Power is Everything - Part 1

I purchased a used OBX header and AEM intake about three months ago.  I have been waiting to install them until I got the car in a better state with fresh mounts, preventative maintenance, etc., and I also wanted to abuse the car a little in stock trim to feel it out and find any potential weak spots.  No problems found so I bought a new Yonaka catback exhaust and got to work.

The AEM Dual Chamber intake is basically just a filter on a tube, but AEM says it gains 18hp over stock.  http://www.aemintakes.com/  Not allowed per ST* rules to trim the fender liner or radiator shrouding to fit a true cold air or ram air intake so this was an easy off the shelf choice. Got is used at half price and the install was easy so I actually stuck it on the day before the last autox.  Stock intake weighs 10.2 lbs.  AEM weighs 3.8 lbs. This thing makes a loud intense growl on vtec so the perceived power increase is there.

The OBX V2 header is a Comptech long tube replica and I snagged it locally used for under $200. With so many header options for this vehicle, I just chose the one that is reported to make decent power, fit well, and is reasonably priced.  No braided flex hose or slip joints on this header, however the collector flange includes an oem style donut gasket with spring bolts which should help reduce any stress or cracking.   Aside from a known front swaybar interference issue and a damaged O2 sensor, the install was a simple nut and bolt procedure.  There is no provision for a catalytic converter.

   

The Yonaka catback exhaust was purchased mainly because of the canister size and volume and my need and desire to keep the car relatively quiet.  It is an Apexi WSII clone 2.5" OD and reported to be barely louder than stock and at just over $200 I could not resist. Quality is very good and includes all hardware and gaskets.  Fit is excellent.  Sound is mellow at low revs and mildly aggressive without being obnoxious at vtec. No drone.  Plans are to install a race cat in the mid-pipe; probably at the S-bend or immediately following the header collector.  The main muffler is shorter than the stock muffler which should allow some clearance for a future upgraded speedway style ASR swaybar.

Combined, the complete OEM exhaust weighs 57.4 lbs.  The OBX and Yonaka together weigh 41.5 lbs.  Midrange horsepower feels stronger between 3500-5000 rpm.

Hondata just released version 4 of their popular and powerful Kpro ecu.   This is next on my shopping list after some of the other suspension items are dealt with.