Headers

[ff_jeff]

Has any one used dc sports Long tube headers before. Im about to buy some and want to make sure that they are cool. they are ceramic coated and dont come with the y or any of that other mess. comments?

[Red03SilSS]

Not me Sorry.

[ff_jeff]

bump

[joshua022]

I never knew DC made some....

I thought they only did import stuff..

[ff_jeff]

eBay Motors: DC Sports Header: 02-05 Silverado, Suburban & Tahoe (item 200159640926 end time Nov-03-07 12:37:33 PDT)
They are cheap too and there is 20 of them.

[RedHeartbeat]

They look like cheap crap. I wouldn't waste my time on a set of them.

[ff_jeff]

They look like cheap crap. I wouldn't waste my time on a set of them.

they may be cheap but as long as they fit right a header is a header, right? I mean how different could the gains be from pacesetter? Im sure there is a reason they were discontinued, but if no one else has an opinion other than speculation I might be a test rat and try them, Btw REDHEART I respect your opinion and so far you have known what you are talking about. If they work out and fit right, and put down at least 10hp to the wheels, then I saved allot of money, If not I only lost $176 shipped.

I still want to know everyones opinion so please post up people. ALLEN what do you think?

[skeet]

think i would ask questions like what size collector, i see the tubes are 1.750 but how thick is the flanges and such i read mild steel, hmmm how mild are they ...

anyway i never heard nor used them but i look at all sizes of headers from flanges to metal guage ..

[ff_jeff]

good point, do most exhaust shops carry gaskets and flanges and stuff?

[DamnYankee]

I would want to know what gauge steel they're using. If they're 18 gauge or some crap, they're likely not going to last long and they'll probably sound like crap. Also, how thick are the flanges? Flanges aren't something exhaust shops just have laying around. If they have to custom make flanges and then weld them to a set of already coated headers, that's going to cost a bunch in labor (not sure you can even weld to already coated pipes?). So they may be cheap right off the bat, but you'll be paying to have an exhaust shop install them to work with the rest of your exhaust. And then when/if they rust out or don't seal good because the flanges are cheap, you're going to wind up paying for a second set of more expensive headers, and then more money for removal and install.

On the other hand, they may be perfectly fine and you might wind up with the deal of the month. Sometimes being the guinea pig works, sometimes not.

Have you done a search on PTnet or online to see if there are any reviews? I can't find much online.

If you get them and plan on using header wrap or nitrous, it'll void the warranty. Personally I wouldn't touch them - they refer to "mild steel" a little too often. Add to that, ANY good header manufacturer is going to give you flange thickness and steel gauge. They manage to avoid giving either.

From AEM's website:

Q: Why doesn’t DC Sports make a header for my car? A: In some cases there is simply not enough demand to warrant the R&D and manufacturing cost to develop a header for a specific application. In other cases (mostly newer vehicles) the vehicle manufacturer integrates the catalytic converter into the stock exhaust manifold, making it impossible for us to make a street legal header (the 1996 Honda Civic DX is one example). If we cannot design a street-legal header for an application that is in high demand, we will design and manufacture a Race Header design for off road use for racing applications. Q: Where can I find the part number on my DC Sports header? A: We stamp the part number either on the lower mounting bracket or on the head flange. Please do not confuse the part number with the E.O. number attached to the DC Sports tag on one of the primary pipes near the head flange. This number is the Exemption Order from the California Air Resources Board indicating emissions compliance for 50-state legality. Q: I have a lowered suspension system. Which DC Sports header should I use to achieve the best ground clearance? A: We recommend using a 4-2-1 design if it is available as the collector shape delivers the best overall ground clearance. Please note that header damage to the collector caused by lowered suspensions or aggressive driving that causes the vehicle to “bottom out” will void the manufacturer warranty. Q: I race on the weekends. Can I use header wrap to keep underhood temps down? A: The use of header wrap will void the manufacturer warranty on your DC Sports header because it does not allow the header to normalize and can soften the welds. Although header wrap is used with success on racing engines, most teams account for the deterioration it will cause to the header, and in most cases warranty is not a concern for racing teams. On street cars or vehicles that are street driven and see occasional track duty, we do not recommend its use. Q: Will DC Sports make a custom header for my car? A: No, we do not design custom header applications at this time. Q: Do DC Sports headers come with gaskets and hardware? A: DC Sports one-piece headers typically do not come with exhaust gaskets or hardware because the factory gaskets are retained. Please use care when removing the factory gaskets not to damage them in the event they are reused with your DC Sports header.

