JDL vs Speed Factory UEL catted headers?
 

I'm pretty much sold on the SpeedFactory catted UEL header due to the amount of marketing(videos) that they have showing off the sound w/ the header only and how it sounded pretty much stock. This is exactly what I want to achieve with my car. However... 4-8wk backlog for orders??!!?? WTF? Is their local fabrication shop only cranking out one header per day or something? This is a total bummer.

Next choice, as recommended by Delicious Tuning, where I have my ECUtek stage2 tune from, is JDL. I am looking at their EL or UEL catted headers, but am afraid that it'll be too loud... Would wrapping it help with the sound into the cabin? Seems like it should, but then again, I plan to wrap the header regardless of which one I get.

So, do you guys thing the Speedfactory header is worth the wait? or should I just get the JDL's which are available within a week (or so they say)?

Hopefully getting the JDL catted el headers this week and the berk over pipe. We'll see what infamous performance gets in lol.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Agreed about the long wait time.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I'll sell you mine. $3,000

You're funny!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Just trying to help you guys out!

I went with JDL header, and loving it. I seen FT86SF header on some cars, and heard the sounds. I am no regret went with JDL.

Catted or non catted? What's your setup and do you have a video?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

JDL or GTFO

I have the JDL UEL headers. I had the Nameless exhaust with it which was a little too loud. Switched to the Invidia Q300 and all is quiet in the world again, unless I floor it in which people behind me get the music, but the in cabin noise is still quiet. Perfect for those that want quiet no matter the header, which by the way JDL UEL is the best UEL option for sound and performance.

The JDL EL is catted, the UEL is not? No longer comparing apples to apples...

For headers, I prefer the UEL sound to EL.

JDL is probably one of the best vendors for UEL headers for our platform. Quality is second to none, and I've read nothing but satisfactory reviews from its owners. There's also a lifetime warranty, so you know it's real quality stuff lol. If I had extra money, I definitely would bite the bullet and buy an UEL Header from them.

I was about to buy the speed factory header 2 weeks ago they answer by mail that it would take 8 to 10 week to get it. So I went to JDL as their website say's it's in stock. But now that I bought it they say I have to wait 2 week to build it!!!
In my country it's illegal to take money before you can deliver a product. You are only allowed to take a deposit. Those guy's are creating big cash flow for their company on our back

Installing the JDL uel on my turbo kit gave me 20-25 whp untuned. That right there tells you something. All the NA dynos with the uel show killer perfoance increases...

You chose wisely

I absolutely love my JDL EL catted header! Motiv overpipe and catted front pipe. Perrin resonated catback. Felt good with an OpenFlash tune. Feels AMAZING with a custom dyno tune. Pulls like a champ idle to redline! Very civil for DD duties. Roars when the hammer is down. I couldn't be happier!

So your turbot kit does not have a turbo manifold?

Do you have the sts kit, or I think the PL kit? Those are the only two that lets you use aftermarket headers from my knowledge.

So... JDL sounds just fine? I guess I can go ahead and pull the trigger then. Although, only the EL has a catted version, so it's the only one I can get. Thanks for the input.

BTW, does anyone know if their thermal coating is inside and out? or just outside of the header?

TIA

What is your reasoning for wanting a catted version? Emissions? Sound?

ptuning and sts kits retain the manifold

P&L has its own

As far as I know JDL do not offer a catted UEL header. Only catless.

That said, I'd highly recommend the JDL UEL not only for the superior construction, materials, welding, and collector quality, but also because of the inclusion of flex joints and lifetime warranty.

The FT86SF catted UEL header does not have nearly as much "boxer rumble" production as the JDL UEL. You will make significantly more top end hp with a catless header and tune. You can keep volume and rasp under control by going with a catted and resonated 2.5" front pipe, which JDL will make for you along with an overpipe, or you can get cheaper versions of both which will still fit perfectly, but won't be as pretty.

Oh and DO NOT wrap the header if you want to keep your warranty. JDL will not honor the warranty if you wrap it since it can accelerate corrosion by trapping moisture and lead to weld failures. Ceramic coat it or leave it bare. Wrapping it will not do anything significant for dampening sound.

The "in stock" message on the website is an oversight on our part. A while back we did a large production run of headers and we truly did have headers on the shelf. That message should have been taken off the website after those parts were shipped, but we don't have a dedicated web guy so it seems like that one slipped through the cracks... we apologize for that. It was definitely NOT an intentional bait-and-switch tactic. As far as taking payment up front, that is a standard practice. We aren't ENRON over here (we wouldn't be smart enough to pull that off even if we wanted to.) ;)

At this point the headers are built to order (lead time varies based on workload, feel free to call the shop or PM me at any point for an estimate). If anyone has purchased headers under the premise of them being in stock and is not willing to wait, we can issue you a refund. However, in the long run I think you will be happy that you waited.

