Originally posted by Andy
If your going with a test pipe, I'm assuming emissions aren't an issue where you live. I put a test pipe on my hybrid for about a week. The exhaust went from deep and loud to fartty and loud and I couldn't take it. Well, I live in southern CA, so emissions are an issue, but I don't really give a shit. I don't have another smog for over about a year. As far as the exhaust note, I was very worried about it being too farty sounding with a test pipe as well, but I spoke with another dood who was running almost the same setup (ITR vs CTR header, which is the same thing, and the same Tanabe cat-back, and he said it was loud but wasn't farty). I guess I'll have to find out. *crosses fingers*
I don't think a CTR header will be overkill (a bad choice of words on my part, sorry) but I though maybe you went hunting for one and paid like $500 for it. Without the insanely high rpm range and breathing capabilities of VTEC cams, your probably not going to push enough exhaust out of that head to really see the benefit of the larger pipes and big collector. Still should work fine, but probably isn't going to really shine above a good smaller/cheaper DC header. Well, I agree with you there brotha. But if you came up on the deal that I did, it makes a DC header price sound overly expensive. In other words, I paid a ridiculously miniscule amount for the header that most heads are paying a grip for.

I though about the clearance issues too but didn't post anything. I've heard the B16B was a destroked B18C spec R block, rather than a B16A block with higher comrpession pistons but I've never seen one to really know for sure. If you tested fitted it, I'd like to know the results. I test fitted it last night. In fact, the header is still attached to the motor on the stand right now, and it fits perfectly. Sits rather close to the block/oil pan and all, but no touching. I guess it is a destroked 1.8-R block (I was told that the CTR motor has the same deck height as a 1.8, so its one of the two or both I guess).

If you don't mind me asking, is your B20 a JDM engine? I have a B18C1 tranny from my hybrid left from parting my motor out and I've been thinking of buying a USDM B20Z (or at least trying to find one) and putting it into my '98 Civic EX. I don't really want to have to convert back to OBD I and use a JDM engine but I haven't had much look finding USDM B20's. I may just say piss on it and and buy an adaptor harness but probably not till after winter (I don't have a heated garage).My motor is a JDM B20b. Why would you have to convert back to obd-1? Just check whatever motor distributor you get your shit from, and get an obd-2 B20. My B20 is a 96. We just used my LS throttle body and intake manifold to make it work with my wire harness (I had a 94 b181 in there before. That and it will be run by the factory LS computer. Am I missing something, or isn't it that simple?