SOME CLARIFICATION ON HEADER SAGA

[EVLTEK FBI AKL]

http://nzhondas.com/phpBB2/4-vtu6063...r=asc&start=75

WHAT I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IS THAT FBI, MYSELF AND I AM SURE OTHER RETAILERS HAVE NOT INTENDED ON MISLEADING ANYONE - WE HAVE ADVERTISED WHAT WE WERE TOLD WE WERE BUYING. (they may yet be, but read below)

As some of you may have read, there has been some debate on whether the advertised hy-tech headers are in fact genuine items.

Here is a much of the story as I know and can explain well.

FBI and other companies in NZ were contact by Racingworks NZ asking if we wanted to stock Hy-tech production headers. Of course us and others jumped on the opportunity knowing they are a fantastic brand and their headers make great power.

There has been some recent discussion with regards to the validity of the headers and if in fact they are hytech or not.....

Below is a copy of a pm I was sent from Big Al (racingworks) clarifying his position

the whole hytech header story is a long and complicated one with different versions depending on who you talk to.

hytech are custom header makers

aprox 2 years ago hytech decided to put two b series header designs into production so customers could purchase them off the shelf

aprox 12 months ago the company that was producing the headers for hytech made them available to a selected number of specalist honda performance companies in USA.

these were the same products that hytech were selling , but not badged .

I have visited the factory on a number of ocassions. They also make exhaust products for some of the major Japanese companies .


I had the opportunity to purchase the same product and this is what I have been supplying .
From what I have been told we are the only non USA company who is able to obtain supply of this limited product ex factory

since the first production run there have been a number of changes /improvements to the header
ie thicker flange , port matching , improved internal finishing .

the headers that are availabe in NZ are identical to those sold in USA by Whitfield/Rage

and a number of other recognised tuners .

Some of the shops in USA have gone for a satin polished finish as it is a little cheaper .

The photos on the hytech site are of the original run .

Most of the resellers also sell the omni test pipe/ cat eliminator but all price it seperately

As you are aware we decided, as a launch special to supply this with each header .

the production factory does not supply the donut gasket , bolts with springs or exit flange with the header. The donut and bolts are oem parts and the flange is a std exhaust shop fitting which is not necessary with the omni pipe or JDM oem exhaust system .

It is supplied in USA as the USA spec B series cars have a smaller exhaust system for emission reason .”

That is the most comprehensive answer I have seen from anyone so far on the history, orogin and validity of these headers.

There are a few threads on Honda-tec and other forums debating similar things with none of them really being able to come to a conclusion as to what is real and what is not.

ALL THINGS ASIDE, WHAT I DO KNOW IS...
There are a number of factories in Taiwan who make parts for a very large number of American and Japanese Companies, Skunk2/Blox/Buddy Club/Tomei/Trust etc

There are a number of companies who have jumped on the bandwagon rebranding these parts coming out of the various factories… for ex – look how many diff people have access to the Skunk2 camber arms that are readily available in any colour under the sun in bare boxes….

the following is my opinion only - I would not all be surprised if Hytech USA have these headers being made in mass in a Taiwan factory as Big Al states. In fact, I would bet mega bucks on it.

The problem we are faced with is short of travelling to the US with a set of the ones from NZ and some that they have with their badge on them, there is no real way of checking if they are.

WE (FBI) have received headers with both bolts and springs for the sleeve joins as some have argued that Hytech come with bolts only. I have seen photos of “real” hytech ones and comparing them with what we have here, there is no difference bar the badge..

It leaves everyone in a rather complicated position of not knowing exactly what they are buying and selling and NOT WANTING TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC.

What FBI have decided to do is distance ourselves from the hytech brand and refer to these headers as hytech copy/style etc only….

This way no-one can be misinformed. If in fact they are the real deal (if we ever find out) then everyone is getting a good deal. If they are not, no-one is being mislead.

What I can also say with certanty is that whether they be real or fake, they certainly make some great power

Because any other talk on the matter is speculation I am going to lock this thread.