Can I do this myself?

[brown2112]

I just purchased an OBX racing header and a Dynomax Super Turbo 2-1/4" muffler. Most of the forums I have read pertaining to exhaust mods have referenced the use of professional installation. Can I install all of these myself using the car's existing front and middle exhaust pipes, or will I need to get custom pipes to fit the car after I've installed the header, or will I just need to have the muffler pro installed?

[sed]

you will have to cut and reweld the downpipe to fit on the elantra, you will also need to at least cut the old muffler off and weld the new muffler on. So no you can't do this yourself

shawn :)

[brown2112]

Ok. Thanks for the info. I thought the downpipe that came with the header would fit, but I guess I'll have to get someone to fit it for me.

[DAILLESTWUN]

Anyway, you will want to get larger pipes than the ones that come on your stock exhaust..

[2004ElantraGLS]

My OBX Header/Downpipe was a direct bolt-on. I had my Cat-back done at the same time.

[evan938]

my obx header and "race cat" fit together fine, but the "race cat" (see test-pipe) didnt have the right flange to bolt up to the catback. so i sent it back and got my $ back

[jrod13]

My OBX header and test pipe were a direct bolt on, and I did it myself. I had my exhaust custom done after the test pipe.

[sed]

I guess i just got screwed on my headers, cause it definitely didn't fit lol.

shawn :)

[O_GT]

I guess i just got screwed on my headers, cause it definitely didn't fit lol.

shawn :)Me too :(

[jrod13]

I guess i just got screwed on my headers, cause it definitely didn't fit lol.

shawn :)
maybe you just didn't know how to put it on :D





j/k dude

[brown2112]

I put the headers on today, but there is about a 1' gap between the front pipe that came with the headers and the stock mid pipe. So, at the moment I have no cats or muffler connected to the exhaust. I'll be at the muffler shop when they open in the morning to get this taken care of with a cat back and my new muffler. Then I'll have to reconnect the O2 sensors because at the moment niether one of them is connected due to my inability to remove them from the bungs on the stock pipes.

[sed]

I don't want to say "I told you so", but

I told you so.

lol

shawn :)

[brown2112]

Yes, you told me, but I had fun doing it anyway. I dropped it off at the shop this morning. They're putting in my muffler and highflow cat with 2-1/4" pipes for $125.
I had a discussion with the mechanics about the O2 sensors, and he said that basically there was nothing I can do to prevent the inevitable CEL. He told me that they would just install one of the 2 sensors because there wouldn't be a way to put them both in where they would read accurately. The OBX only has one bung, and that is on the down pipe right before it connects with the mid pipe. That is where they are placing the 2nd sensor. The guy said that the 1st sensor can't be put in without taking out the header and drilling a port in it up by the manifold. So, I'll have only the 2nd sensor hooked up, and it will be before the CAT. I'm not sure what I think about that, but I was told that it won't disturb the performance of the engine. Does anyone know if this is true?

[sed]

strange, I haven't ever seen the header without hte bung, only the downpipe without the bung.

Not having the first is going to be bad for you, you won't have a proper air fuel reading.

Now, not having the second isn't a big deal, its an emmissions issue


shawn :)

[brown2112]

If I spliced in some wires to make the 1st sensor reach the down pipe before the CAT would that be better than nothing?

[mrhoaf]

If I spliced in some wires to make the 1st sensor reach the down pipe before the CAT would that be better than nothing?

yeah... then have the second one put in behind the cat... which is how the stock setup is... you still may end up with a CEL though....

[brown2112]

I got my car back last night. Except for a slight, high pitch rattle when I really gun it, I am very happy with it. The piping looks good, and the muffler looks almost stock except that tip sticks out a little bit further. Performance is much better than it was two days ago with the stock setup. The deep sound of the car is very nice. I wish it was slightly quieter, but I'm sure after a while I won't notice as much. I'm going to lengthen the 1st O2 sensor later this week and put it in the down pipe where they plugged in the 2nd sensor. I'll have to wait a while for the 2nd sensor to go back in until I can get a second bung installed past the cat. My camera is on loan, but when I get it back I'll post pics. Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm really glad I found this site. :D

[XDGT03]

You have the "bee buzz" sound that everyone here with the OBX header has. The cure is to install a resonator or small glasspack after the cat. It will also help deepen the tone.

My OBX had a bung well within reach of the OEM length 1st O2 sensor. You definately need to have that in. There has been some recent discussion about the placement of the second O2 sensor on the new Tib GT's. 2Bits got rid of his elantra for one and replaced the cat back and now has a cel. The feeling is that the 2nd O2 sensor may need to be moved forward toward the cat to test hotter gases. Now how does this relate to our situation? Because it seems from all accounts that the Hotshot header does not cause a cel where the OBX does. The most likely conclusion seems to be that the exhaust gases are hotter when they get to the o2 sensor because of the better and thicker material used.

[FordFasteRR]

if i was you, i would NOT push the car to redline until you install the primary o2 sensor into the exhaust pipe.

those guys at the muffler shop are total idiots. NEVER let them touch your car again.

[brown2112]

Yeah, I knew he was a moron when I was talking with him. I guess I'm not yet confident enough with my automotive knowledge to argue with a mechanic, but I won't make that mistake again. This afternoon my neighbor is going to help me get the sensor out of the orginal header since I don't have a wrench that size, and there isn't enough room to get some leverage on a pair of channel-locks. Then I'll splice in a couple feet of wire and hope that helps my problem. I've noticed there isn't much power in the high rpms so I am definitely taking the advice of not red-lining it until I get it fixed.

[brown2112]

Primary O2 sensor back in the pipe, and the secondary O2 sensor has been removed for the time being. CEL still back on after about 2 min, but I guess there is nothing I can do about that. Car runs great.