Two-piece headers come with factory style o-rings and hardware to connect the two sections of the header. The factory head and donut gasket (if applicable) are durable enough to be reused with our product. If for some reason your stock components are damaged, you can pick up replacement parts at a dealership. We have elected to use factory parts because of their inherent quality and abundant supply, and so you do not need to contact us (or one of our distributors) for a proprietary part. Q: Can I use Nitrous Oxide with my DC Sports header? A: THE USE OF NITROUS OXIDE WILL VOID THE WARRANTY ON YOUR DC SPORTS HEADER, and is not recommended. This is because the consequent severe increase in exhaust gas temperatures from the use of nitrous will cause mild steel to become brittle and crack. If you currently use, or plan to use nitrous, we highly recommend the use of our Stainless Steel header system over our Ceramic Coated mild steel header system, as it is more resilient to extreme temperatures. Even with a Stainless Steel header the use of nitrous will void your warranty. If you use nitrous we recommend frequent inspection of the flanges for cracks or deterioration. Never operate your vehicle with a compromised exhaust system because of the potential of carbon monoxide poisoning. Q: When I install my header will I still be able to pass emissions testing? A: Most DC Sports headers are certified to comply with C.A.R.B. exemption standards and includes an Exemption Order (E.O.) on the welded metal DC Sports tag (excluding JDM headers). Keep in mind that this certification is not a guarantee that your car will pass emissions testing. A vehicle in good working condition equipped with our header system WILL pass emissions. Because there are many variables that can cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test, DC Sports is not liable for any costs incurred by a user to obtain a smog certificate. Q: How can I keep my stainless-steel DC Sports header looking good? A: A) To prevent and/or remove rust from the mild steel flanges, buff the flanges regularly with Scotch Brite. Later model DC Sports Stainless Steel headers have a stainless steel flange that should not require any maintenance.
B) Regularly coat all header flanges with a light oil solution using a clean cloth (Suggestion: WD-40) DO NOT APPLY TO HEADER TUBES!
C) To restore the polished finish of stainless-steel header tubes, use metal polish (Suggestions: Flitz or Mother’s Stainless steel polish).
D) Using a solution of mild detergent and water, wipe the header tubes free of all grease, oil, and/or fingerprints (Suggestion: Windex).

Regular maintenance depends on the weather conditions in your region. Moist or humid climates may require additional maintenance than regions that are arid. If there are any signs of rust and/or corrosion on any of the flanges, follow the instructed guidelines as soon as possible to prevent further weathering and to preserve the flange material. Q: I have an engine swap. Which header should I use? A: DC Sports manufactures hybrid header systems for Hondas with a K-series engine swap. These headers are a direct fit and fully warranted. For cars with other engine swaps, we do not recommend using our header because of potential connection problems at the exhaust piping and potential ground clearance issues. If you elect to purchase a DC Sports header for your engine swap application, we cannot guarantee proper fitment and any modifications to the header system will void the manufacturer warranty. Q: What size are the pipes and collector on DC Sports headers? A: We make every effort to extract the most power out of an engine, so pipe diameters will vary by application anywhere from 1.375” to 1.75.” Collector sizes will range anywhere from 2”-2.5” depending on what makes the most power for your vehicle. Q: Does my DC Sports header come with an O2 sensor extension? A: If required for installation, your DC Sports header includes an O2-sensor wire extension harness. This is because we have relocated the O2 sensor bung to the collector pipe. This allows the O2 sensor to read exhaust gas oxygen from all four cylinders. The DC Sports O2 wire extension harness is constructed from OEM components and includes a harness that allows you to connect the extension directly to the factory wire without any modifications. Q: What is the difference between a 4-into-1 header and a 4-2-1 header? A: In many cases 4-into-1 headers are designed for racing applications where the vehicle is being driven at or near redline during competition. The 4-into-1 design maximizes top end power, whereas the 4-2-1 evenly distributes power throughout the power band. There are cases where a 4-into-1 header works better than the 4-2-1, and in those cases we will only manufacture a 4-into-1 design. Q: How can I tell the difference between a ceramic coated and stainless steel header? A: Generally, the third character in our header part number indicates whether a DC Sports header system is ceramic coated or stainless. Using the 1999-00 Honda Civic Si as an example, the ceramic coated system part number is HHC5504 (the “C” indicating a ceramic finish). For the same application, the stainless steel header system part number is HHS5504 (the “S” indicating a stainless finish). Because we offer some stainless systems in a brushed or polished finish, some stainless systems also have a “B” suffix for brushed or “S” suffix for polished at the end of the part number. For example, the brushed 99-00 Si stainless header part number is HHS5504B, and the polished version is HHS5504S. If we do not list a stainless part number for an application, we do not make it in stainless steel. If a stainless steel application is only available in one type of finish, it is indicated by a “B” or and “S” at the end of the part number.

