I need to see a close up picture of a 1.8L exhaust without the heat shield on it. If the EGR tube attaches the same way as the 2.0L, then it should bolt right up if you move the coil packs. I've tried to see one at my local dealer but they never have any 99-00 cars on the used lot. They take them on trade and shove them out fast. TONS of Proteges in this town.

 

I thought you made more out of the cams! I thought you said like 11 whp. What's the deal with the cams? Everybody says that the intake ALONE makes 10-12 hp when in reality it does not even make 2-3 hp! It looks to me that the header is the BEST bang for the buck by FAR!

 

If you remember the last runs were with the exhaust disconnected past the 2nd cat and the airbox lid off. When I tested it with the header, I still had the exhaust hooked up (enlarged to 2.5" cat back) and a new intake on. That should have compensated for the stuff that was unhooked in the previous test but it still had an exhaust system. The best I did the second time I dynoed it with everything hooked up was about 104HP. It made 111.6HP with the intake and exhaust disconnected. When I tested it with the header I had the better intake on it, and a full exhaust enlarged to 2.5" cat back. It made way more power than it had before and was street legal! The best I'd done street legal at that point was the 104 I put down after the exhaust cam. I was putting down 113.4 and and 119lb/ft the last time I dynoed it street legal.

I didn't get 11 HP from just the cams. I got it when I opened up the exhaust and intake also. The cams really didn't add that much but they did add some. From the looks of what happened when we disconnected the intake and exhaust, I'd say I gained about 3.5 from the intake and 3-3.5 from the cat back.

My car still needs engine management. I'm sure there is at least 10 HP waiting with proper tuning if not 15.

As far as bang for the buck, the header has given me the greatest gains of any single mod I've done to the car so far. If you haven't done any mods to your car yet, then I would recommend them in this order. Intake, cat back, header, both cams then maybe some work between the first and second cats. That depends on how much you want to get into it. I may be making a replacement for the lower manifold off the #1 cat but you'd have to get the pipe from the #2 cat forward done at a muffler shop. Also, you'd have to enlarge the opening on the #1 cat yourself or have someone local do it.

To be honest, you'd be better off having a muffler shop make you the whole thing and die grind the outlet on the cat at the same time. I went to a lot of trouble to make that damn pipe and all I really needed to do was hand a muffler shop the flanges and have them make it. It would have been easier. If anyone is interested I can get the flanges made (they are specific to our cat) and sell them also. Just be sure you use a mandrel bent pipe off the cat and not a crush bend.

 

Guess what? The header came back today! I was surprised as h*ll when I got home and my wife said it was here. Thought it wouldn't be until at least Wednsday.

Anyway, to make a long story short, it looks great! I'll be taking pictures of it tomorrow and then I'll mount it on my car to take pics of it in the engine bay. I should have the pics up Friday evening sometime since I'm busy this week.

It was worth it to get the polished finish. I showed it to my friend that's been following the whole design process and he was floored. I can't wait to get the pics up! I don't have a digital camera yet so still have to go through the whole take pictures, drop them off to be developed, pick them up later thing. I'll have them up as soon as I possibly can since I'm anxious to show it off!

 

Hey man, how much money to get a flange like your for the header? im building a turbo manifold. also, for the downpipe to the 2nd cat that you had made, how much for one totally done ready to bolt on? Please email me privately with the prices so no one gets mad for soliciting. My email is: spoon137@bellsouth.net
Thanks man,

Sil_Pro5

 

The pics are taken. I'll post them as soon as they are developed. I might do it after work tomorrow but it may be as late as Friday. I'll try to get them up as I'm anxious for feedback.