Header Back vs Catback
 

Hey All,

Planning on installing my FA20 intake + stg II tune. I have a Perrin Header Back system, but was contemplating selling the front and overpipe due to getting boned by the tax man. Wil the power gains with the header back be significantly better than catback or is it so negligible that I won't notice it? IF so, I'd be willing to sell the front/over pipe.

The biggest gains happen at the overpipe and front pipe, so replacing those will result in a horsepower loss and a reduction in sound as well.

You mean replacing them as in putting the stock ones back on? I haven't actually installed anything yet because of the weather. If that's where the biggest gains are then I guess I will be keeping the system then.

Yes, if you go back to stock on those pieces, you will not only hear a difference, you will feel it. Axlebacks and Catbacks are mostly for sound changing. The real gains happen at the Header/OP/FP or OP/DP. If the system is restricted at the front, the back doesn't matter very much.

Thank you. That's what I figured. Oh well, guess I'll just have to tighten the belt for a few months after I pay off the tax man. I didn't know this, but independent contractors (which is my part-time gig) get hit with a 15.3% self-employment tax.

Holy crap. Remind me never to do freelance computer work on my own!

I am running the Perrin headerback system and the biggest gains were the over pipe and front pipe like FRS MATT said

I tried with the catback non resonated and it sounded good, an hour later got the front pipe on and throttle response was pretty cool and sounded even better, more fuller, maybe because of the high flow cat

after that the next day I got the over pipe on and whooooo the car just wants to jump :burnrubber:

I know I just found out about the tax, myself! Ridiculous!

Yeah, it's basically FICA + Medicare that you'd normally be paying if you were employed by someone else.

You could always incorporate and give yourself a token $1 annual salary, then expense everything and give yourself some bonuses or something I suppose.

Anyway, yeah I wouldn't suggest getting rid of the OP/FP since you already paid for it, but if you do decide to sell them, I'd consider taking them off your hands (and I believe I'm local to you as well).

How was the overall volume of the system after you added the front pipe and over pipe? I want the non-resonated Perrin as well but wasn't sure how loud it was going to be as a header back system.

Scott

Unresonated is pretty loud with the front pipe and OP, and if you plan on a header, I recommend the resonator.

it took me a while to break it in. It was LOUD when I first got everything in but over time, it quieted down a lot. took maybe 1000 miles give or take and a week or two, I don't remember.

On the freeway, you can barely hear the exhaust. I get more road and tire noise than exhaust noise. but once you WOT, your ears will love you

if you get the catted front pipe, it will help you tone the down the noise a bit @naikaidriver

Have you heard the GReddy Evo 3? I had that before getting the Perrin non-resonated catback and I'm hoping that when I go OP/catted-FP, I'll get that sound back but without the drone.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I DO plan on getting a header this spring since my car will be doing most of its duty in STX Class and I promised to lay some Miata-smack down this year!

Scott

I've heard that the greddy evo 3's were loud, maybe too loud for others but i can tell you this

With the non-resonated catback, the sound was something like my porsche cayman. Then with the catted front pipe and the overpipe, the sound became much more refine and has a really nice bark to it.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2HuxhtLYn4"]FR-S dyno day - YouTube[/ame]

my dyno day at evasive. bad factor of judging sound but I believe I had one of the loudest exhausts there (in a good way)

and absolutely no drone. Don't want to come out as a fan boy or anything but I hate drone and had a few buddies with droning exhausts (my ears wanted to bleed) and I was relieved when I didn't have any drone :thumbup:

really crappy video... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIrzYMmOWVg"]video3gpp 2 - YouTube[/ame] but will get better videos soon. track day tomorrow!

Catted front pipes are a DEFINITE must. Anything catless has a hint of rasp in it. I've started always running cats not just because of keeping the air clean, but the sound. It refines it quite a bit. Listen to the Borla UEL on FT-86 Speedfactory with the invidia catted front pipe. Sounds really insane on their V1. Catted is definitely the way to go unless you enjoy some nasty sounds in the exhaust.