wantone

Yowzers

xviper

OK, you made me look. Just went and jacked up the car and had a close look at that bracket - SOLID, no visible cracks yet. The Toda has been on since August/03. I do have to admit that the bracket material on the header is pretty thin, considering what it has to secure.

Slows2k

Mine looked as if it was still attached, but when I loosened the bolt to the block, The bracket showed itself to be broken. I just got done checking my records, I installed the header on 7-25-03, @ 6200miles. I've got just under 14,700 miles now.

spider

Not sure if this happened to everyone, but when I installed my Toda header, this bracket had to be attached with the "hanger" from the OEM header shaped like two L's joined together. However, I noticed the bracket was not in the correct position (for my install anyhow). It seemed like the OEM hanger should have been a little longer for it to fit. What I ended up doing was sandwiching two washers between them, so neither the bracket, nor the hanger, needed to give much to be bolted together...

Slows2k

Mine went together fine, no bending, swearing or persuasion needed. I did have to use a nut on the back side of the stock bracket bolt, because the Toda doesn't have threads provided.

Slows2k

My 1st Email To AKH, After calling directly:

Hello, My name is Chris XXXXX, I purchased a Toda Header Through R and D Motorsports in Charleston SC. The Header was ordered on 4-7-03, and installed on 7-25-03. The bracket tab has cracked/broken flush with the header tube. I spoke with Ali on the Phone at AKH trading, I am attaching Pics as per his request. Assistance with this problem would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Chris XXXXX.


AKH's Response:

Hi Chris,

I forwarded your pics to Japan yesterday and received a reply this morning -
please see below. After reviewing the pics they recommend not trying to
weld on a different bracket as it might cause a hole due to the thin walls
of the stainless steel material they use (for lighter weight). There won't
be any reliability issues from not having the bracket, but check to see if
your exhaust system is pushing/pulling against the exhaust manifold.


------------------------------------------

As for the header of S2000 and DC2, a tab bracket sticks in the middle of
the pipe.
Our product wall thickness of the pipe is thinner with stainless steel.
The stretch of the stainless steel is big by the heat.
Therefore, the stress applied to the tab bracket is hard.
We made a strength tab bracket before, and the welding point of the pipe
came off by the stress and a hole was made.
Therefore, we installed the bracket of the thin thickness.
Then, even a genuine engine side bracket is a wave form by HONDA , too.
This prevents the damage of the heat deformation, too.
But, this is being made by the balance with the standard header.
An influence will be taken in the muffler's weight balance and the accuracy
of the muffler as well.
Tension is applied to the bad muffler in the fixed direction.
Therefore, HONDA doesn't seem to take it seriously as a bracket very much,
either.

Then, I want it repaired by the customer himself.
He better not weld it together to strength very much at that time.
It may induce making a hole again.
-------------------------------------------

Best regards,
AKH Trading/TODA Racing USA
Tel 714-327-0181
Fax 714-327-0184
www.todaracing.com
www.worksuperwheels.com


My response to AKH:

I'm using a Mugen exhaust, with the Stock Catalytic convertor. The header did not require any force to align the flange to the convertor, and the bracket to the block did not require any bending. Just to make sure that I'm reading Toda's response correct, They don't reccomend welding it back on, So Will they replace it?


AKH's response:

They don't recommend welding it back on as - depending on the welders skills
which widely vary - it could cause a hole in the pipes due to their thin
walls. I inquired to see if they would replace it, and they indicated they
will not.


My response to AKH/Toda racing:

I'm dissapointed at their response, It's not as if I can go to Toda Racing directly and complain. So I'll Just post Toda's response on www.s2ki.com, And maybe there sales of 1150$ Exhaust headers will suffer a bit. Thank you for your help.

Slows2k

I'm not holding AKH responsible, They are the middle man is this situation. I would have liked the Header replaced though. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have bought a Mugen through King Motorsports.

turbo_pwr

Wow, I'm surprised at their stance. The whole point of buying through an authorized retailer is that they warranty against defects like this. If they aren't going to step up, then what's the point in paying more?

cdelena

Just a FYI.. I have had two Mugen equipment failures where King did an immediate replacement after just seeing a picture, no questions asked. Too bad Toda (or the reseller) will not stand behind the product in the same way.

xviper

for Toda!
This header is exorbitantly priced for what you get. The NA gain is not that impressive (again, considering the price) and those for F.I. is still not well documented. Although it's a nice looking piece, that's a hell of a price to pay just to save a few pounds. Would I do it again? With what has been posted here, "I don't think so, Tim".
I will be keeping my stock header in anticipation of the Toda blowing a hole one day.