Topic: Vibrant FTW! UPDATE: Installed! (Read 1251 times)

LG Paul · « **on:** August 03, 2007, 10:00:58 PM »

Ordered my Vibrant header a little while ago through Crossover Auto. The header was backordered, but Sam at Crossover kept communication open to me to let me know how things were progressing. I had to leave the country at one point, and was afraid of the header being delivered to my house while I was gone. I told Sam this, and he assured me that he would hold off the shipment until I got back. Sure enough, I get back, and the header is shipped to me two days later!

I dont have it installed yet, but I hope to get it in soon. Does anyone who has installed one of these have any tips for me? Should I install it as one whole unit, or in two pieces? Am I in for a very frustrating install, lol?

As you can see, its a very high quality unit, and I hope it gives me a nice bump in power and sound!

mazdamn02 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2007, 10:11:06 PM »

That's a clean piece. Do you have their cbe? I had their cbe on my old 3, it was nice and some may say loud? LOL. Congrats!

LG Paul · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2007, 10:15:05 PM »

Nah, Ive got the Racing Beat exhaust. Im hoping the whole setup wont be too loud or raspy sounding!

titaniumMZ3 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2007, 01:16:01 AM »

Well I have this and it's great.. One tip for you the first 02 censor might be cross threated so you might have to shell out more money for a new 02. I got mine done under warranty since one of my buddies is a tech at a mazda dealership.

The shound is great, you can feel the power on the butt dyno.

have fun!

The Spaz · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2007, 01:47:52 AM »

Now that's quality workmanship!!:)

John_in_the_LBC · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2007, 02:02:13 AM »

looks shaweet! dyno before and after?

*txmica3* · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2007, 02:07:34 AM »

woo, i got mine coming pretty soon also, and im praying to the mazda gods that they allow me to get my 02 sensor out without stripping it

any tips? not totally a threadjack, because i know the op could use some tips too

biped · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:09:58 AM »

i dream of the day one of those will be mine

but i've got some other stuff to tackle beforehand, sadly.

doughboyr6 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:49:59 AM »

i'd like a header too....

but with the potential of CELs and screwed up 02 sensors....i think its a more economical way to just get a test pipe installed for nearly the same output no? they both get rid of one cat....so i figure like bean said to have restriction up front than mid way thru....

unknown00 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2007, 04:21:28 PM »

hey man that's awesome!

sam at crossover is a great person to work with and i'm glad you enjoy the headers. you should install it as two pieces as it'll be easier to work with and fit easier

just to let you know last time i checked www.crossoverauto.com is having a sale on the vibrant exhausts too (link here). make sure to check that out cause vibrant headers + vibrant cbe =

LG Paul · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2007, 05:15:51 PM »

Just finished up installing the header, and all is well so far. No exhaust leaks or clearance problems or anything like that. Its obvious Vibrant builds a quality product and puts a lot of r and d into their products.

The stock manifold is one big ugly bitch that didnt want to come out. I took Ag Bullets suggestions of unbolting the rear engine mount and the passenger side mount. With some convincing and swearing it eventually came out, and the Vibrant slipped right in no problem (I installed it as one piece). I managed to remove the head studs to aid clearance without using the proper torx bit. I actually just used a 12 point 6mm socket, and it did the job. The whole job took me about four hours by myself. Not too bad I think.

Now, the oxygen sensors. Both came out of the stock manifold with no issue. I didnt use any penetrating fluid, just an oxygen sensor removal tool. The primary sensor is in the vibrant header right now, and no problems there. The second sensor isnt even plugged into the car, as I have yet to get a bung welded for it. Amazingly I have yet to get a check engine light. You would think not having the sensor plugged in would cause immediate concern to the ECU, and trigger the light, but nope. I havent driven much yet, just a 12 mile jog on the freeway to test it out. Im sure the light will come on very soon. In fact I probably just jinxed myself...

