Hola! While getting ready for the coming autox season, I realized im racing against at least 3 Miatas this year in a street class and since ive almost maxed out all my legal suspension mods, im looking for a bump in power to give me some sort of edge. (those stinkin cheater Miatas). Also i need to keep it a legal mod in my class meaning i need to keep my Cat which limits my options.
I want the 4-2-1 for the low end power. I have my eye on the Megan and OBX. OBX has a lifetime limited warranty and the Megan has always had good reviews (besides that blasted middle gasket)
Really my biggest question is, what experience have you had with power/fitment/quality of these names? Also has anyone ever had length issues buying for your specific year, or if i bought the 90/91 spec header would it bold right on without modding my cat in any way? (mine is a 1990)
i had a dc on my rsx, but that was when they first came out for it. I heard a lot or people dont like them, but i have nothing bad to say.
the meagan racing i hear works good, especially for the price.
I would get the bisimoto if i had the cash lol.
what are all your restrictions for your autox?
what all can you put on your car that will be still in like, the header will only open up a few ponies.
oh yeah, i thnk the skunk2 will be able to use your cat. Dont quote me on that though
Well first off I dont see the point in spending over $400 for a S2 header. Since im only freeing up a couple of pwnies, the cheaper header will do me just fine.
Rules for autox arent too restrictive actually. I just need to keep the factory cat. The header needs to be “emissions legal”, which to me seems open to interpretation. If it passes emissions test, then its technically legal. If the rules stated the header had to be emissions certified that might be another story. I could be wrong, but noone would pay enough attention to notice, or care. haha
the 92-93 header is shorter in length than the 90-91
as long as the mounting flanges are perfectly flat and you torque the bolts all the same i dont think you should have a problem.
i’ve been using a DC header for quite a while its the SS version… haven’t had any issues with it but it also uses a crush type of gasket so its different from the megan header.
personally i would go with a toda replica for a 4-2-1 but its going to be more than what the megan and obx cost.
I completely forgot about toda,
Glad the dc is working out for you ^^ that’s the one I want.
Toda will be a bit pricey. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories with obx
yea the obx is terrible. i had one before i got my tri-y. it cracked within a month. and the same goes for the megan headers. my friend had them on his civic and they also cracked.
i have the megan in a 91 for almost a year. I was set on buying the DC Sports ($280) but after hearing about the welds cracking, took a chance on megan for $110 on ebay. Honestly, it isn’t that bad, fitment is fine, have stock crossmember, weights like 5lbs. compared to stock 25lbs. casting, turns from chrome to gold/blue over time (looks cool), butt dyno feels alittle faster (for the price, i can’t complain). I DO RECOMMEND GETTING HEDMAN HEDDERS GASKET part #27180 from summit racing. (the one supplied sucks!)
^^If anything i would need to change my spring rates. But I could use a bump in power.
Current suspension mods:
Tokico Illuminas
H&R Race spring
Full Race traction bar
ASR 24mm rear sway w/sub-brace and adjustable endlinks
Front strut bar
upgraded rotors and pads
For my class, im about maxed out as far as legal mods… just looking for a little more boost is all.
I was wondering, since the 90-91 downpipe is longer than the 92/93 if a 4-1 header would fit without modding the cat considering the longer design of the 4-1. I was looking at the Hytech reps and Yonaka, but unsure of the dimensions. Anyone have them?
I agree, driving is a number one priority, which comes with time. Ive been constantly dialing in my suspension from race to race. This season ill be starting out with about 2.3* camber in the front and about 2.5* in the rear. While id like to get a mean adjustment on my toe, i like my tires too much. haha
Like i said driving comes with practice, and lots of seat time. But a little more power doesnt hurt.
As far as balancing, i honestly havent put as much focus into it as i should. Im going to see how it reacts to a more full tank of gas to help balance out f/r. Ive also removed my carbon fiber trunk, which besides being illegal, will help with a better balance… while unfortunately making it heavier.
I have to say, good luck against the miatas cause they are tough in autocross and known well in the track to have their own event called spec miata. I’ve driven one and it feels amazingly light and nimble. Boosted and top down, mixed with rwd is drifting fun.
I will say ull need aggressive camber as well and preferably coilovers. A stiffer asr 32mm sway bar will help you rotate around the cones instead of understeering
Noone would know… but since we’re all friends out there, we all abide by the rules. Plus theres always one guy that complains about an upgraded part that benefits the car in no way, just because hes losing to him and hopes he gets kicked out of the class. haha
Im contemplating getting a tune at this point. But not sure ill gain much from the limited bolt-on mods i have.
Oh well… ill probably end up just focusing on my driving!