My reasons for a catted equal length header would be to keep the noise down. I already have a loud exhaust with my Berk cat delete front pipe and muffler delete axle back.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Lee@JDLAutoDesign. PM sent

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

I feel for anyone wanting the most out of a header the JDL UEL is the way to go. I ran their EL catless with stock overpipe, stock front pipe and Greddy Sp Elite axleback when I had my Innovate setup. The EL catless really woke the car up and it felt alot smoother through the rpm band. I have no personal experience with their UEL but there is a fair amount running around AZ with them. Their UEL seems to be made of bits of unicorns and fairy dust because the gains some people are getting on just a header and tune are insanely good. Best part is all the numbers fromt their headers are from 3rd party dyno's. No manufacture inflation numbers and all the jazz.

I have JDL UEL header with Perrin 3" exhaust system...love the sound so much. driving my car just like driving a BIG JAMBOX on the street...always got cops attention.

I personally own the FT86SF catted UEL and i love it but with that said I'm pretty sure that JDL makes the most hp of any UEL to date (have yet to see the FT86SF uncatted UEL dyno tuned yet).

Here is the best comparison i could come up with. Both headers on the same dyno tuned by the same people. differences are date, weather im sure and the car with the FT86SF header had full exhaust while the JDL car was otherwise stock. but its about as close as i think we can get as a comparison as of right now. I read it as SF header makes good power untuned and eliminates the torque dip while the JDL makes amazing power numbers. Makes me kind of wish i ordered the uncatted verson the SF header. (but i like how quiet my exhaust is when cruzing :D)

FT86SF CATTED UEL with full exhaust
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...postcount=1815

JDL UNCATTED UEL stock exhaust
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=23

I really want to see what the uncatted version of the FT86SF header would do. It would definitely make for a better comparison but there hasn't been many shipped yet

Both emissions and sound.

Catted EL header it is then...

Had my JDL UEL on the car since the initial group buy. Got it chrome coated and absolutely love it. The dynos all reinforced my purchase and now I'm considering supercharging so I can keep it. That's how awesome it is. $1000 for a coated header with a lifetime warranty is awesome. I can't wait to get on the dyno with it.

Anyone know whether a too good resonator will not only kill rasp and drone, but also kill rumble?

Like this one:http://jdlautodesign.net/shop/ft86-u...et-front-pipe/

Has nothing to do with the rumble, just the sound volume and rasp. The header controls the rumble and the runner lengths.

I made that comment a loooooong time ago before JDL started officially selling catted UEL headers.

FYI, ft86speedfactory said I would have to wait 12 weeks for my header but they got it to me in 4 weeks, also speed factory is a small operation so they make headers when they are ordered, they don't prefab them and wait on stock. That said, my headers are truly outstanding, I've received compliments from my tuner saying it pulls like a top quality uncatted UEL, however the JDL looks like a solid design with great quality so I would expect similar if not identical performance out of it for that lower price point.

Hi. I am undecided between jdl uel catted and Speedfactory.
I like coating of jdl, speed factory does not.
They sound the same? not looking for a huge noise
I have installed axleback topspeed
I do not like JDL proximity to tube radiator water and pulley. (This gives problems?)
neither of these two headers have flexible tube .... it is not necessary?
I would like to keep out of tune and do not want CEL.
please can you help me choose?
Thank you so much for its wide and reasoned responses. :aclamaciones:

:cry:

I'd go with JDL or whichever one is cheaper lol since you don't want a CEL it's going to be the same since they're both going to be catted.

My JDL UEL doesn't appear to come unacceptably close to anything in my opinion. I started logging data after install so I can't tell you before/after but my water temps turned out to be running cooler than I thought.

If you are concerned, the coating will help with temperatures. I went with uncoated because I got a good deal and it is a touch lighter.

you have no coating lower temperatures in engine compartment?
more changes you notice?
was no tune?
sound is too loud?
Thank you

Not sure what temperatures are before vs after, but in my opinion cooling isn't a big problem on this car.

More changes? Yes, it sounds nice :)

I have a tune. You will want one for sure if you go UEL because the variable valve timing needs to be different.

I don't think it's too loud. I pass sound at my local race track with the uncatted UEL, stock front pipe, and a muffler delete. If you drive slowly it also stays pretty quiet, or you can use an actual muffler.

his header is catted or uncharted?
catted header need a tune?
I want catted for fear of not approve test exhaust gases

I am very interested in this thread, in seeing dynos of the catted and catless UELs of FT86 and JDL if there are any.