[familyman333]

I have been reading all the posts about the OBX headers and remain apprehensive. But I found this website and have sent them an email asking about "revision 2" changes. I'll post their response when I get it.

OBX SS304 HEADER EXHAUST MANIFOLD 02-08 MAZDA 6 V6 3.0L, OBX Mazda Headers, OBX headers, Header / Downpipe / Test pipe

Here's a quote from their website.

OBX SS304 HEADER EXHAUST MANIFOLD 02-08 MAZDA 6 V6 3.0L

brand new header system (revision 2) for the 02-08 Mazda 6 with the V6 engine. System is made from 304 stainless steel for strength and durability. This revision allows for easier installation and does not require end user to modify current engine setup with regards to alternator or exhaust system. As as race header this system does remove factory emissions systems and is not legal for use in states where emissions testing is required. Included with the header are new bolts and gaskets for installation. Like all OBX header systems, this too is backed by their lifetime warranty program.

 

[cmorty72]

Rather interested in this "revision 2" of the OBX headers as well.
I do know that there was allot of fitment/weld issues with their previous design.
I wonder if they finally got it right this time?

I've used their products in the past (i.e. NACE 1.6 header for 89-93 miata), with no issues.

 

[familyman333]

Haven't heard back from them yet. Here is the email I sent to RSAPerformance:


I have seen on your website that you have a new revision of the OBX Headers for the Mazda 6 V6. I have read many horror stories from other owners that tried to install these headers and either could not get them to fit or had to make some significant modifications. I have a few questions.

1. Do you still have to move/modify the alternator?
2. The previous version came with one cat installed. Does the new version come cat-less?
3. Can cats be added and if yes, are there O2 sensor bungs pre-installed?
4. Are the provided gaskets made of paper or pressed steel?

 

[snakoil]

I sent an email to OBX also asking the same question and never got any replies
also it seems there are no coding or lettering on the unit to differentiate a rev2 from the original
I have one set of OBX headers in my garage waiting to be installed on March 3td
if you need me to take some measures or look for something in perticular, now is the time.
If the install goes better than expected, i'll have to assume they are a Rev2 edition

 

[familyman333]

I sent an email to OBX also asking the same question and never got any replies
also it seems there are no coding or lettering on the unit to differentiate a rev2 from the original
I have one set of OBX headers in my garage waiting to be installed on March 3td
if you need me to take some measures or look for something in perticular, now is the time.
If the install goes better than expected, i'll have to assume they are a Rev2 edition

When did you order and/or receive your headers and from whom did you order them? My email went to an OBX distributor and I am going to call them today since I have not heard back. I'll also send my email to OBX as well.

 

[cmorty72]

^That's good to know, I'm looking forward to hearing about your final assessment of these headers (installation and fitment issues if any).
Could you take some pics of these headers so we can see the build quality?

 

[snakoil]

I bought them from a local Mazda6 enthousiast who never got to install them
As for build quality I am no welder but to me it looks like all the other headers I've bought for my previous cars. I'll take pics when I get a chance.

I got them because I believe in the end wether you buy obx or CPE it ends up being almost the same amount if you include installation fees and I rather give that money to local business if I can.

 

[cmorty72]

I bought them from a local Mazda6 enthousiast who never got to install them
As for build quality I am no welder but to me it looks like all the other headers I've bought for my previous cars. I'll take pics when I get a chance.

I got them because I believe in the end wether you buy obx or CPE it ends up being almost the same amount if you include installation fees and I rather give that money to local business if I can.

Sounds good.

 

[snakoil]

I got the entire set out of the box yesterday night to verify i was not missing anything
That's when I realised this kit doesn't come with a Y pipe. You either have to use the stock Y pipe with a cat on 1 of the 2 pipes or you need to fab a custom Y pipe with HF CAT. I'm ordering my HF CAT today so i'll have everything in hand for the install.

