I have a 98 Civic Ex, I just got a 2.25'' Full Exhaust and was unsure about what kind of header I should get, I've been told 4-1 or 4-2-1, Chrome or Ceramic? Which is the best choice?

4-2-1 and ceramic. The 4-2-1 give more power in the mid range where a street car needs it. If you had a drag car you'd go with a 4-1 because it gives you more power in the top end where you want the engine to be at all times.

Ceramic coating is better at keeping the heat down, less heat = more power

4-2-1 (4,1 & 2,3)
Same reason as GScivic7 said. They're better for street cars... low and mid. And ceramic is cooler than stainless steel. The only advantages I can think of is that stainless looks nicer, and if you have a slammed ride.. it wont crack if you hit something.

i have been looking into the same thing myself

would it be far to say then that the 4-2-1 header are better if you dont plan on going above about 70mph very often ?


the 4-1 headers are better for top speeds?
or am i way off
i dont understand it myself

4-1 headers aren't necessarily better for top speeds. It'll give you more power to get there in the top end faster, but won't actually improve your top speed much.

4-1 header is an ideal drag car header. When you drag race you want to stay in high rpm where your power is at. 4-1 headers improve hp and torque in that high rev range.

I have a 98 Civic Ex, I just got a 2.25'' Full Exhaust and was unsure about what kind of header I should get, I've been told 4-1 or 4-2-1, Chrome or Ceramic? Which is the best choice?
like everyone is saying. 4-2-1 is prob good but u have to kinda tell us what ur looking for out of ur car and what ur plans are.
btw:should send me ur stock ex manifold when u get done :grinyes:

which would be better for forced air induction

like everyone is saying. 4-2-1 is prob good but u have to kinda tell us what ur looking for out of ur car and what ur plans are.
btw:should send me ur stock ex manifold when u get done :grinyes:

im looking for low/mid ranged power, so what would be the best for that? 4-1 or 4-2-1? i know im definitely going with ceramic.

4-2-1 and ceramic. The 4-2-1 give more power in the mid range where a street car needs it. If you had a drag car you'd go with a 4-1 because it gives you more power in the top end where you want the engine to be at all times.

Ceramic coating is better at keeping the heat down, less heat = more power
Gscivic answered it for ya. 4-2-1

awesome, then my final decision is a 4-2-1 ceramic header. thanks a lot for the help guys. :bananasmi

i hear DC makes the best ones

any thoughts

i agree, to a point. There are better ones out there, but they are expensive ie Bisimoto

which would be better for forced air induction

neither, turbo manifold. or if youre talking about a SC, its still going to provide the same results. 4-1 for high rpm, 4-2-1 for low-mid rpm

i was talkin a about a SC

boo on SC...turbo or bust

I would go with 4-2-1 headers and probably get stainless simply because ceramic does perform a little better but i don't think it would be worth the price difference. If both sets are the same price, then get the ceramic. I have ceramic coated 4-2-1 on my '97 civic d16 and they no9t only perform, but with the right exhaust and tip they sound awesome.

eh, stainless steel is more expensive...

Also, ceramics aren't about looks, they are about performance. The insulating properties of ceramic coatings make for all kinds of little benefits. Oh, and ceramic headers sound slightly different than stainless of the same design. The heavier the coating, the less metallic the sound.