what is the differance between ceramic and stainless steel headers and 4-2-1 and 4-1 and which are better for racing and should i get ceramic or stainless steel headers???? for a 98 civic
1) 4-1 is less restrictive than 4-2-1. However 4-2-1 are more common since they are cheaper to make and sometimes easier to install. 4-1 headers are usually more expensive and are more commonly used in racing applications.
2) Ceramic headers are cheaper than Stainless Steel ones. Ceramic headers are made of mild steel with a ceramic coating. This is great for reducing heat. Good for spirited street driving. Ceramic headers require more attention since the coating can chip (rust & cracks develop where there's a chip in the coating), and mild steel just isn't as strong as stainless steel and dents easier when going over speed bumps.
Stainless Steel headers are a lot more durable and are stronger. Most of the high end headers (ANR, SMSP, Hytech) are made of stainless steel.
For racing applications, most racers go with stainless steel. Some go with 4-2-1 some with 4-1. Some racers wrap their headers to reduce heat in the engine bay.
The top two are of 4-1 design.
Good luck, have fun.
STAINLESS 4.5" TIP CAT CATBACK RACING EXHAUST 92-00 HONDA CIVIC DX LX EX EG EK, 96-00 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK STAINLESS RACING 4.5" TIP CATBACK CAT BACK EXHAUST, 88-00 CIVIC 90-01 INTEGRA D15 D16 B16 JDM 2.5'' STAINLESS STEEL RACING TEST PIPE, 88-91 CIVIC DX LX 4-2-1 STAINLESS OBX RACING HEADER, STAINLESS RACING MANIFOLD HEADER/EXHAUST 06-09 HONDA CIVIC SI K20Z3 KA20Z3 FG2, STAINLESS STEEL RACING MANIFOLD HEADER/EXHAUST HONDA CIVIC/CRX/DEL SOL D-SERIES, STAINLESS STEEL RACING EXHAUST DOWNPIPE DOWN PIPE 01-05 HONDA CIVIC EX EM ES EM2, STAINLESS 4-2-1 RACING HEADER+DOWNPIPE TRI-Y EXHAUST 06-11 HONDA CIVIC Si FG2 FD, CIVIC/CRX/DEL SOL SOHC D15 D16 HEADER+EXHAUST+MUFFLER FULL STAINLESS STEEL RACE , JVT RACING STAINLESS STEEL PERFORMANCE DOWNPIPE HONDA CIVIC 02-05 SI EP3 K20A3, 01-05 HONDA CIVIC DX LX EM2 ES1 STAINLESS STEEL RACE EXHAUST HEADER SOHC 1.7L, APEX Stainless Steel Brake Lines Hose Racing Honda Civic 01 02 03 04 05 w/disc, STAINLESS RACING HEADER/EXHAUST -DC2 GSR/TYPE-R CIVIC EM INTEGRA B-SERIES 92-01, 4-1 STAINLESS RACING MANIFOLD HEADER/EXHAUST JDM INTEGRA GSR/TYPE-R CIVIC SI B18, STAINLESS STEEL RACING EXHAUST HEADER 00-06 RSX DC5 CIVIC SI EP3 K20 K20A K20A2, TRI-Y STAINLESS RACING MANIFOLD HEADER/EXHAUST 94-01 INTEGRA/CIVIC SI GSR/TYPE-R, 01-05 HONDA CIVIC DX LX EM2 ES1 STAINLESS STEEL RACE EXHAUST HEADER SOHC 1.7L, 01-05 CIVIC DX LX 1.7L CHROME STAINLESS RACING HEADER, 92-00 CIVIC 2/4 DOOR JDM RACING CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM T-304 STAINLESS STEEL, STAINLESS RACING MANIFOLD HEADER/EXHAUST 01-05 HONDA CIVIC DX/LX D17A1 1.7L ONLY, 99-00 CIVIC SI DC-S 4-1 B16 1PC STAINLESS RACING HEADER, CIVIC/CRX/DEL SOL SOHC D15 D16 PERFORMANCE STAINLESS STEEL RACE HEADER+EXHAUST, STAINLESS STEEL RACING EXHAUST DOWNPIPE DOWN PIPE 02-05 HONDA CIVIC SI EP3 HB 3D, APEX Stainless Steel Brake Lines Hose Racing Honda Civic 01 02 03 04 05 w/disc, 92-95 96-00 HONDA CIVIC 2DR 4DR STAINLESS CATBACK EXHAUST MUFFLER+RACING HEADER, 92-95 96-00 HONDA CIVIC 2/4DR STAINLESS CATBACK EXHAUST MUFFLER+RACING HEADER, 92-00 HONDA CIVIC 2D/4D STAINLESS CATBACK EXHAUST + 4-2-1 RACING HEADER, 90-02 ACCORD 92-01 PRELUDE F22 F23 JDM 2.5'' STAINLESS STEEL RACING TEST PIPE, Megan Stainless Steel Downpipe Civic 01 02 03 04 05 EX, JVT RACING STAINLESS STEEL PERFORMANCE DOWNPIPE HONDA CIVIC 02-05 SI EP3 K20A3,
