yep just wondering when your looking at headers what do those numbers mean. Ive seen them around, I have a 95 ex which would I need and why, thanks

 

Ok. 4 is the number of pipes leaving the head (assuming a 4 cylinder). So that is the same in both scenerios. 4-1 would mean that the 4 individual pipes ALL combine at once (4 to 1) and that now single pipe travels back to the cat etc... 4-2-1 then would mean that 2 of the 4 and another 2 of the 4 meet earlier eg. the pipies from cylinder 1 and 4 meet and become one as do cylinder 2 and 3 and then those 2 pipes meet and become 1 which once again would travel to the cat etc. Most general headers will be 4-2-1, 4-1's are more typically race headers and I believe have a higher tendency to crack. Hope this helps.

 

I have also read on here that 4-2-1 are better for daily driving as they produce more low end power and 4-1 are better for racing as they are better in the mid-high end. Of course I am just regurgitating what others have already said on the subject and have no real experience with either. Thank you.

(Unless you count the equal-length headerS I put on the Stang as 4-1, but whatever)

 

For Civics, I think the consensus is that 4-2-1 is a better idea in almost every case.

 

4-2-1 are mid gain, 4-1 are high. so 4-2-1 would be better on a civic.

personally i found Meeks discription to be a bit hard to understand...so heres the dumbed down version. on a 4-1 all 4 exhaust pipes go down into 1 pipe at the same time. the 4-2-1 combines two of 'em to make two, then combines those two. just look at a picture and you will easilly be able to tell the difference

 

If I recollect DC Sports makes both types or used to. Check out their site and look at the headers and you will SEE the difference.

 

i think they still do...they also make a two piece sports header too