Well, performance-wise you'll probably see a better gain with the OBX, but the Wagner keeps you legal!
I'm buying the Wagner when I have enough money for it.

 

one more thing, with a new header, has anyone noticed a diff in power, or know how much hp it increses?

 

Can't tell you how much hp you'll get from a header but you should notice a difference. Make sure to go with 4-2-1 header though. Unless you're just going for top speed. The 4-2-1 setup will keep your low end torque up.

Also, if you live somewhere cold, be aware that your car will run like crap until the header warms up.

 

I think Roddimus mentioned a 5-7 whp increase with the Wagner. Other headers which eliminate the first cat probably 7-10 whp.

 

the catt really takes that much power? wow

 

A 4-2-1 will make the car a peppier in normal driving (2k-3500rpm) better than a 4-1, which will make most of it's power and torque difference above 3500rpm, but I don't know if it's worth more than 2x the cost. 4-2-1's are >$500 and you can get good 4-1's for around $200-$250. I don't know about everyone else, but usually when I need that extra power, I'm running above 3k RPM anyway, so it's not that big a deal for me.

 

someone mentioned the obx header doesn't keep the car legal? is that right, or whats the rule on that? i do live in upper michigan, but i let my car run a few min in the morning, to warm it up, will it hurt the car or run really bad with cold winters?

 

wouldnt the 4-2-1 give you even more power and a different torque curve when you get a turbo/super for it?

 

http://www.streetstyler.com/OBXHEADERS.htm
has anyone tried this header? im really not looking to spend $500 for one, this ones only $175, and says its been dino proven fro 7-10 HP, any ideas?

 

thats the 421 header

 

ok, so any ideas why its that cheap?

 

Those are great prices for the OBX headers. The reason they are so cheap is that OBX mass produces everything they make. They sell in HUGE volumes and can afford to keep prices low and competitive. I was stunned to see a 4-2-1 1.6L protege header for $175 then it dawned on me....I bet you'll end up paying $50-75 in shipping. They usually sell an item for low and jack the shipping. If I remember correctly I thought Ken from www.protegegarage.com told me the 1.6L and 2.0L headers were the same part number....if this is the case the header you'd get would be a 4-1. Same as what I have.

The difference between 4-1 headers and 4-2-1 headers is VERY minimal. I will scan an article later tonight from "Hot Import" magazine. They did a honda header shoot out and tested like 4 different types of header and the powercurves only showed maybe a 1-2hp difference in the mid range but the top end on a 4-1 was a good bit higher.

 

ok thanx for the ideas, so are you saying that if i find a header for the 2.0L that it might fit on my 1.6?

 

i also just looked at shipping for it, and its only $20 to ship, so overall itd still be under $200

 

No, they are different.

And Stueck, I'm sure Matty will correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think it's the cat that actually strips the power but the flow is interrupted by the cat.