PICS of header installed

[Mackdaddy]

do you guys have Auto's or Manuals?

Automatic for me.

Edit: I just looked at the secondary cat pipe assembly. It looks like I'll have an exhaust shop cut, swedge, and reweld it to shorten it up a bit. Hopefully, this will solve the problem (as after driving some more today, I'd hate to take the header off.) It really is a nice gain in power. Plus, the sound is to die for. AWR header + Racing Beat catback + Injen CAI makes this car sound wicked!

I also reset the ECU. We'll see if she sets a code again.

Jim

Edited for spelling errors, again!

 

[tester]

Manual here.

My CEL light came on today after about 1/2 hour driving. It did not change performance at all (so far).
I have the o2 cheater, and am about to install it. Will post results after driving it tommorow.

AS for fitment into the rest of the exhaust, I do not see a problem yet. Truthfully I never went under and looked...

Noise, yah it sounds more like a honda now Sound is a little more tinny, but it does not sound bad. I think if I started again I would go with a racing beat exhaust instead of the bosal, as the racing beat would make it a bit quieter.

Hopefully awr will make modifications to the header to fix the problem (should also include a o2 cheater).

 

[Mackdaddy]

Another O2 CEL

I knew it was to good to be true. I'll use a cheater from PonyExpress if needed... but that's the least of my concerns as of now. Getting the complete system "back in place" is my primary concern.

I didn't notice any degraded performance with the CEL on either.

Jim

 

[tester]

Re: Another O2 CEL

I knew it was to good to be true. I'll use a cheater from PonyExpress if needed... but that's the least of my concerns as of now. Getting the complete system "back in place" is my primary concern.

I didn't notice any degraded performance with the CEL on either.

Jim

You removing the header?? Not going to tough it out with me?

 

[quik]

Re: Another O2 CEL

I knew it was to good to be true. I'll use a cheater from PonyExpress if needed... but that's the least of my concerns as of now. Getting the complete system "back in place" is my primary concern.

I didn't notice any degraded performance with the CEL on either.

Jim

Jim hit me up on my cell; I'd like to take a look. If I don't hear from you, maybe I'll check with the guys from Stereo Limited to see if they can get in touch with you for me.

 

[Protege5 Online]

So far, these seem to be only on the Auto trannys (but Antonio, did you have an Auto or 5 speed?) Ive got about 5 other headers installed on the 5 speeds & noone else but Jim & Antonio have had any issues. Couple of guys have put a few hundreds miles already without any CELs vibrations or any problems & the installs for those guys seemed to be great. So, we think its the Automatics that are giving us problems. In testing, we didnt see any differences in the Auto Manifold & 5 speed Manifold but apparently there are small space differences that cause problems!! Jim & Tony(AWR) are working through these issues to try & get them resolved so we know whats up. Anyone else thats installed the header on their car, please post your feedback. Id like to know what the 5 speed guys think. Ive got an Auto that I'll be installing sooner or later (if i ever get the time!) So I'll know a little more personally too.

 

[tester]

Mine was 5spd. EGR alignment problem, 2nd o2 location problem, and CEL also (after about 1/2 hr driving).
Just install MIL eliminator. Light still on, but have not driven anywhere (I expect it needs to be drive a bit to know that the cat is working). Will drive a bit and if still does not go away, I'll reset the computer.

 

[Protege5 Online]

Did you try resetting your ECU first? Disconnecting your battery for about 30 min or so so it could reset. I got a CEL on my Injen intake & after resetting the ECU, Ive never gotten it again. Sometimes the CEL will come on just because its reading something a little differently (shoot, mine came on once because I took off my stock intake & then put it right back on...didnt change anything)

 

[tester]

Did you try resetting your ECU first? Disconnecting your battery for about 30 min or so so it could reset. I got a CEL on my Injen intake & after resetting the ECU, Ive never gotten it again. Sometimes the CEL will come on just because its reading something a little differently (shoot, mine came on once because I took off my stock intake & then put it right back on...didnt change anything)

Yup, stayed off for about 1/2 hour driving before it came on.

