Black Widow headers

Is anyone running the Black Widow catless headers? These and the Delkevic headers seem to be the only two options currently available. The Black Widow headers look like the Motad's which looked like a stainless version of the 98-99 catless headers. I'm curious of the fit, finish, and build quality.

http://www.blackwidowexhausts.co.uk...3-rc46-exhaust-collector-down-pipes-228-p.asp

 

That version is not for your model - yours is a VTEC ! I cant remember but i think you need the crossover type which is the Delkavics

 

BW makes them for VTEC too.

http://www.blackwidowexhausts.co.uk...-rc46-exhaust-collector-down-pipes-1980-p.asp

 

I purposely posted the link for the 98-01 headers. My thought was being that if I order them for that year range then they should definitely be in the larger tube diameter that the 98-99s were. The more I look at it though the merges are just plain nasty on the Black Widow headers. The Delkevics use that goofy 4 into 1 collector that doesn't look like it would be the best for flow but the primary pipes do look of a lot better quality. I would love to get a set of Tyga or Two Brothers Racing headers but those threads have been going on for years with no real progress being made towards finding a company willing to build VFR race headers again. I'm not sure what to do at this point but I would love to remove the catalytic converter for the much meaner exhaust note if nothing else.

 

they may be larger but because they dont have the rear pipe cross-overed they also dont fit on a 6th gen as far as I'm aware.

 

98-99 headers fit on VTEC's just fine. It's a pretty common swap to get rid of the cat on the VTEC's...

 

I've seen some internal pictures of the BW headers, and they looked badly made with very poor internal joints.
I bought the Delkevics, and found the sound to be a lot better then the cat 01's.
My friends commented on the fact they didn't know what I had done, but the bike sounded different.
Fit was fine, I had to move the collector 10mm to the left with a spacer so I could use the rear brake pedal as it was hitting the pipes.
Also cut the center stand stop off, as it placed the center stand too low and would hit the road on hard left handers.
I have a Staintune pipe which has the center stand stop built in.
I think the collector is not great, my but dyno tells me I've lost some top end, but gained low and mid range.
You will not have any weight savings, as the Delk's are thick stainless and as heavy as the originals with cat.
The collector does have internal flaps that direct air flow to the matching pipes, but not sure of actual performance.
They do look good, and once installed with care there are no leaks.
My original pipes were looking worse for wear, and I wanted to get rid of the cat, and for the price I'm very happy.
I don't think you will feel any difference having a different cross over on the pipes to a 6G, after all, it's bacsically the same motor with the same firing order.

 

I saw some pictures of the internals of a set of Black Widow headers. Its certainly less than desirable. I have considered the Delkevic headers but the collector box is the only thing holding me back. The overall design of the pipes looks better and like it would flow better up until the collector box. I'm sure with some time and patients a pair of y collectors could be fitted in place of the 4 into 1 collector that comes with the Delkevics. I'm considering a set of Motads as well but those are hard to find...

 

Headers aren’t as easy to manufacture as a muffler system. Even if it’s perfectly designed. The fixture still has to be good, the fabricator has to know what they’re doing, and QC has to be in place. I’d be leery of installing these cheaper headers seeing as how much of a pain in the ass it is to do the install on these bikes. It’s never fun to spend a bunch of time busting knuckles on an install only to find out the thing ain’t right. It’s happened to me twice on two project cars...

What’s the appeal out of curiosity? These bikes sound sick with an aftermarket exhaust with the catalyst still in place on the stock header. To each their own...

My advice, don’t mess with it. The catalyst flows well, cleans the stink and soot from the exhaust, and it cuts harshness from the exhaust note.

But if you want to try it out or like being really loud, do it.

 

Unless you find one of the 2Brothers systems your not going to improve performance with the BW or Delkevic and its not much anyways. Or weight savings either. If your OEM header is rusted out, sure change it, otherwise put the money into the suspension.

 

My stock header is in perfectly fine but I like how the VFR sounds without a catalytic converter. Given that the 6th gen headers are slightly smaller throughtout and have the catalytic converter pretty much any other header will be an "upgrade". That being said I found a 98-99 header on ebay in decent condition for $110 shipped. It has a couple small dings that should come right out with a stud welder and slide hammer. There doesn't appear to be any rust to speak of and they should turn out nice after coating. Ideal? Well its no racing header but for $110 I couldn't go wrong.

 

That’s ideal IMO, it’s pretty much guaranteed to fit right.

 

The only problem I can see is finding a place to get them coated. The nearest big city to me is Wichita KS and a google search didn't turn up much for exhaust coatings. I will have to make a few phone calls tomorrow.

 

Just make sure they come with the rear down pipes as they are different sizes from 5th to 6th gen. Also, I'd highly recommend a fresh set of gaskets at the joint between the headers and rear down pipes.

 

The headers just showed up. The condition is remarkable for being almost 19 years old and mild steel. There literally is no surface rust on the pipes themselves and only very light surface rust on some of the welds. I'm sure I could bolt them on and run them as is and they would outlast me and the bike both but I'll see if I can find some place at least somewhat local to coat them. Looks like a pretty decent design for a factory piece and the Y collectors and welds all look pretty nice for a production piece.

 

Too bad you couldn't get something like this https://www.bellissimoto.com/QD-Exh...ift+Cards+and+QD+Super+Sport&utm_medium=email