SMSP Header

[JMUtype-r]

IM looking into getting a SMSP header on my 01 type-r. All i have on it now is an AEM CAI. I was wondering what yall though about the SMSP Header

[Aj]

A bit on the pricey side, but if you have the money to blow, then It's a really nice header. You may also want to look into Hytech, Toda, and the OEM JDM 4-1 for possible cost alternative solutions. Hytech also being on the pricey side, but equal in quality I would think...

Later,
Aj

[97 TYPE-R 312]

It all depends on what you want to do with your R. Are you looking for just bolt on's or are you going to look inside for cams, etc. The great header test show'd the OE JDM the best bang for the buck. The Spoon and Toda gave JUST A LITTLE more top end. Now if you want to go with cams, higher compression, go with the SMSP. You will have a better advantage for tuning in the long run with this setup.

Thanks,
Victor

[Aj]

That's tru, realistically, you really dont need much larger promaries assuming you dont plan to play with the head or bottom end some....For 3 and change, the OE JDM 4-1 is definitely a great bang for the buck, also, so is the DC JDM 4-1....

Peace,
Aj

[George Knighton]

IM looking into getting a SMSP header on my 01 type-r. All i have on it now is an AEM CAI. I was wondering what yall though about the SMSP Header

Make sure you have a clear direction for your car before you spend more money.

What is it you're trying to achieve? Are you stopping for a long time after getting the header, or is the header a part of a long term plan for the car?

If you are just buying a header for the time being, and/or don't have a very clear direction for where you're going but want a header, I'd recommend the JDM OEM 4-1 header as the best bang for the buck.

I like the JDM OEM header over the DC JDM header because the JDM OEM header can be had with upper and lower heat shields that keep your car looking completely stock.

You will feel the difference when mating your JDM header to your stock exhaust. You'll need a Carsound or other cat because the JDM OEM header (and others) will not mate to the stock USDM cat because of a difference in length of the pipe under the car.

Most people who add the JDM OEM header and Carsound cat combination get about 8 horsepower on the dyno, and this is horsepower that you will feel in your normal driving.

If you are going on with developing your car, and the header is just the first step in that plan, then I heartily recommend the SMSP header.

It will cost you quite a bit more to get the SMSP header, and there will be some lead time because SMSP is a small company and makes each header to order.

However, you will get the same gains you will get with other big-name headers and, while you will spend quite a bit more than you would for the JDM OEM header, you will spend quite a bit less on the SMSP header than you'd spend on the competing high quality headers.



Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Aj]

However, you will get the same gains you will get with other big-name headers and, while you will spend quite a bit more than you would for the JDM OEM header, you will spend quite a bit less on the SMSP header than you'd spend on the competing high quality headers.

I'm not entirely sure if you've ever priced out an SMSP header, but if you have, you havn't priced out anything else. When I emailed Dave I think it was, don't remember his name, but Trey reffered me, he emailed back with a price of like $1300...that being said. The Toda header is less than a grand, the Spoon header is less than a grand, the Jun header is less than a grand, the Type-one header is less than a grand, the fujitsobo header is less than a grand, and the Hytech was just over twelve hundred.

If anything, the SMSP is the most expensive header availabe, and honestly, I think I'd rather a Toda header over an SMSP, after having seen both, the finish on the Toda is so much nicer, not to mention making about the same power gains....

It's really all what you're looking for...SMSP can custom make something for a specific application, but if you're not gonna be super charging your car or something, and don't need huge primaries or like a 3" collector or something out of the ordinary, then I wouldn't spend the money...

It seems that names in headers have become more about the name than the actual performance.

Just my opinion.....

Later,
Aj

[George Knighton]

However, you will get the same gains you will get with other big-name headers and, while you will spend quite a bit more than you would for the JDM OEM header, you will spend quite a bit less on the SMSP header than you'd spend on the competing high quality headers.

I'm not entirely sure if you've ever priced out an SMSP header, but if you have, you havn't priced out anything else.

I don't engage in these kinds of contests.

I'll ask Dave.

[SMSP]

I'm not entirely sure if you've ever priced out an SMSP header, but if you have, you havn't priced out anything else. When I emailed Dave I think it was, don't remember his name, but Trey reffered me, he emailed back with a price of like $1300...that being said. The Toda header is less than a grand, the Spoon header is less than a grand, the Jun header is less than a grand, the Type-one header is less than a grand, the fujitsobo header is less than a grand, and the Hytech was just over twelve hundred.

If anything, the SMSP is the most expensive header availabe, and honestly, I think I'd rather a Toda header over an SMSP, after having seen both, the finish on the Toda is so much nicer, not to mention making about the same power gains....

It's really all what you're looking for...SMSP can custom make something for a specific application, but if you're not gonna be super charging your car or something, and don't need huge primaries or like a 3" collector or something out of the ordinary, then I wouldn't spend the money...

It seems that names in headers have become more about the name than the actual performance.

Just my opinion.....

Later,
Aj

My ITR header, like the one George has, is $975. I don't think I ever got around to responding to your email since you sent it the week before the expo and I was very busy and didn't respond to many emails.

I believe the HyTech header is $1300. I know someone who just paid $980 for a Toda header and I think the Spoon header is in the same range.

[George Knighton]

However, you will get the same gains you will get with other big-name headers and, while you will spend quite a bit more than you would for the JDM OEM header, you will spend quite a bit less on the SMSP header than you'd spend on the competing high quality headers.

If anything, the SMSP is the most expensive header availabe, and honestly, I think I'd rather a Toda header over an SMSP, after having seen both, the finish on the Toda is so much nicer, not to mention making about the same power gains....

Aj

Considering your propensity to state vague recollections as facts, I hope you'll forgive me if I consider your testimony impeached.

I'll stand by my recommendation of the SMSP header.

Here is a dyno graph of my ITR, with SMSP header and exhaust:

[Trey]

AJ,

I don't think you know exactly WHO George is. I would not recommend challenging his knowledge of custom exhausts systems or his knowledge of SMSP stuff.

THe SMSP has always been under $1000 and the Hytech has always been $1300 as long as I can remember. MSRP on the TOda is $995 and I don't suggest anyone posting shops selling Toda for less than that.

That said I have a JDM 4-1, and am in the market for a new Header and Exhaust but am looking to a company that is willing to foot the bill. I think I may have found somewhere so stay tuned for my input concerning a header not yet mentioned here.

Trey

[SMSP]

I'll respond here instead of email.

Your Mugen system is not 2.5" (63.5mm) it is 60mm or 60.5mm but the B pipe upstream of the resonator is even smaller. I believe I measured it once at around 55mm or so but can't say for sure.

This is what the Mugen B pipe flange looks like when it gets bolted up to a 2.5" ID cat.



Notice the carbon deposited on the B pipe flange from the different IDs.

So to answer your question about going with a smaller collector because you already have a smaller test pipe I wouldn't recommend it. Also, my header is longer than the JDM headers so modification to your B pipe will be required. I would also recommend running a 2-1/2" cat back system with one of my headers or any JDM (65mm collector) header for that matter. If a 60mm system was run then I recommend running a tapered adapter from the 2-1/2" ID cat to the 60mm OD tubing.

Trey, I can't compete with the pricing that you are getting

[Trey]

Trey, I can't compete with the pricing that you are getting

Haha, Some day Dave, someday.

Glad you are here! Good to hear it directly from the manufacturers themselves.

Trey