DC5 BASE HEADERS /EXHAUST/CAI Q's!

[henrydinh]

Hi guys ,
I've got a luxury base 06 dc5 and need help with a couple of things.

1) Installed injen cai the other day, but in the process of doing so accidentally snapped the air temperature sensor. Now the sensor wasn't snapped clean off and there are no engine lights on the dash, however should I just replace the sensor? It'll cost $95 from Honda, havent been able to find any wreckers parting that.

2) Ive got a custom 2.5 inch cat back, however its not producing the loud crisp sound that I want it to produce. It's a humming sound. So will installing headers and a hi flow cat help? (I know ill be spending at least another grand for little hp gains but I really love that crisp sound).
If so, should I go for an xforce header with a built in hi flow cat or PLM headers where most likely, Ill be purchasing an xforce cat in addition ?

3) Just on the topic of sound and CAI, for a base model when i fitted the injen cai, I did not notice a vtec cross over? Is this just the unfortunate build of a dc5 base engine? Didnt notice a louder sound either pass 4000 rpm.. Maybe set up was incorrect?

If anyone can help me out with this, I'd greatly appreciate it
Henry

[Snoop_gee]

Hi Henry
Based on the information provided
my thoughts are



1/ Air temp sensor can and should be purchased. As for the price is there anyway you can find it cheaper online overseas or even thru via the ozhonda sponsors.
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?53683-Genuine-OEM-Honda-Parts-*JDMyard*

2/ Exhaust wise with the existing 2.5 custom catback exhaust is it mandrel bent piping , is there any resonators or additional mufflers? Got pics of your setup? This can effect the way the exhaust sounds.
As for headers and high flow cat is all to benefit the engine perform better so I wouldn’t be too worried if its only for lil Hp gains .
I believe I made a similar post regarding DC5 exhaust perhaps look into.



Keep the stock header and add a resonated test pipe to your DC5s
http://www.meganracing.com/uploadimage/regular/972010_114121_4007_MR-CC-HC02SI.jpg

It wont be too loud and the sound might just be crisp sound your looking for.

3/ spend some time in the link below its a good read and will probably answer most of these questions
Upgrading CAI & Exhaust (DC5) (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?149012-Upgrading-CAI-amp-Exhaust-%28DC5%29)

[rossirider]

You bought the wrong car if you want vtec

[DakDak]

Hi guys ,
I've got a luxury base 06 dc5 and need help with a couple of things.

1) Installed injen cai the other day, but in the process of doing so accidentally snapped the air temperature sensor. Now the sensor wasn't snapped clean off and there are no engine lights on the dash, however should I just replace the sensor? It'll cost $95 from Honda, havent been able to find any wreckers parting that.

2) Ive got a custom 2.5 inch cat back, however its not producing the loud crisp sound that I want it to produce. It's a humming sound. So will installing headers and a hi flow cat help? (I know ill be spending at least another grand for little hp gains but I really love that crisp sound).
If so, should I go for an xforce header with a built in hi flow cat or PLM headers where most likely, Ill be purchasing an xforce cat in addition ?

3) Just on the topic of sound and CAI, for a base model when i fitted the injen cai, I did not notice a vtec cross over? Is this just the unfortunate build of a dc5 base engine? Didnt notice a louder sound either pass 4000 rpm.. Maybe set up was incorrect?

If anyone can help me out with this, I'd greatly appreciate it
Henry

1. Oemacuraparts.com is your best friend.

2. Headers and a Hi-flow cat will increase the sound. Try to aim for a 100CPSI (Cells per square inch) and a metal one as well as this means less cell density and so less restriction, and the metal is more resilient that ceramic cats. Bear in mind your Primary (header) and Secondary (inside the cat) 02 sensors may through up a CEL. More the secondary than primary. Only way to get rid of this is a secondary 02 bung/defouler or whatever its called that tricks the sensor. You can remove and disable it if you had a KPRO but thats overkill.

3. Yea sounds about right for the base/luxury model. You've got the wrong model of DC5 if you want VTEC. Soz.

[NOSBOH13]

I have skunk2 headers an I'm really happy with it, my vtec sounds amazing

[NOSBOH13]

But I have a I hen cold air intake with a apexi high flow pod filter skunk headers with full exhaust and a high flow cat I'm extremely happy with my sound!

[curtis265]

1. Oemacuraparts.com is your best friend.

2. Headers and a Hi-flow cat will increase the sound. Try to aim for a 100CPSI (Cells per square inch) and a metal one as well as this means less cell density and so less restriction, and the metal is more resilient that ceramic cats. Bear in mind your Primary (header) and Secondary (inside the cat) 02 sensors may through up a CEL. More the secondary than primary. Only way to get rid of this is a secondary 02 bung/defouler or whatever its called that tricks the sensor. You can remove and disable it if you had a KPRO but thats overkill.

