**ClubRSX Stainless Steel Race Header Part 2**

[NinetySixYenko]

The header is going to leak no matter what from the slip joints unless you weld it or use high temp silicone on it. As for the donut gasket, I don't think I've ever seen a donut gasket seal 100%. They're designed to move and have play to them.

[matrix22]

why is it so tough to make a header that fits and works right for this dang usdm dc5?

what is it? really, please tell me.

[mtcrsx28]

Originally Posted by NinetySixYenko

The header is going to leak no matter what from the slip joints unless you weld it or use high temp silicone on it. As for the donut gasket, I don't think I've ever seen a donut gasket seal 100%. They're designed to move and have play to them.

yeah maybe i am being to picky...im thinking becasue i have a Ws2 i am hearing the ticking more than others? also i have the slip joints welded already and a vibrant gasket and spring bolts.

[NinetySixYenko]

Originally Posted by matrix22

why is it so tough to make a header that fits and works right for this dang usdm dc5?

what is it? really, please tell me.

Because almost all of them are replicas of either the ITR header or after market JDM header, that use different sway bars, the USDM sway bar doesn't leave much wiggle room even with a stock header down pipe. The PLM/CRSX header clears sway bar perfectly, and if not, you can slide the joints however to align it up. The problem with this header is on the donut gasket/mid pipe piece, some cat-backs it doesn't fit well with, others it's an amazing fit.

[NinetySixYenko]

Originally Posted by mtcrsx28

yeah maybe i am being to picky...im thinking becasue i have a Ws2 i am hearing the ticking more than others? also i have the slip joints welded already and a vibrant gasket and spring bolts.

Check your flange gaskets, i started hearing more "tick" than normal lately, and the 3 bolt gasket has started to leak.

[matrix22]

Originally Posted by NinetySixYenko

Because almost all of them are replicas of either the ITR header or after market JDM header, that use different sway bars, the USDM sway bar doesn't leave much wiggle room even with a stock header down pipe. The PLM/CRSX header clears sway bar perfectly, and if not, you can slide the joints however to align it up. The problem with this header is on the donut gasket/mid pipe piece, some cat-backs it doesn't fit well with, others it's an amazing fit.

thank you sir !

[Holung]

Just bought this header and it fits horribly where the test pipe piece joins to the mid pipe, not to mention the crappy donut gasket.

[Mortification]

Originally Posted by Holung

Just bought this header and it fits horribly where the test pipe piece joins to the mid pipe, not to mention the crappy donut gasket.

Yup!

I just brought down my header because of innovative mounts cuz race car lol.

I'm planning on going to a muffler shop and have them weld the slip joints. That's the only solution I can find. And as far as donut gasket. They all suck! Unless the test pipe is to blame. I even bought the crsx vibrant donut gasket and it already looks like shit. And it's like maybe a month or two old.

You'd think they'd figure it out by now

[K20 power 06]

The vibrant gasket works great if you install it right. I find it hard to believe you have horrible fitment issues. Mine fits great and so do plenty others. Use some muscles and a little mechanical ingenuity and you will find this is actually a great header for the price.

[Mortification]

Don't get me wrong header is great. But that test pipe is something else. Not only did it bring my piping all the way down, it also seems like it won't seal flush on donut gasket. No matter how I wiggle or place it. The gasket is being toast as we speak lol. Ill eventually find a solution might even try to shave the test pipe a bit so the vibrant fits in more snugly.

[K20 power 06]

Try buying a couple different size/style exhaust hangers... It allowed me to adjust the entire piping for spot on fitment. Also try installing the test pipe and donut gasket to the rest of the exhaust first, then fitting it onto the car.

[Mortification]

Ill try that out. My car is down for all the shit I'm putting on it. Sonic taking my time with alot of stuff. So ill give it a go after I weld the slip joints at a muffler shop. Or would silicone be better?

