What's the best value HEADERS for 05 mazda 3 hatch???

[rlambert02]

Ok guys, so i've been wanting to do headers for a while now in my 05 M3 hatch. I already have a K&N CAI and SRS catback (which I do plan on upgrading eventually) but the next venture I want to do is some headers.

The only thing I've really been able to find though is Vibrant, is this a good brand for headers? These also seemed kinda pricey.

So can anyone with good knowledge in this area, help me out and tell me if vibrant is good; what else is out there, and whats the best value for the money?


Also I purchased a Jet V-Force Plus Power Control Module a few months ago and my friend who knows just about everything with car electrical couldn't even get it to work when we installed it, the directions are complete crap, so does anyone else have one of these and could share some knowledge??

 

[rlambert02]

No one has any good tips for me?

 

[adumbrille]

You get what you pay for. Vibrant is very high quality, with amazing looking welds. Draxas, Vibrant and Thunder all used to make headers for the 3, but are all out of production. That being said, Vibrant still has some left over stock floating around the internet you can still find. The only company currently making headers for the 3 is MSDS, but I believe they're on back-order right now. I would personally go with the Vibrant having seen and heard both in person.

 

[carifresco]

On ebay there is a header for the mazda 6 but look very similar will that fit the 3?

 

[rlambert02]

I'm pretty sure it wouldnt fit, based off of the pics i've seen of both 3 and 6 headers

 

[carifresco]

But looks pretty semilar, What change the angle or were the exhaust goes?

 

[njaremka]

while a mazda6 header might bolt up to the mazda3 engine (they use the same 4-cylinder engine), the exhaust routing is different. also, the firewall is different between the two vehicles. so, again, while it might bolt up to the engine, you will likely have issues with fitment somewhere else.

if you really HAVE to have a header, get one made for the 3.

 

[rlambert02]

that's definitely the plan man. how hard is it to change the headers yourself, anyone know? My friend did the catback ourselves wasnt too bad just took forever cutting the stock exhaust in 2 different spots cuz I had to use a little hand saw hahah

 

[adumbrille]

There are 3 methods to removing the header -

1 - unbolt the passenger engine mount and rear engine mount, and move the engine forward 4 inches to make room to pull it up.

2 - remove the windshield cowl

3 - cut the header in half

#3 is the easiest, I've tried all 3 methods in person. Some people say you can take out the studs, but that didn't work for me when I tried it.