FA20CLUB catted UEL header review

[geeang]

Quick review/update on the FA20club headers:
I paid for these headers on May 7, 2013 and received them on October 8, 2013.

Quality: 8/10
I had a leak at the manifold/engine flanges, I was told this is a normal occurrence for one-piece headers without flex joints. I fixed the issue with some grimmspeed multi-layer gaskets.
Having said that, the quality of the welds and joints are TOP NOTCH. You can tell these are hand-welded, the clearances when installing are perfect (they clear the radiator fans etc. perfectly).

Performance: 10/10
I honestly don't have time for dyno runs, but my butt dyno can easily tell the torque dip is gone. I'm sure everybody here has experience the 'hesitation' when they change gears and the revs drop into the dip, this is completely gone. All I experience now is a smooth surge up through to redline.
I'm sure these would net more power if I weren't too busy to send logs into Toni for a retune, but so far I'm very happy with the performance. Did I mention there's no CEL?

Sound: 8/10 (pending)
This section gets an 8/10 but it's all because apart from the headers, my exhaust is 100% stock. Right now it's an awesome daily, it makes an angry rumble on cold start and settles to a deep grumble.
When driving there's a subtle rumbling that let's everyone know there's something a little special about your car, which opens to a nice growl when you plant your right foot.
I will definitely be getting an overpipe, catted front pipe, and resonated exhaust (Q300 or Perrin) in the future, so I'm sure my rating will go up when these parts are installed.

Conclusion:
These headers are great! I bought them because I wanted UEL headers, I wanted a CAT, and it would be cool to have the first retail UEL catted header out there.

Are they worth the wait? Yes if you were waiting 1-2 months. But right now that's a big NO since it seems current wait times range between 5-6 months. The wait time would not have seemed so bad if I knew up front that's how long it would take, but after being quoted 1-2 weeks at the start, it really just left a sour taste in my mouth having to chase an update every week or two.



NB: I'm sorry to say I don't currently have any sound clips or dynos because I'm simply too busy

[Ny Brz]

Yes the wait times can be ridiculous for these now with high demand, I completely agree. I agreed with the quality of the welds I'll post some vids of the car when I get mine back from my turbo install.

[z3ro]

5-6 month turn around on this?!?!

what was the cost?

[bgibbsunc]

Fa20club has video of mine on their facebook with turbo + uel headers.

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

I dont want to thread jack but here is my expreince with it and the amazing fitment



FA20UEL Amazing Fitment by smsalsuwaidi, on Flickr

[OICU812]

To OP I suspect you had an Ecutek tune done when you installed header?

[Ny Brz]

Originally Posted by SmsAlSuwaidi

I dont want to thread jack but here is my expreince with it and the amazing fitment



FA20UEL Amazing Fitment by smsalsuwaidi, on Flickr

Dang, I haven't heard anything back from the shop installing the headers. Your not the only person who said something about fitment issues, how did you resolve it?

[Wes]

Originally Posted by SmsAlSuwaidi

I dont want to thread jack but here is my expreince with it and the amazing fitment

that sucks, any word back from them?

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

Nop they dont care nor do i want to deal with them. i had to pay and get the flanges re worked on and even that was risky :thumbsdown:

Edit: i also have pictures of each side and it was not any better
Sent from my IBrick

[geeang]

Originally Posted by SmsAlSuwaidi

I dont want to thread jack but here is my expreince with it and the amazing fitment

FA20UEL Amazing Fitment by smsalsuwaidi, on Flickr

Wow that sucks dude! Especially after the wait I know you had to go through.

Originally Posted by OICU812

To OP I suspect you had an Ecutek tune done when you installed header?

I had a standard Stage 1 base tune long before the headers and have yet to do any sort of data-logging or updates.

[FR-Sizzle]

More people should know ab @FA20Club.com n their headers so less people get screwed. And to think I was going to buy their headers fuck that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jamesm]

i don't think any fitment issues are a widespread problem. i know of many people with fa20club turbo kits and headers that had no issues. perhaps it's hit and miss (i really don't know), but certainly no less so than borla lol.

[MPI_Jack]

That welding looks horrible imho. No consistency. I wonder if they have a proper jig for putting these together. Sorry to see everyone's horrible experience.

[subwaynm]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us; so we can be aware of these issues and not purchase from Venders that place profit in front of Quality. With the prices being asked these days for the parts for these cars I feel that is shameful. And sure won't spend my hard earned money with them.
My Hobby money is hard to come by and don't mind spending to get what I want but sure don't want issues when I do that should have been fixed prior to release. But company Greed prevented the proper testing and leave it to me to fix.