what type of legal header is best?

[homelessmonkey]

hey, im looking into aftermarket headers for an 03 zx3 with 16v zetec engine, was just wondering everyones input on which are the best. Im curenttly living in ontario, canada which have emission standers but were changing to the new test that will read your car’s computer history to see if your vehicle meets emissions standards. does that mean i could get a one piece header cause ive heard theres more gain out of them then short headers? But if i do get anykind of header do i also have to change my cat and flex pipe to aftermarket? cause ive heard it could up your cat n flex pipe because of the increase air flow. i am currently running a magnaflow 2.25 in exhaust so im good with that.

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[pyroinsa]

SVT header, cat and flex. You will have to weld in an egr bung to make it legal, but other than that, I don't see any reason why that one wouldn't pass any inspection. It is also by far the best header for the Zetec.

[seventystangfan]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking I need a new gasket on mine anyway, so this is getting bumped up on the list.

[zetecDon]

As he said above. The SVT header, catalytic converter and flex-pipe is the route to take. You can use other set ups but it more than likely will be more expensive to piece everything together properly to pass inspections.

[homelessmonkey]

thanks for the info, do you know any online sites that sell them or can i get them second hand ?
i was looking at the elderbrock shorty headers cause i dont think i have the money to change header, cat and flex pipe i was wondering if it would work with factory cat and flex pipe?

[ZX3Xr]

I`ve had a MRBP catback for some time and just added the Edelbrock shorty and then I got an unwelcome vibration from the resonance at 4K. The original cat had the guts knocked out so its like a straight pipe. Could not stand the sound and vibration so I had a high flow cat installed where the flex was and the flex is now under the oil pan. It is a nice sound now with less vibration and resonance, but some remains. The installer said the high flow cat would be better than a muffler to quiet the car because its more dense and no room to fit a muffler. If you still have the original cat your results may differ.