For our Race headers, we identify stainless steel systems with a “B” or an “S” at the end of the part number. Race headers without a “B” or “S” suffix at the end of the part number are ceramic coated.

All DC Sports turbo manifolds and competition pipes are available in 100% stainless steel only. A “B” or an “S” at the end of the part number indicates the finish for these items. Q: What is a C.A.R.B. E.O. number? A: DC Sports headers carry or are pending approval for a California Air Resources Board Executive Order (CARB EO) number, exempting them from the prohibitions of California Vehicle Code (CVC) 27156, which states that you cannot modify your car in the area of the emission control system (excluding Racing Headers, Turbo Manifolds and Competition Pipes). The C.A.R.B. E.O. number allows you to install a DC Sports header on your car and drive legally on public highways. Q: Where is the O2 sensor bung located on DC Sports headers? A: To get a more accurate sampling of all cylinders, we relocate the O2 sensor to the collector area. We provide an OEM quality O2 extension if necessary. If your extension needs to be replaced, it can be purchased separately from an authorized DC Sports distributor. Please visit our dealer finder on the website for an authorized distributor in your area. Q: How do I obtain a C.A.R.B. sticker for my DC Sports header? A: You can either mail or fax a copy of you Invoice (proof of purchase) to the Customer Service Dept. You can mail the request and proof of purchase to:

DC Sports/Customer Service
2205 126th Street, Unit A
Hawthorne, CA 90250

To fax, please use a cover sheet and put it to ATTN: DC Sports Customer Service, (310) 484-0152.

We can only issue one E.O. tag per invoice, so please do not request “extras”. Q: Will DC Sports headers void my new car warranty? A: NO. The only time this can happen is from improper installation that causes damage to a vehicle system. If a service technician denies your warranty claim ONLY because the car is modified with a DC Sports header and the vehicle system failure was not a direct result of the installation and use of a DC Sports header, please refer him to the Magnusson Moss Warranty act. You can download the Magnusson Moss Warranty act from SEMA’s website at: SEMA SAN - SEMA ACTION NETWORK. Q: Can I or should I remove the Catalytic Converter from my car? A: NO. REMOVAL OF THE FACTORY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL VOID THE WARRANTY ON YOUR DC SPORTS HEADER. This is because the spring-loaded bolts used to connect the catalytic converter to the header system are often replaced with un-sprung bolts that can stress the flanges and cause failure. If you insist on replacing your catalytic converter (for off highway use only) with a replacement pipe, we highly recommend using the factory spring-loaded bolts. Q: What is the warranty on my DC Sports header? A: Advanced Engine Management Inc. warrants to the consumer that all DC Sports High Performance products will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from date of the original purchase. Products that fail within this 12 month warranty period will be repaired or replaced at AEM’s option, when determined by AEM that the product failed due to defects in material or workmanship. This warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of the DC Sports part. In no event shall this warranty exceed the original purchase price of the DC Sports part nor shall AEM be responsible for special, incidental or consequential damages or cost incurred due to the failure of this product. Warranty claims to AEM must be transportation prepaid and accompanied with dated proof of purchase. This warranty applies only to the original purchaser of product and is non-transferable. All implied warranties shall be limited in duration to the said 12 month warranty period. Improper use or installation, use for racing, accident, abuse, unauthorized repairs or alterations voids this warranty. AEM disclaims any liability for consequential damages due to breach of any written or implied warranty on all products manufactured by AEM. Warranty returns will only be accepted by AEM when accompanied by a valid Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Credit for defective products will be issued pending inspection. Product must be received by AEM within 30 days of the date RMA is issued.

If you have a warranty issue, please call (310) 484-2322, extension 203 and our customer service department will assist you. A proof of purchase is required for all DC Sports warranty claims.