UEL headers sound level (volume)
 

First post, new BRZ, searched the forums extensively, listened to clips etc....

How loud are UEL headers only on one of the twins? In the clips they sound great but there are so many variables of how it was recorded and played back to get an accurate idea.

I ask as I got a custom exhaust on my bike that sounded great online but was too loud for my taste which I was able to tame by buying some exhaust baffles and modifying them to fit/tune for the sound I wanted.

Does any have db level of one with stock exhausts to give me an idea? I have found them described as too loud with an aftermarket exhaust to not too loud with stock exhaust but nothing not subjective to ones opinion.

Thanks

I think for something subjective like this, your best bet is to look for local owners and hear them in person.

It's not really about UEL vs EL for sound (and nothing makes a UEL make sense to me, but hey...)

However, wall thickness and whether it has a catalytic converter both play a huge role in sound levels. It's got less stuff between the header and you no matter what (no heat shield,) but... how loud does it go is a pretty big range.

My setup gets a bit frustrating on the highway for road-trips (it gets loudest right around 70mph) but can be surprisingly quiet otherwise - if I'm careful about avoiding WOT and keeping overall load down. I've got the most help I could put on what is otherwise likely the worst possible scenario - catless header, thin walls, and a large pipe size all the way through; cat still on the front-pipe but high-flow, so there are two resonators stuffed in there and it's still a dual-exit muffler.

That said, the videos are rarely useful - too many compromises in both microphones AND in listening devices to really get a sense of how things sound. I think you just have to go find others with the same car that have various exhaust setups and find out for yourself.

dB levels have to be measured consistently to have much value. If people were really careful about it you could do comparisons but...

C

I have this setup. I can confirm it's quiet, but I don't own a db-meter. No, phones don't count as an accurate measure of sound volume.

I have a UEL w/ stock exhaust and its not very loud at all. It's barely louder than stock in 1st gear but any higher gear it sounds just like stock which is extremely quiet.

Thanks for the replies. I'm looking for the Subaru trademark sound and think I will start with the headers and oft, I want it louder than stock but not obnoxious.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LtCZLd1vKk"]Gruppe-S UEL Header and Stock Catback on Subaru BRZ - YouTube[/ame]

There's much burble.

I like this set up
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilTyrO4_kcQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]MXP Comp RS 1320 UEL Headers - YouTube[/ame]

Whichever uel will give you boxer rumble, the problems are to keep volume down and that task relay on the front pipe.

I have the same exhaust set up. Maybe I'm death but I cannot hear the burble while I'm driving unless I'm starting off in first gear. I don't have any exhaust leaks either.

I've dabbled with a few different setups and changing up the catback is where things really start to get loud. Right not I've got the stock midpipe with Tomei UEL/overpipe, catted frontpipe and Borla axleback and it's perfect imo.

It's pretty subtle, but it's there. Roll the windows down and fold the seats down. It's pretty obvious like that.

UEL header with the stock exhaust and cat pipe will be louder that stock but otherwise very quiet. There won't be much if any cruising speed drone either.

I didn't realize the Tomei UEL was only offered as catless. Good to know I can add a catted front pipe.

my exhaust dabble
 

I'll join in here. I have a Borla UEL and from there back is all stock. I bought a cheap-o straight front pipe. I cut a 10 inch section out, that allows me to insert a 10" Borla type-S muffler or a Vibrant bottle resonator-also a 10 inch case. The resonator looks pretty slick.


The muffler option is in case I want to do a muffler delete one day.
I want the resonator option to turn up the grumble just a bit with the rest of the stock system/UEL.


Any input would be more than welcome. I never have dabbled in plumbing before.