Drivetrain OBX Header Questions
From what I read in the link it seems as if he would want me to mail in my stock header and cat in exchange for an OBX header with my stock cat welded on for $300, hence the "cat exchange". Maybe I will have to just call Helix to get clarification. If he doesn't need me to mail anything in, I would be all over this offer, but if he does need me to I guess I'll have to go down the ebay route.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 248
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From: Orange County
That's true, but my Mini is my daily driver and I would prefer not drive around without a cat until I get the OBX shipped back from Helix 
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 824
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach, CA
I just got off the phone with Helix a few minutes ago about this. Here is what they said:
- $300 with "core exchange" (you send them a cat with your order
- $400 without (in other words, $100 for the cat & you get to keep (or sell on ebay or whatever your stock unit)
...and etither way, it's a fast remove and replace operation so that you don't have to pay a welder and wait for your stock cat to be removed and rewelded)
- for an additional $200, Helix is also ceramic coating the header before it ships to me
-$6.50 for a gasket
So, I'm getting in a few weeks a OBX, CAT, ceramic-coated, Helix-backed unit with new gaskets on both ends, that can just bolt right in where the OEM unit was for $606.50 (plus shipping) and I keep my stock unit in tact.
I might have been able to bargain with them on the ceramic coating, but I didn't try.
I should have it in a few weeks. I've decided to have it installed by Fireballed and ask them to match the flange to the existing head and do a tune for me at the same time.
Wahoo! (I think, so far)
- $300 with "core exchange" (you send them a cat with your order
- $400 without (in other words, $100 for the cat & you get to keep (or sell on ebay or whatever your stock unit)
...and etither way, it's a fast remove and replace operation so that you don't have to pay a welder and wait for your stock cat to be removed and rewelded)
- for an additional $200, Helix is also ceramic coating the header before it ships to me
-$6.50 for a gasket
So, I'm getting in a few weeks a OBX, CAT, ceramic-coated, Helix-backed unit with new gaskets on both ends, that can just bolt right in where the OEM unit was for $606.50 (plus shipping) and I keep my stock unit in tact.
I might have been able to bargain with them on the ceramic coating, but I didn't try.
I should have it in a few weeks. I've decided to have it installed by Fireballed and ask them to match the flange to the existing head and do a tune for me at the same time.
Wahoo! (I think, so far)
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Orange County
I wish I still lived on the East Coast. Then I could just drive my car to Helix and get it done right.
Markldriskill, since you are getting a new OBX header w/ stock cat from Helix, would you be willing to part with your stock header and cat? I live close to Long Beach so you wouldn't have to ship it.
Markldriskill, since you are getting a new OBX header w/ stock cat from Helix, would you be willing to part with your stock header and cat? I live close to Long Beach so you wouldn't have to ship it.
I just got off the phone with Helix a few minutes ago about this. Here is what they said:
- $300 with "core exchange" (you send them a cat with your order
- $400 without (in other words, $100 for the cat & you get to keep (or sell on ebay or whatever your stock unit)
...and etither way, it's a fast remove and replace operation so that you don't have to pay a welder and wait for your stock cat to be removed and rewelded)
- for an additional $200, Helix is also ceramic coating the header before it ships to me
-$6.50 for a gasket
So, I'm getting in a few weeks a OBX, CAT, ceramic-coated, Helix-backed unit with new gaskets on both ends, that can just bolt right in where the OEM unit was for $606.50 (plus shipping) and I keep my stock unit in tact.
I might have been able to bargain with them on the ceramic coating, but I didn't try.
I should have it in a few weeks. I've decided to have it installed by Fireballed and ask them to match the flange to the existing head and do a tune for me at the same time.
Wahoo! (I think, so far)
- $300 with "core exchange" (you send them a cat with your order
- $400 without (in other words, $100 for the cat & you get to keep (or sell on ebay or whatever your stock unit)
...and etither way, it's a fast remove and replace operation so that you don't have to pay a welder and wait for your stock cat to be removed and rewelded)
- for an additional $200, Helix is also ceramic coating the header before it ships to me
-$6.50 for a gasket
So, I'm getting in a few weeks a OBX, CAT, ceramic-coated, Helix-backed unit with new gaskets on both ends, that can just bolt right in where the OEM unit was for $606.50 (plus shipping) and I keep my stock unit in tact.
I might have been able to bargain with them on the ceramic coating, but I didn't try.
I should have it in a few weeks. I've decided to have it installed by Fireballed and ask them to match the flange to the existing head and do a tune for me at the same time.
Wahoo! (I think, so far)
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 824
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach, CA
I wish I still lived on the East Coast. Then I could just drive my car to Helix and get it done right.
Markldriskill, since you are getting a new OBX header w/ stock cat from Helix, would you be willing to part with your stock header and cat? I live close to Long Beach so you wouldn't have to ship it.
Markldriskill, since you are getting a new OBX header w/ stock cat from Helix, would you be willing to part with your stock header and cat? I live close to Long Beach so you wouldn't have to ship it.
