, but really just a test pipe.

Hold it! Hold it! Now I am confused...do you have to get off the primary 02 sensor and put in a 02 sim?
Not good for mpg's:(

No you do NOT TAKE OFF ANY O2 SENSOR. What you do is add an O2 simulator between the O2 sensor and the ECU and NOT the primary, the after-cat O2 sensor. Casperelectronics has a "plug and play" for about $70.

So what you're saying is there are two o2 sensors on these cars, one in the manifold and one after the cat?

And what you had to do was put a simulator in the o2 circuit between the ecu and the after cat o2 sensor? And it's adjustable some how???

Would I need something like that on my '00? And do I need a fancy plug and play if I'm just sticking with I/H/E?

Not adjustable, the simulator sends the ECU the signal it's expecting for normal operating conditions no matter what the O2 sensor is attempting to send to the ECU. If you have a CEL it's the only way I know of to fix it; do you need plug n play... no but it makes it a hell of a lot easier to install and the simulator I suggested above is a quality sensor, you won't be replacing it after a month.

I see... so you need that if your oem sensor is not responding well to the header... Do they all do this?

That would make me nervouse though, completely bypassing the o2 sensor like that. I wouldn't do that without an A/F or EGT gauge.

I think by passing the after cat O2 sensor is only bad if you still have a cat in it. If the test pipe has not catalyst in it there is nothing to fail or clog.

Most headers will do this, an A/F gauge in uneccesary, and if the cat fails, you'll know it. The after-cat O2 sensor does nothing but tell the ECU that there is no problem with the cat. It does not affect your A/F ratio.

Oh ok. Thanks for the info.

i'm actually thinking about getting these headers. and im pretty new to this forum stuff so i dont even know if im allowed to ask questions here but: do the headers come with any other things? do i need to get a new gasket? or nuts and bolts? i have an '03 EX coupe.

This is PRODUCT REVIEW not intake/HEADER/exhaust section... but you can use your factory gasket most of the time

PWNED!

I throw CELs all the freaking time... it goes away after an hour or so, but it drives me nuts sometimes... does it especially if I put higher than 89 octane gas in my car for some reason.