What do you think is a better choice to go with. I currently have a Helix 02 awaiting install... it looks beautiful, its light and polished and it bored out inside and very smooth.

I can keep that, or get my stock 02 housing (I have an extra), ported/polished and cermaic coated. Do you think the stock 02 will flow the same as the aftermarket (helix) one? Let me know what you guys think.

 

My experience with the Helix 02 housing is it will help spool up over the stock unit. The most you can port the stock unit is prob around 1-2mm and its still smaller than the Helix if you compare them. I would recommend you to put the Helix 02 on.

Thanks,
Tom

 

To my knowledge the Helix doesnt have the support bracket. Id stick with OEM for reliability.

 

Support braket for what? Theres no bracket on the stock one...

 

Yeah there is. It supports the mani/turbo/housing assembly from underneath.

 

word.

 

Can someone take apicture of this bracket...

 

The missing bracket won't make much difference if you're using the stock cast exhaust manifold. Even if you use a tubular manifold, the missing bracket isn't necessarily a huge issue, so long as you're not hanging a larger turbo from the tubular manifold.

 

Thanks - yes I will be using a stock cast manifold. I will be getting it ported and ceramic coated though!

 

Or you could go with the WORKS one due out at the end of the month. Which has the best of both worlds.

 

Id like to, but knowing works, its gonna cost WAY more than I can afford. $175 for ported/ceramic coated mani from Buschur.

 

I would stick with the stock O2 housing and get it ported/polished. I haven't heard of anyone's Helix O2 housing cracking at all, but staying with the stocker is just a reassurance. And I definitely agree with you on the WORKS O2 housing....probably going to be really expensive, and they might only be compatible with their downpipe only.

 

Since we handle the warranty's for Helix USA, we actually have never seen a SINGLE 02 housing crack (out of hundreds sold). You guys have to remember the stock unit is designed with one goal in mind - COST. The material used is the lowest cost casting material that can be found (I believe it's ZG something or other cast material), whereas the Helix one uses SS304 Stainless steel, so the superior material compensates for the thinner walls.

That being said the support on the stock housing is nice, but unnecessary with the factory cast manifold. On a properly designed tubular manifold there shouldn't be any issues either, as I have personally ran the Maxford header with the Helix 02 housing for 8 months and the car has seen quite a few track days as well as just general abuse.

Cheers,

Gary
Gruppe-S

 

I was never worried about the product cracking, especially since there seem to be a good amount out being used but I have yet to hear of an 02 housing cracking...

As for the Works 3" 02. Looks like a nice peice however $400+ buying their downpipe is jsut WAY too much. Also, Im only expecting 4-8HP from the 02 and for $165 (which I paid for the 02) is just unbeatable in terms of $/HP. Of course, my orignal question was if it better to port and coat the stock 02... or keep the Helix... I think Im going to keep it!

On a side note, the Helix is much lighter than stock 02!

 

I would go with the Helix just because its bigger, I havnt heard of any issues with it either.