Acree's BRZ - The product of boredom and an EE degree

[Acree]

Originally Posted by sirisvirus

man you really did an AMAZING JOB!

Thank you sir!

[Acree]

JDL UEL Header Install

After a brief couple of days of contemplating selling the JDL UEL header or installing it, I just said screw it. Friday night, I headed over to @h4nh's house to install it. We had an issue with the rear o2 being seized in the stock header. There was a surprising amount of corrosion on the threads for a car with only 26k miles and 2 track days. We finally got it on and checked for exhaust leaks. Thankfully, it sounded like all the gaskets sealed correctly. We reused the stock head to manifold gaskets without issue.

The current combination on the car is stock tune, JDL UEL catless header, stock overpipe, ARK Catless Test Pipe, and ARK Grip Exhaust.

The Good: The JDL header has seemed to open the car up significantly. It has some noticeable increase in the torque dip and top end. The problem is I'm still slightly irritated with the torque dip and lag in throttle response. I'm still on the stock tune. I'll be placing an order for the OFT tomorrow.

This exact exhaust combination has me torn. As far as driving comfort and civility in the cabin, it's a fantastic combo! The helmholtz chambers on the ARK pieces really seem to do their job. If I'm on the highway cruising at 75, you literally cannot hear the exhaust with the radio off. It's completely silent which is quite surprising. If you downshift and bury your foot in the throttle, the exhaust screams. It's the best of both worlds. Downshift throttle blips result in a fantastic bark.

The Bad: The combo seems raspy at all RPM values under high load. Honestly, this was something I was half expecting but optimistically hoping I could avoid. Some people like or tolerate rasp. For me personally, it's not acceptable on any car. I think it makes the car sound like a POS. I'm going to have to figure out a solution. I love the exhaust and I love header. I believe the problem is the lack of an inline resonated portion anywhere in the exhaust. The helmholtz chambers do a great job of isolating harmonics and preventing drone, but they do not serve the same purpose as an inline resonator chamber would serve. I think I'm going to purchase one off of Summit and have an exhaust shop weld it into the ARK Test pipe. Obviously I'll keep the interior diameter the same throughout, but leaving the exhaust as it currently sits is not an option. At the same time, I want to avoid adding a HFC. An inline resonator chamber seems like the best option.

[h4nh]

Originally Posted by Acree

JDL UEL Header Install

After a brief couple of days of contemplating selling the JDL UEL header or installing it, I just said screw it. Friday night, I headed over to @h4nh's house to install it. We had an issue with the rear o2 being seized in the stock header. There was a surprising amount of corrosion on the threads for a car with only 26k miles and 2 track days. We finally got it on and checked for exhaust leaks. Thankfully, it sounded like all the gaskets sealed correctly. We reused the stock head to manifold gaskets without issue.

The current combination on the car is stock tune, JDL UEL catless header, stock overpipe, ARK Catless Test Pipe, and ARK Grip Exhaust.

The Good: The JDL header has seemed to open the car up significantly. It has some noticeable increase in the torque dip and top end. The problem is I'm still slightly irritated with the torque dip and lag in throttle response. I'm still on the stock tune. I'll be placing an order for the OFT tomorrow.

This exact exhaust combination has me torn. As far as driving comfort and civility in the cabin, it's a fantastic combo! The helmholtz chambers on the ARK pieces really seem to do their job. If I'm on the highway cruising at 75, you literally cannot hear the exhaust with the radio off. It's completely silent which is quite surprising. If you downshift and bury your foot in the throttle, the exhaust screams. It's the best of both worlds. Downshift throttle blips result in a fantastic bark.

The Bad: The combo seems raspy at all RPM values under high load. Honestly, this was something I was half expecting but optimistically hoping I could avoid. Some people like or tolerate rasp. For me personally, it's not acceptable on any car. I think it makes the car sound like a POS. I'm going to have to figure out a solution. I love the exhaust and I love header. I believe the problem is the lack of an inline resonated portion anywhere in the exhaust. The helmholtz chambers do a great job of isolating harmonics and preventing done, but they do not serve the same purpose as an inline resonator chamber would serve. I think I'm going to purchase one off of Summit and have an exhaust shop weld it into the ARK Test pipe. Obviously I'll keep the interior diameter the same throughout, but leaving the exhaust as it currently sits is not an option. At the same time, I want to avoid adding a HFC. An inline resonator chamber seems like the best option.

I think it sounds good at low rpm but when you hit the revs up it starts to rasp. Just use my oem headers and wait for v8 lol

[SnapOv3st3r]

How was the Stainless shift knob during the summer? Hot to touch? I'm liking the Raceseng, but just wondering since my wife drives the car also and that will be an issue if it heats up pretty good to the touch.