[03Si757]

I said fuck the donut gasket... welded a flange to the header and made a flexpipe section with parts of the test pipe and a 4" vibrant ss turbo flex. Worked out great... now I need to see if I can get better clearance with this thing before I go 3".

[RacerX Type-Sex]

Ok... read my posts on part 1, I'm the one that originally suggested the hi-temp rtv silicone on the donut gasket/joints idea... something that has helped me, and lots of others out a lot (and never got credit for) if you need credentials. I have had this header on since 2011, I keep a detailed log of parts I install on my car and this are my entries on the day of the install in February of 2011: "Ports= ~1.75" (~45mm), Runners= ~##" (~##mm), Collector= ~2.5" (~62mm). Put together, had to force 2 of the tubes out to line them up with the mating part. The retainer brackets don't readily line up. Will have to put it in a vise and twist it to shape. It came with head-manifold gasket, donut gasket (flex-type), and 3 retainer allen bolts made of inferior metal (bends easily), need to replace with higher grade bolts. Will need the end colector gasket (header-catback mating) 2.5" 3-bolt type, and possibly exhaust spring bolts.".

I had also installed a greddy exhaust shortly before so this is the reason the comments sound like that. I did end up installing 2 exhaust spring-hook thingys that my boss gave me from his Honda 1000RR sport bike to prevent leaks/alleviate the odd fittment issues I was ridiculed for by the ClubRSX staff (i.e. I'm an amateur that doesn't know wtf he's doing, read the posts for proof).

LAST point about this header: I have since moved to Europe, where clearance rules are much more strict that in the states, and I shipped my RSX here and yes with the header and greddy exhaust on. BTW a quick note, I was tracking this car (semi-race, non-pro) in California, hence the setup. So before you can drive a car here in Europe 'officially' you have to drive it with 'temporary' tags until you are in compliance with the rules to include having a clearance of 11cm (~4.3in), which I found next to imposible with this header due to the fact that it makes the exhaust hang much lower than stock (most people have this issue despite what the club rsx staff and their biased/unknowledgeable patrons tell you)... That being said, I decided to keep the header on because it was a fairly decent "bang-for-the-buck", and to me the times it has been a pain in the ass are still not enough to warrant replacing it for a header that costs 2x or more... yet... but if I had the choice at the moment, I would swap it out in an instant.

[K20 power 06]

You should ship me whatever drugs you are on... There's no way you wrote all of that sober


P.s. - Props for the silicone idea

[RacerX Type-Sex]

Originally Posted by K20 power 06

You should ship me whatever drugs you are on... There's no way you wrote all of that sober


P.s. - Props for the silicone idea

Holy shit how did you know

I get sort of 'philosophical' when I'm drunk... But truthful to the max y0

BTW if you want me to ship you the 'drug', it would have to be alcohol in the form of Paulaner Weissbeir, and Paulaner pils oktoberfest brew=best beer

[Mortification]

Well I was just considering for it to be welded at a muffler shop but in scared of the shity welds? Lol so I might just let it be. Idk if its leaking from the slip joints and as far as the donut gasket goes oh well I'm gonna try to alleviate it with another gasket besides vibrant if I can. We will see

[metaleckz]

Halp!!! So i just put the header on right. Then theres a smoke coming out between the header and the engine. Wherr thr 4 holes are.
And one more question, theres no support on my rh. Like theres no hanger or something thaybwill hold the header. Is it like that?

Ps. My car stinks! Lol

[a4andy]

Originally Posted by metaleckz

Halp!!! So i just put the header on right. Then theres a smoke coming out between the header and the engine. Wherr thr 4 holes are.
And one more question, theres no support on my rh. Like theres no hanger or something thaybwill hold the header. Is it like that?

Ps. My car stinks! Lol

Did you apply a gasket inbetween when you installed it? It could be all the grease from your hands during install burning off the header as it gets hot.

And yes, it will stink because of no cat.

[metaleckz]

I used my old one because the dealership is closed. Is the old one okay?