ok so 2 weeks ago i posted about my DC headers i installed on my ACCORD. and i said that there was a whistling noise coming from the bottom and it sounded like a volkswagen bug. all of you said it was a leak somewhere. so today i took it to 2 different performance shops. they both said it was the flex pipe on the bottom (close to where the headers connect to the cat). the flex pipe is that metal mesh wiring type looking thing. basically i got a bad part from DC sports. one shop said they couldnt do nothing about it. the other shop said they can replace it for 120$. my question is, is it even possible to change that out? and if it is, is 120$ too much that theyre asking for? im thinking they might have to weld some stuff.

 

if u got that from DC then why dont you get a refund or an exchange, they have warranties on most of what they sell.

 

wow, someone finally replied. lol. well just an update on that, i called DC and they wanted me to send the part to them so they can run tests on it and either fix it or replace it. but that would mean i would have to pay someone to install my old headers, then pay someone again to install the new headers when i get them. i dont want to do it my self cuz i have almost no tools and no lift and i get fustrated when i have to work in tight spots. so i decided to pay that performance shop to replace the flex pipe. he brought it down to 110$. i just want that annoying, embarassing noise to go away.

 

ok there is a huge topic on this at cb7tuner.com, almost every aftermarket flex pipe makes that noise. i had mine replaced, by a profressional all welded and tested for leaks. it made that sound, i drove it back in had another one put on, still the same noise, went on cb7 and there are probably 120 posts from people who had the flex pipe replaced and made that noise.

if you want to get rid of the noise get an OEM flex pipe and have it welded on. thats the only solution i have came across in my search.

 

yo 93EXaccord, i hope you read this cuz it seems to me that your the only one who knows about this on this site. (no offense to anyone). well i wanted to let you know that what you wrote, happened to me. i went to get a new flex pipe and the shop cut the old one off and welded a new one. and i was so furious when i drove out of the shop and i still had that same sound. i went back to the shop and asked them what tha hell was going on cuz i paid them 110$ to replace something they told me was wrong. they guy said my flex pipe needed to be changed anyway cuz there was a leak but i think he just said that cuz he didnt want to give me my money back. he also added, and this is very important and i dont know if its true, but he said that all aftermarket headers make this noise. he said the noise is due to the thin metal walls of the pipes. he said the stock headers have really thick metal walls. so he said the thin walls cause you to hear this noise which sounds like a buzzing, almost like a volkswagen bug. so my question to you 93EXaccord is, was this guy lying to me, do all aftermarket headers make this noise? also, did you replace your flex pipe with an OEM flex pipe? if so, did the noise stop? the new flex pipe that was welded on my car had a double barrier so it should be a good one. i still have my old headers, if i were to install the flex pipe from my old headers to the aftermarket ones, would i get rid of that noise? any advice would help or is it just like the shop owner told me "if you want performance, your gonna have to get used to that noise". please get back at me 93EXaccord

 

93EXaccord, still waitin for your answer buddy.

 

sorry ive been busy as hell, and to my knowledge all headers dont make that sound. i dont have an aftermarket header, for the ex accord its really a waster of money. honestly if you still have the stock flex pipe on your old exhaust and its good, put that on, it should solve your problems.

did you happen to compare wall thickness of uer old manifold, to the new header? cause thin walls could produce more noise, but not that horrid meatal scraping sound under acceleration (you know what i mean). and if you find put the old OEM flex pipe on and it solves your problem, i would shove the new one up that guys ass and get your money back.

 

i did compare the wall thickness, the new aftermarket DC headers do have a thinner metal wall. so i think the guy from the shop might be right. and the sound isnt like a metal scraping sound, its more of a buzzing. im also skeptical to put the old flex pipe on cuz for some strange reason i feel like the sound will still be there. and it would suck if i paid someone to cut the old flex pipe from my old headers, then cut the flex pipe on my new headers, and then weld it. that would cost some money and if the sound was still there, id be pretty pissed.

well i really appreciate your comments and your advice. i think im just gonna live with that sound. when i drive normal you cant really hear it. its not till i hit the gas pedal hard that it will make that sound. once again, thanks.

 

well that metal scraping sound is more like a tangy buzz, and im 99% sure that tang is from the flex pipe. comprare under the car your old on vs new, i will garuntee that your new one is half the size of your OEM one. now imagine if you hit the gas and the engine rocks back (accord engines rock like hell) the longer OEM flex pipe will slightly flex and you will have no sound, the shorter one will have to bend alot more to compensate for the lack of length. when it bends more the weaved metal will bind, i do belive this is what makes that metal tang sound, but many have learned to live with it and so can you. i just know that if you are trying to get a nice sound... you are far from it. to prove this, have someone take off down the road while you stand in your drive way... it'll sound like shit. But if money is limited i understand, it will not hurt anything just be mildly annoying.

 

well i'll compare them tomorrow. what your saying makes sense. as far as the buzzin sound goes, im driving slow on the streets in order to not hear the sound. but on the freeway i downshift and hit the gas hard and go fast cuz i know no one is gonna hear the buzzing sound on the freeway.