 

[mazda madness]

I bought them from a local Mazda6 enthousiast who never got to install them
As for build quality I am no welder but to me it looks like all the other headers I've bought for my previous cars. I'll take pics when I get a chance.

I got them because I believe in the end wether you buy obx or CPE it ends up being almost the same amount if you include installation fees and I rather give that money to local business if I can.

Yea but you will go back over and over just to fix your obx headers I had them for a lil over a year they were good for the first couple of weeks tell the header started cracking and the never ending exhaust leaks.

 

[familyman333]

I got the entire set out of the box yesterday night to verify i was not missing anything
That's when I realised this kit doesn't come with a Y pipe. You either have to use the stock Y pipe with a cat on 1 of the 2 pipes or you need to fab a custom Y pipe with HF CAT. I'm ordering my HF CAT today so i'll have everything in hand for the install.

So are the ones you have now the original version or version 2? do you know?

 

[snakoil]

no clue, i was able to find a soldered pieces with the OBX logo on it but nothing else is written on it. The writtings were pretty faded so I would assume those are old and probably are V1

 

[familyman333]

I actually got a call from a guy at ERZ Performance, parent company of RSA Performance. I didn't have time to talk to him on the phone but he gave me his personal email address so I could forward the original email I sent to RSA Performance. I'll let you know what I get back.

 

[familyman333]

UPDATE: I got the following email from ERZ Performance. Try to read through the bad spelling and grammar.

"Okay... what OBX is telling us that all the newer one should have no problem with the installation process. But then agian, there are people out there who think of themselves as a mechanic and will try to install parts themselves. And once they have trouble with doing so, they'll automatically think the part has fitment issue. So we do recomment our customer to have the parts professionally install. The item does not ahve a cat but do have the 02 sensor plug. Any gasket that you may need will come with the package. Certain connection area can use stock gasket."

My response to them...

"Well that response does not give me much confidence. Do you know whether or not they have been test fitted on an actual car? I am willing to give them a try but if my professional mechanic has problems with them I will expect a full refund plus whatever I have to pay him for his time to put my stock manifolds back on. Can you commit to that arrangement?"

And their response to me...

"We had sold this header in the past and there were no issue brought to our attention. Same as OBX themselves But in an unlikely event of a situation with any customer who claim to have fitment issue with their product. Customer first need to contact us within 30 days from the day of the purchase.They will require customer to take some pictures to show the fitment issue. Or in writing by a professional mechanic. After that the customer will require to send the item back for inspection. After inspection if they (OBX) does determine that in fact there is or are some manufacture defect on the item itself. We will offer the customer the full refund. This is OBX own company policy."

So, I guess I will take the plunge and give them a shot. I have a professional mechanic ready to do the work so we'll see how it goes.

 

[snakoil]

this is a very professional answer from ERZ. If they actually do what they said on this email conversation I would highly recommend this company for its customer service. I'm not used to see this kind of good services in the car market!

 

[familyman333]

this is a very professional answer from ERZ. If they actually do what they said on this email conversation I would highly recommend this company for its customer service. I'm not used to see this kind of good services in the car market!

Did you ever get yours installed?

 

[snakoil]

installation is next week on Thursday, received my HF cat late last week.
I'm trying to go buy a scale later on this week to see the weight difference between OBX and OEM

 

[familyman333]

Well I have decided against the OBX headers and was going with MSDS through Nautilus but they are backordered. so I was going to cancel my order then Joey at Nautilus offered me "their" headers at the same price. This is a quote from Joey.

"Yes Nautilus makes their own header with better porting and in house tig welding. I offer this to customer who like our style header I will send you a pic of the setup. This is the same in the pic except yours is mild steel like MSDS. Thanks Joey"

And here is a pic of the setup.

 

[oregonducks]

looks pretty niceee

 

[familyman333]

My headers are on the way! Custom made by Nautilus with an MSDS Y-pipe. Plan to run then into a custom fab mid-pipe with a high flow Magnaflow cat. I hope it's not too loud.