 

[Mackdaddy]

Re: Re: Another O2 CEL

You removing the header?? Not going to tough it out with me?

Not yet. I'm so back-and-forth on this it's pathetic. I forgot how bad the exhaust smells when you go catless / partial catless. That's one issue right now (I know, what a moron. I should have known better to begin with.)

Another is the thought of hacking up either the OE secondary cat pipe, or my Racing Beat catack to get rid of the fitment issue. I really don't want to do either.

I don't know, I'll think about this overnight.... but the more I think about it, the more it looks like it's coming off. This is my primary (and only) mode of transportation. Sometimes I jump before I think when it comes to my car. I guess I'll never learn....

Jim

 

[Mackdaddy]

Re: Re: Another O2 CEL

Jim hit me up on my cell; I'd like to take a look. If I don't hear from you, maybe I'll check with the guys from Stereo Limited to see if they can get in touch with you for me.

Too late brother. I'm on the fence of pulling it off..... probably will.

Oh well, I like the Eibach's anyway......

 

[1sty]

Why take it off. For the exhuast shake have a factory mounting bracket welded back on. I am going to do this with my new down pipe. It eliminated the brackets, BIG MISTAKE THERE. It was there for a reason. I think I can hear it clink around a bit. The power is worth some issues plus I see it as a challenge to work through.

I haven't seena cel light even though I removed the 1st cat. I had 2 1/2 hour drives yeatureday and 2 today adn not lights. If you are NA then the light is no issues. For me I figured I'd get it so I invested int he wideband to make sure everything was cool .

 

[upsman]

OK well here is my story...I installed the header on my car. The EGR was a close fit. They didn't line up perfectly straight but with a little persuasion I got the EGR line to thread on the fitting on the header.

My exhaust did raise a little when the header was installed. I had the Kartboy poly exhaust hangers on my car which held the exhaust higher. I took the rear 2 off and now the tip of the exhaust no longer hits/vibrates the rear lip and bumper.

I do have a small exhaust manifold leak above cylinder 1 (closest to the timing belt) I ordered a new gasket and hopefully that will fix the problem. kinda sounds like I have a wastegate on my car right now.

As for the noise difference...it is a little louder. Nothing that I cant live with or would take the header off the car for. Sounds a little meaner actually. Of course my car sounds different from any other Protege with an exhaust that I've heard. Thermal custom cat-back incase anyone needs to know.


So far no CEL. Ive driven my car for the past 3 days and nothing. Even when I've driven it hard today. I like the performance gain out of the header.

I also have a 5 Speed.

If I think of anything else OR if any of you have ? please let me know.

Jeremy

 

[SedanMan]

Mackdaddy, PM me if selling. I have a buyer.

 

[quik]

Re: Re: Re: Another O2 CEL

Too late brother. I'm on the fence of pulling it off..... probably will.

Oh well, I like the Eibach's anyway......

Well, let's keep in touch either way.

 

[Mackdaddy]

Mackdaddy, PM me if selling. I have a buyer.

Responded. Check PM's.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Mackdaddy]

No doubt

Well, let's keep in touch either way.

I wouldn't have it any other way.....

 

[Pro Fiz]

Hey, with the raised exhaust do you think the team moon exhaust would work? The tip is 4 inches big, www.teammoonexhaust.com is the site..

 

[blackpro5]

I have a automatic protege5 and the cel light came on after driving for a little while i then took the negative terminal and the check engine light went away and came back a day later, i then read in another thread that the correct way to reset the computer is to remove the terminal and step on the brakes to discharge any capicitors then start the car and let it run for 10 min for the computer to relearn itself since then the check engine light has gone away it has been about 3 days maybe 75-100 miles also hopefully this helps everyone else out

 

[SpicyMchaggis]

so whats the moral of the story? Is it worth picking up the header? I have a 5speed sedan and I'm definetly considering it...Do the cat's have any major effects on gains on the header? Or should I just cut em?...so much for emissions