I am considering hanging on to it in case of SMOG trouble down the road. Course, I guess the smart thing would be to sell it. I'll let you know well before New Year's Day; and if I do, it will be a reasonable price. FYI, it'll have about 42,500 miles by the time it gets uninstalled. Give some thought as to what you might offer. I frankly have no idea!! I caution you, though, I am a UCLA alum. In either case, I'm going to wait until I get the new installed, though, and have a couple of days to drive with it.
Can you wait until early January (my guess when it would be available)? Let me know. If I do decide to sell it, I will give you first shot in spite of your collegiate allegiances
. We'll talk more if you can wait for a bit.Bart -
Thanks. We'll see. But what really put it over the edge for me is Helix' involvement. Their rep is so sterling that I know I can't go wrong.
I am going to be counting the days for a couple of weeks, and then the hours for several days, I'm sure.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 248
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From: Orange County
Markldriskill - Since your stock cat will already have had about 42,500 miles I might try and source a cat from somewhere else. Thanks for the offer though, and in case I can't find a better alternative do keep me in mind in case you decide to sell it.
And FIGHT ON!
And FIGHT ON!
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 248
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From: Orange County
PerformancePeddler.com has universal fit Magnaflow high flow cats (part 94136) that others have used for the Mini on sale for ~$60 and free shipping to lower 48 right now. In case anyone else is looking for a new cat, this looks like a good deal.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: Los Scandelous, CA
Here you go.
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=...r:regT:3:fbT:1
It's a family-owned business and so far I like their work. If anything goes wrong, they will fix it.
P.S. When I got my Invidia exhaust (02-04 fitment), they were the ones who modified the exhaust hangers to fit my 05 for $10.
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=...r:regT:3:fbT:1
It's a family-owned business and so far I like their work. If anything goes wrong, they will fix it.
P.S. When I got my Invidia exhaust (02-04 fitment), they were the ones who modified the exhaust hangers to fit my 05 for $10.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
4) Yes, you will notice a difference with the header. I had almost the same mods as you also, and it was noticeable. It's all a midrange gain though. You probably wont gain any peak horsepower or torque, but from 3000-5000rpm I gained almost 10 ft-lbs of torque and about 5 horsepower at the wheels. Makes passing on the highway in 6th gear a breeze. You won't regret getting it!
Thanks
Helix involvement out wieghs the few extra $$. make sure you give us your SOP imressiones once the header is installed.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 824
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach, CA
Will get dyno'd before and after, and will post both butt and scientific dyno results.
Helix said to expect delivery 3-4 weeks (for the coating) so, just before Christmas(?) but may not get installed until first or second week in January.
Stay tuned.
Helix said to expect delivery 3-4 weeks (for the coating) so, just before Christmas(?) but may not get installed until first or second week in January.
Stay tuned.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 2
From: SoCaL (Agoura Hills)
Congrats! You'll love it! I got tired of my rattling buzzing one-ball exhaust and replaced it with the Invidia! It's loud, but I like it.
P.S. I'd be weary of installing any aftermarket high flow cats on your car, people seem to be reporting a lot of problems with them, they'll also increase the noise of course, but that's not really bad I suppose. PM ThumperMCS for more info on high flow cats. I know he suspects that his has failed (I think he has a Random Tech Cat)
P.S. I'd be weary of installing any aftermarket high flow cats on your car, people seem to be reporting a lot of problems with them, they'll also increase the noise of course, but that's not really bad I suppose
. PM ThumperMCS for more info on high flow cats. I know he suspects that his has failed (I think he has a Random Tech Cat)
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 248
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From: Orange County
I'm sure I'll love it. I just need to stop spending money on my Mini! I already have a set of H-sport springs and Alta control arms waiting to be installed, and now the obx.
And I heard an Invidia Exhaust the last time I was at Steve's Auto. It was loud but really nice! And you gotta love the blue titanium tips!
I already have a set of H-sport springs and Alta control arms waiting to be installed, and now the obx.And I heard an Invidia Exhaust the last time I was at Steve's Auto. It was loud but really nice! And you gotta love the blue titanium tips!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 265
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From: @ HELIX
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 248
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From: Orange County
I wish I could make it to Helix for my install. If only I were still living in Maryland I would be there in a second. The places I've called so far have been way north of that price.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 172
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I have that header too. I have noticed that the heat under the bonnet it's higher.
With that header i remove original head shield on the upper side of the header. It's too small for new header.
I am thinking about that http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=DEI-010102
Does anybody have any experience with it? It's help anything?
The heat under the bonnet is the enemy, so we must eliminate it.
With that header i remove original head shield on the upper side of the header. It's too small for new header.
I am thinking about that http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=DEI-010102
Does anybody have any experience with it? It's help anything?
The heat under the bonnet is the enemy, so we must eliminate it.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Anyway I would like know the first hand experience with that "exaust" tape. Both the tape and heat shield will be the best solution i think?
Bye
Wow. Very reasonable price..! I must be there early next year now... wait for my call..
http://www.centuryperformance.com/heatwraps.asp
Jim