Which Header?!

[6strings]

This may have been posted already, but I can't find it.
What kind of aftermarket headers wouldwork well for a 2.3L. without failing emission tests. I heard Vibrant headers removes the first Cat, so I am not sure what to do lol. HELP!

6strings.

[JohnyGT]

i had an OBX one and worked just fine with no probs.

[Nextmod]

stick with the Vibrant. most members gets the Vibrant with out issues.

if you are interested PM us for a special quote =)

[Donutz]

"Header", it's singular. You can find loads of info on the forum if you search for 'header', or on Google using the search string 'mazda 3 header'. OBX, MSDS (I believe became, or was, another brand) Vibrant, Thunder.

[dentinger]

fwiw, a couple members who have the vibrant header still passes the emissions test. btwon mazda (i tihnk) was one of them. i havent seen him on here in a while tho...

[6strings]

"Header", it's singular. You can find loads of info on the forum if you search for 'header', or on Google using the search string 'mazda 3 header'. OBX, MSDS (I believe became, or was, another brand) Vibrant, Thunder.

LOl thanks Jason. I'll remember that :)

[blankets3]

if ur interested i got a basically brandnew one i used for a few months that ill sell you pm me

[PearlM3]

Go Vibrant..Freaking loud, and should have no emissions problems

[6strings]

Yeah. im being pulled towards vibrant. but Im not looking to be too loud

[btown-mazda]

fwiw, a couple members who have the vibrant header still passes the emissions test. btwon mazda (i tihnk) was one of them. i havent seen him on here in a while tho...

Yep, passed my e-test with flying colours

[btown-mazda]

Yeah. im being pulled towards vibrant. but Im not looking to be too loud

Then you have a problem my friend as the header is quite loud. Pair it up with a Vibrant CB-E and it's even louder.

[Donutz]

I too have passed etest with a vibrant header. Btown hit it on the head; if you don't want noise you shouldn't get a header. I have a custom cbe with a huge muffler and ultra quiet resonator and my car roars over 3000 rpm.

[6strings]

yeah. I might skip the headers. I have an intake and its good for now. Thanks guys for the input. Saved me a few hundred bucks lol.
I really didnt want to get a loud sound anyways. Should have saved up and got the speed 3.

[shu5892001]

lol i been running the vibrant cbe for a week now and I think the noise has really quiet down... i want more noise lol maybe i will do a header too

[btown-mazda]

go for it, you'll absolutely love the extra giddyup you get with it. I know I do

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Header won't effect emissions... now old high flow cats...

[Kwokalobster]

which header would be in the middle? not too loud like vibrants and not too quiet. any suggestions?

[Donutz]

^^ None. I've said this before, I'll say it again. If you can't put up with the nosie a header is simply not for you; my suggestion is that you leave your car stock. There is no in-between, there is no quiet aftermarket header.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

What other exhaust components do you plan on running?

[Impressive]

Does anyone on the forums run headers with a stock exhaust? If so, is it still effective for sound/power output?

[6strings]

i already have a sri on it. im not planning on doing cat back exhaust. maybe with just headers and intake it would sound sweet?

[Donutz]

Yes, a header will sound decent, but you'll pay a lot more to get a header installed than you will for a cbe. And if sound is your only criteria then a cbe is probably a better choice.

[eqlso]

Does anyone on the forums run headers with a stock exhaust? If so, is it still effective for sound/power output?

Its not going to sound loud, maybe a tad higher at upper rpms. I find there's alot more vibrations with the header on.

[mz3~Power]

i have a magnaflow cbe .. now im pritty sure that it deletes my second cat .. and im looking into getting the vibrant header.. im not concerned about noise but im concerned about failing emissions or getting a ticket from mto .. would i have to get a high flow cat added so i dont fail ?? and if so whats a good one to buy?

[Turok]

go for it, you'll absolutely love the extra giddyup you get with it. I know I do

Is the giddyup that noticeable with a aftermarket header? What do you feel better response? or better acceleration?

[Donutz]

Do your reasearch on the hf cat. You will likely still fail emissions. Your best bet is to have your exhaust customized so you can swap the cat in/out for emission testing.

[mz3~Power]

so by having a high flow cat added into my exhaust system i will still fail emission ? what is a set up that is guaranteed to pass and gets the best performance..?

[Donutz]

LOL! Guaranteed to pass = stock. Best performance + pass emissions = header-cat-cbe. There is no guarantee that you pass / fail with the high flow; my comment is that you will 'likely' fail. I've never read about anyone passing, but I have read about people failing.

Are you looking at the exhaust mani for a speed 3? If so that might be a whole different ball of wax.

[btown-mazda]

Is the giddyup that noticeable with a aftermarket header? What do you feel better response? or better acceleration?

Oh, it's very noticable as you can hear the engine whine louder and louder as you go faster and faster. In terms of response/acceleration I would say it's about equal as as soon as you hit the pedal the car'll jerk back a bit as you start accelerating and will keep accelerating all the way through the high rpms. There have been times I've gone to 150 km/h on the highway in a split second while passing and I don't even know I'm going that fast, gotta be careful as I don't need nor want to get hit with a stunt driving charge. All in all performance wise I say getting the header was the best thing I did for the car.

[MistaChin]

Was the change in gas mileage drastic?

[JohnyGT]

Was the change in gas mileage drastic?

Wasnt too too bad, saying by my personal experience, thogh, the shop where i got my header installed from either lost/forgot to put the gasket, which caused exhaust leak,

im pretty sure that killed some gas mileage as well. So i suppose, not that much.