Now for the sound. Its not too much louder than before. A little burblier and sounds a little ricey under heavy throttle, but its a four cylinder, not a v10 so it will sound ricey. I get the occasional backfire when shifting, and some gurgles and pops when downshifting. At idle, its barely louder than before. I already had the Racing Beat catback installed before hand, and an AEM CAI. I can definitely live with the volume, which is good as this is my daily driver (well, only car)!

THE POWER. More midrange punch for sure. Definitely feel a little more power on the butt dyno. Maybe Ill get my car dynoed one of these days. No loss of torque anywhere.

All in all I am satisfied at this point.

alakazoo22 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2007, 05:47:43 PM »

Nice !!

Do you have a High flow cat or a Race pipe with your setup ?

Sound clip or video ?

LG Paul · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2007, 05:57:02 PM »

Nah, just the stock second cat. Im probably just going to leave it like that. I have a friend who had no cats on his Integra, and it smelt awful. You would ride in it, and come out stinking like exhaust. The same would apply if you followed him in another car. I dont want it to get any louder either. I dont think the gains from doing the high flow cat would justify the cost.

*txmica3* · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2007, 06:04:44 PM »

Quote from: LG Paul on August 06, 2007, 05:57:02 PM

Nah, just the stock second cat. Im probably just going to leave it like that. I have a friend who had no cats on his Integra, and it smelt awful. You would ride in it, and come out stinking like exhaust. The same would apply if you followed him in another car. I dont want it to get any louder either. I dont think the gains from doing the high flow cat would justify the cost.

well im hoping i dont smell like exhaust since i have a straight pipe on mine

LG Paul · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2007, 06:08:34 PM »

Well you still have the stock manifold dont you? So you still have one cat. I would have none if I removed the second cat.

*txmica3* · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2007, 06:12:21 PM »

Quote from: LG Paul on August 06, 2007, 06:08:34 PM

Well you still have the stock manifold dont you? So you still have one cat. I would have none if I removed the second cat.

i do right now yes, but my vibrant header is in transit as we speak, so not for very much longer. right now im stock header>straight pipe>borla exhaust with one resonator and one muffler..

ill prolly swap my straight pipe for a vibrant resonator when i get the header on in hopes of taking down some of the ricey sound/volume since ill be running no cats.

if i smell like exhaust though, that wont make me very happy :?

mamock116 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2007, 06:13:15 PM »

im really wanting the F2 header

LG Paul · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2007, 08:31:24 PM »

Check engine light is now on, of course it was inevitable. Will get the bung welded in this week, so I can hopefully get rid of the stupid light!

*txmica3* · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2007, 01:19:05 AM »

Quote from: LG Paul on August 06, 2007, 08:31:24 PM

Check engine light is now on, of course it was inevitable. Will get the bung welded in this week, so I can hopefully get rid of the stupid light!

aw

lol well you had a good test run..

back to the smelling like exhaust.. i noticed after i took out my second cat that would happen after i got a lil pedal happy, but lately i dont notice it anymore. either its gone or im just used to it.. maybe it just needs a break in time to coat the lil slits and openings in the pipe so no more gas can escape.

dimaorlov · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2007, 04:22:15 AM »

how about gaskets unless you dont have flanges..

The Spaz · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2007, 11:22:20 AM »

I need this now. Also on crossover auto's website they have it on sale for $440.00 with free shipping to the lower 48 states.

*txmica3* · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2007, 03:58:43 PM »

Quote from: dimaorlov on August 07, 2007, 04:22:15 AM

how about gaskets unless you dont have flanges..

borla is slip clamp design. prolly why it smelled a lil at first, but its fine now.

eurotuner · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2007, 05:03:27 PM »

i dont have a vibrant header, or CBE, but i luv my strutbar.

they make very good products.

*txmica3* · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2007, 05:06:12 PM »

Quote from: eurotuner on August 07, 2007, 05:03:27 PM

i dont have a vibrant header, or CBE, but i luv my strutbar.

they make very good products.

+1 one of the few performance parts i would buy used.

The original Mazda3-based forum.

Author Topic: Vibrant FTW! UPDATE: Installed! (Read 1251 times)