3. Yea sounds about right for the base/luxury model. You've got the wrong model of DC5 if you want VTEC. Soz.

1. hondapartsdirect is also very good


I have skunk2 headers an I'm really happy with it, my vtec sounds amazing

we are dealing with an integra luxury here, not type R or S

[henrydinh]

haha thanks for your help. Found a second hand one on ozhonda for $35 !

for the hi flow cat - whats the difference between a 100 and 200 CPSI one? and is the increase in sound, will that just mean my humming is louder? ... or will it give me the crisp sound im after :)

[dougie_504]

Glad to hear you sorted out the sensor.

Is your cat-back mild steel or stainless steel? Mild steel is more of a hum/drone/throbbing sound. Stainless is a higher pitch/scream. Also what muffler are you running?

For the header XForce is fine. They cop a lot of crap but from what I've seen of their work it's a decent header at a good price. PLM is just a replica but a decent one also.


As for your crossover, don't get upset about it. A loud crossover is just indicative of a rather average torque curve IE the power increases significantly with VTEC. Your crossover is weak because you have a base model engine and the VTEC isn't aggressive. There's nothing wrong, but if you want a louder crossover then consider some camshafts. Will cost you money and you might need to upgrade your valvetrain but it'll make power and noise.



But I have a I hen cold air intake with a apexi high flow pod filter skunk headers with full exhaust and a high flow cat I'm extremely happy with my sound!

This is because you have a Type R. OP has a base model.

[henrydinh]

Glad to hear you sorted out the sensor.

Is your cat-back mild steel or stainless steel? Mild steel is more of a hum/drone/throbbing sound. Stainless is a higher pitch/scream. Also what muffler are you running?

For the header XForce is fine. They cop a lot of crap but from what I've seen of their work it's a decent header at a good price. PLM is just a replica but a decent one also.


As for your crossover, don't get upset about it. A loud crossover is just indicative of a rather average torque curve IE the power increases significantly with VTEC. Your crossover is weak because you have a base model engine and the VTEC isn't aggressive. There's nothing wrong, but if you want a louder crossover then consider some camshafts. Will cost you money and you might need to upgrade your valvetrain but it'll make power and noise.



I was told that my catback was a stainless steel one. Drove a couple of cars recently with their 2.5 inch catbacks. They produce a similar sound to mind tbh. Then I drove a few other cars with a hi flow cat and headers and definitely noticed a better sound. It was like a combination of sound from the engine as well as exhaust. So hopefully that hi flow cat n headers will help? As for the muffler Im not too sure what I have. Ill upload pics when im free!

Still not sure with Xforce or PLM , xforce headers will save me about $200 as it comes with a built in hi flow cat.. but if PLM is better I'd rather go for that. Still doing some reading and research on it and from what i can tell PLM headers are more popular?

haha yeah i now realise that I bought the wrong car for vtec, but its only my first car so it'll be fun just doing simple mods on this to begin with!

Another question - in the morning, when i start my car and drive it off straight away I can hear the pod and cai working at about 4000 rpm +
However once the engine warms up then there's no distinction and its hard to tell that I am running an injen cai. Any comments?
When the cai was installed, I've yet to remove the fog light covers. Will removing it make a difference?

Thanks again for your help !

[dougie_504]

More popular but not for any proven reason.

I would have no reservations using XForce. Like I said the quality is good from personal experience (B18 header), and their customer support is always great/accessible whereas dealing with PLM could be more difficult as they are less established/contactable.

Have never installed a cat converter in isolation but from the header installs I've done I have noticed a change in exhaust note for sure.

Removing fog light covers will make minimal difference but if the pod filter is directly behind the cover then I'd remove it simply because you can without too much drama. So you can hear it at 4,000 RPM cold, but not 4,000 warm? Not sure on that, only thing I can think of is that your engine is probably running richer when cold and changing the intake note. However I wouldn't rev a cold engine to 4,000 personally. Would keep it to 3,000 or less.

[DakDak]

Most engine wear occurs when your engine is cold. So revving your car when its not at operating temperature is very detrimental

[henrydinh]

Yeah the pod is actually right behind the cover. Im just worried that if I move it, it'll expose the pod and sydney has a very rainy month ahead.
And as for the intake note, I havent revved it past 4000 rpm on cold anymore. When its warm there is no distinction in the notes, but when the engine was cold there was a massive distinction. The sound is amazing at about 5000 rpm +. Is there anyway to get that sound when the engine is warm?

[henrydinh]

Yeah the pod is actually right behind the cover. Im just worried that if I move it, it'll expose the pod and sydney has a very rainy month ahead.
And as for the intake note, I havent revved it past 4000 rpm on cold anymore. When its warm there is no distinction in the notes, but when the engine was cold there was a massive distinction. The sound is amazing at about 5000 rpm +. Is there anyway to get that sound when the engine is warm?