[akahenry]

Originally Posted by Acree

JDL UEL Header Install

After a brief couple of days of contemplating selling the JDL UEL header or installing it, I just said screw it. Friday night, I headed over to @h4nh's house to install it. We had an issue with the rear o2 being seized in the stock header. There was a surprising amount of corrosion on the threads for a car with only 26k miles and 2 track days. We finally got it on and checked for exhaust leaks. Thankfully, it sounded like all the gaskets sealed correctly. We reused the stock head to manifold gaskets without issue.

The current combination on the car is stock tune, JDL UEL catless header, stock overpipe, ARK Catless Test Pipe, and ARK Grip Exhaust.

The Good: The JDL header has seemed to open the car up significantly. It has some noticeable increase in the torque dip and top end. The problem is I'm still slightly irritated with the torque dip and lag in throttle response. I'm still on the stock tune. I'll be placing an order for the OFT tomorrow.

This exact exhaust combination has me torn. As far as driving comfort and civility in the cabin, it's a fantastic combo! The helmholtz chambers on the ARK pieces really seem to do their job. If I'm on the highway cruising at 75, you literally cannot hear the exhaust with the radio off. It's completely silent which is quite surprising. If you downshift and bury your foot in the throttle, the exhaust screams. It's the best of both worlds. Downshift throttle blips result in a fantastic bark.

The Bad: The combo seems raspy at all RPM values under high load. Honestly, this was something I was half expecting but optimistically hoping I could avoid. Some people like or tolerate rasp. For me personally, it's not acceptable on any car. I think it makes the car sound like a POS. I'm going to have to figure out a solution. I love the exhaust and I love header. I believe the problem is the lack of an inline resonated portion anywhere in the exhaust. The helmholtz chambers do a great job of isolating harmonics and preventing done, but they do not serve the same purpose as an inline resonator chamber would serve. I think I'm going to purchase one off of Summit and have an exhaust shop weld it into the ARK Test pipe. Obviously I'll keep the interior diameter the same throughout, but leaving the exhaust as it currently sits is not an option. At the same time, I want to avoid adding a HFC. An inline resonator chamber seems like the best option.

sound clips pls.

[Acree]

Originally Posted by h4nh

I think it sounds good at low rpm but when you hit the revs up it starts to rasp. Just use my oem headers and wait for v8 lol

The OFT and the header will retain resale value pretty damn well I think, especially since it's coated. I'll keep em until I'm ready to pull the trigger. I like the sound, just need to get rid of the rasp.

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

How was the Stainless shift knob during the summer? Hot to touch? I'm liking the Raceseng, but just wondering since my wife drives the car also and that will be an issue if it heats up pretty good to the touch.

Honestly, this is the 3rd stainless knob I've had in my cars. I don't think it gets too hot to handle, but that all depends on your tolerance. There were plenty of days last summer where I definitely wouldn't rest my hand on it.

Originally Posted by akahenry

sound clips pls.

I'll try to do that soon. All I have is a 5S camera, so the sound quality won't be great.

[Acree]

@shiv@vishnu OFT Order placed!

[xDJ DUBx]

Just installed JDL UEL, over pipe, ARK test pipe and DT-S catback this past weekend on mine haha, I'm in loveeee

[Acree]

Originally Posted by xDJ DUBx

Just installed JDL UEL, over pipe, ARK test pipe and DT-S catback this past weekend on mine haha, I'm in loveeee

Do you have any rasp with the DT-S?

[Acree]

I just flashed the Stage 2 UEL 93 oct tune from the OFT. First impressions:

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by Acree

I just flashed the Stage 2 UEL 93 oct tune from the OFT. First impressions:

No dyno yet?

[xDJ DUBx]

Originally Posted by Acree

Do you have any rasp with the DT-S?

No sir.

[Acree]

Originally Posted by Longhorn248

No dyno yet?

Nope. And probably won't.

[Brzzee]

Originally Posted by Drift&Drag

Wow that is some pretty exciting stuff right there!!! Yes I agree, the portion of my project involving the factory electronics should be fun. If it gives me too much of a headache I will simply eliminate the b!*#H and go old school It is unfortunate how "new" vehicles have an abundance of sensors and controls. Keep me updated with your progress!

I'm actually looking to go with STi/EVO (Brembos). Haven't decided yet because I want dual rear brake calipers. Seems like we have the same taste because I was leaning towards the Chargespeed front lip if I stayed with my BRZ front bumper but that sucker is $$$! lol

@Drift&Drag have u found a source for a rear dual caliper set-up?
Thanks for the updates on your build.