The Temple of VTEC - Honda and Acura Enthusiasts Online - Articles - TOV Project TSX Product Test: Comptech Stainless 4-2-1 Headers: Dyno Results and Conclusions

Dyno Results

A few days following the installation of the Comptech header, we pointed our project TSX A-Spec west and headed over to Dynolab, Inc. of Marietta, GA. It had only been a few weeks since we tested the DC Sports Header on the car, so to avoid having to reinstall the stock exhaust manifold in between, we decided not to rebaseline the car. On the dyno, the Comptech performed similarly to the DC Sports header, but it did manage to squeak out a few more horsepower up top. Below 6600 rpm or so, the curves are nearly identical. But above that point, the horsepower (and torque) curve nosedives rapidly with the DC Sports, while the Comptech actually continues to create power to above 7000 rpm. The difference amounts to a difference of only around 2-3 hp, so it's really quite negligible. At the moment, technical difficulties with our dynojet run viewing software are preventing me from showing a graph comparing the two plots directly.

Conclusions

For about $135 more than the DC Sports, Comptech's TSX Header offers basically equivalent performance. For the extra cash spent, you get a nicer looking header, one-piece stainless construction vs the two-piece ceramic coated mild steel DC Sports piece, and the Comptech is slightly lighter in weight. Either way you go, you're getting a pretty decent bang for your buck and the difference will be noticeable compared to stock. If you're planning to get a Hondata ECU reflash for your TSX, you'll definitely want to get a header to go along with it. Add in the relative ease with which it is installed, and you have an all around winner.

Comptech Stainless Steel 4-2-1 Header for Acura TSX

	Install and Test Date:		April, 2005
	Miles Tested:		~3000 miles
	MSRP		$569.00
	Calculated Gain (vs. stock)		+~10hp, +~4lb-ft
	Weight		11.0 lbs
	Weight Savings (vs. Stock)		10.3 lbs

Pros
	Reasonably priced for Stainless
	Excellent Build Quality
	Noticeable improvement in performance on the dyno and on the road*
	Little noticeable change in sound level*
Cons
	Little to no performance benefit vs less costly alternative
	It's a beautiful piece, yet is nearly invisible under the hood

* Note: tested in combination with AEM Short Ram Intake system.

More Information

Please be sure to visit Comptech's website to learn more about their TSX headers.
Hondata.com

Special Thanks

Thanks once again to Dynolab of Marietta, GA for providing us with the services of their dynojet. We would also like to thank Comptech USA for providing the header used in this test.

Dyno Results

Conclusions

More Information

Special Thanks

Next Test: Comptech Icebox Intake