Unequal Length Header Noise
 

So I just installed my Borla UEL Header yesterday and torqued down everything (gaskets, bolts evenly) and now when I accelerate I hear this "Wooshing" noise when accelerating? has anyone ever had any experience with this issue with installing UEL headers in general (Borla, JDL, OFH, Revworks etc..)?

define "woosh". Like turbo woosh or supercharger woosh?

Since Borla has a bad rep with their quality of products I would go ahead and double check their welds.

Yeah it sounds like a Turbo Woosh.. like a rush of air when on throttle

I'd check welds. Sounds like a leak somewhere.

I know what your talking about I have a rev works header. It does sound kind of like an exhaust leak but I was told its because of the thinner metal used......Im sure guys will chime in on this.

Both my borla uel and OFH make that sound. Confirmed no exhaust leak on both setups from an exhaust shop multiple times. Its just a side effect of going catless, no heat shielding, and thinner gauge metal.

Is it sort of similar to what a cold air intake sounds like?

What I really want to know is, is it a good sound, bad sound, or neither really?

Thank you all for your fast responses. Im guessing the best way to eliminate that sound is to use header wrap + sound tube delete or sound tube delete.. ill give that a shot and update you guys when I have the chance.. But that "wooshing" sound is not there at engine idle..

Yes its similiar to a cold air intake sound but IMO it doesnt sound bad or good.. The sound I was expecting for this upgrade is a CLOSED TIGHT system where the only sound should be the engine and rumble from the exhaust.. But maybe because I have the sound tube Im hearing all the noises in the engine bay.. but ill ride with this for a few days and hopefully everything will clear up if not then ill use header wrap and do a sound tube delete..

Have that too, I really think is the sound of exhaust air rushing out. Every time I go under the cat to do some work I always check for leaks and nothing.

How do these uels sound? Is the rumble achieved worth the cost?

Absolutely and you get performance to boot.

imho people with only cbe and NA are just as bad as ricer civics with fart cans.

But the UEL I want takes 1.5-2 months to arrive at peoples' doorsteps :cry:

I'm wondering if I should just get the Tomei... looks like solid quality. The wait is probably much less than the other popular headers.

Unequal Length Header Noise
 

Haha I kinda agree about cbe+na owners. All subjective tho.

I'm putting a UEL header on my stock exhaust soon. Its the exhaust piece that nets the most gains And it's cheaper than a cbe too. Win win.

Edit: Plus I think the UEL sounds nice and refined on the stock exhaust for what I've seen

I have a borla uel as well. I park my car in the garage, so when I cold start I definitely hear more engine noise up front echoing off the garage walls. I also hear engine noise when accelerating hard while running along a curb, cement barrier or a building. I've had it checked for leaks and was told there are no leaks. the excessive engine noise is from the thin metal of the aftermarket header. I was also told not to wrap the header because while it will quiet the motor noise, it will trap all of the heat in the header and cause premature wear. Not sure if that is correct or not?

I've read this in passing in other threads as well.

I used to have the same whooshing sound on my borla uel header before I installed the vortech under throttle. My header is also wrapped. No issues, tuner didn't find anything unusual while having my car tuned.

The cold start sound is for a completely different reason.
You can get rid of it using romraider.

All headers will "sing" a bit compared to a cast manifold or even a thick tubular manifold.

The header walls are a lot thinner than the cast manifold, so they will be more noisy than stock. I'm not sure about a "whoosh" sound though.

EDIT: FWIW, my header, after fixing all of the exhaust leaks sounds like a tight system.

Well, at that price point, you get tunes that were made for it as well.
Honestly the wait is fine, people are just impatient and Americans even more so for some reason.
It'll all be out the window once you have it installed.

Thats just silly. Boxer engines sound fantastic with the right exhaust. Not everyone cares about the performance gains associated with a proper exhaust, some just want to hear that nice tone.

Both my borla and my Revworks header make that air/ticking/noise, header wrap muffles it very well

Not to thread jack, but I am looking into ordering a UEL header very soon and I'm having a hard time choosing which one. Do the Borla / Revworks throw CELs?

Do it! Order the Tomei Headers! I did and was just informed that mine will probably be here within the next week or two. *can't wait*

Yeap, I am sure that is what the civic guy thought too.

It is just my opinion, feel free to spend more money on a cbe for NA that give you sound only.

Oh stop, plenty of people do things just for the aesthetics. Your statement also applies to those who lower their cars just for looks, which likely includes yourself.

Yeap, sure. Whatever makes you feel better.

My Borla makes that noise. It can be described as a rush of air or hissing or something, only happens during load, not during free rev. Also during the initial cold start. Both the Borlas I've had make this noise. I have a 3rd warranty replacement on the way (apparently they redesigned it again). Anyway I did verify some blowby on my exhaust gaskets but I'm not sure if that's 100% the cause of the noise - it could mostly be coming from the fact that the metal is much thinner than stock.

Sorry chief but you know it's true. People mod their cars for performance and aesthetics, usually in the same mod, this goes for owners across the board. I'm not trying to fight or argue but you can't say that you buy mods 100% only for performance aspects. So you might be a part of the civic group.

As others have stated, this is normal. I have a JDL UEL header, it's coated and I hear this noise (my sound generator is removed and I do not have a plug in place). Without the heat-shield, like the factory header, and with the unequal length design you are going to hear more noise. I look at this as a plus and think it sounds pretty sweet.

If you had a leak bad enough to cause an audible noise, especially a woosh (This would mean a BIG leak), you would also be engulfed in a sea of exhaust gas stench... ask me how I know.

Not that you needed any more confirmation, but I have a JDL UEL header (which is properly torqued down and has no issues) and I can also hear the sound of "air" (exhaust, really) moving at certain RPMs. I like it. It makes the car sound a bit more raw, and alive.

Learn to read rather than arguing over a mute 1 dimensional point.

I still have the stock header, but an aftermarket overpipe and catless front pipe. On heavy acceleration there's a slight whoosh noise, almost like the car is breathing in on the upshifts. That's the only whoosh I hear and I love the noise personally.

Not my video, but is this the sound the OP is referring to?
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru20kQ1YOvY"]Borla UEL BRZ Catless - YouTube[/ame]

I know how to read.. what did I overlook/misinterpret?

Yes I can hear that wooshing noise but its more noticable in the car.. btw your setup sounds good.

my buddy and i have the RevWorks UEL and have the same problem. I think its normal. His seems to be more prominent due to a quieter exhaust

I am sure you can figure it out for yourself.

Here's a video of my Tsudo UEL header. When my buddy is recording near the front of the car, you can hear the air whoosh noise. I thought it was a leak at first, but it's not.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GaCi7blRH4"]BRZ Tsudo UEL Header + Perrin 3" non-res CBE - YouTube[/ame]