Catted UEL Headers: JDL vs. Speedfactory?
 

I'm thinking of getting either the JDL or Speedfactory catted UEL headers. Right now I'm leaning towards the Speedfactory headers, but the price and long lead times are making me think twice.
Has anyone got the JDL headers? Some searching seems to turn up a few complaints about fitment, particularly O2 sensor location and clearances with the skid plate and oil pan.
Are either of these easy to bolt on without access to a lift? I can get Jack stands but not a lift. Would I need to remove the over pipe and front pipe first?

I have some of the same questions to. Every time I look at the photos of the products on their respective sites the welds look better on JDL but it seems the speed factory one has better overall fit. The lead time is a killer at speed factory if the welds come out looking like they do on the listed product image.

You can install either without a lift. Just prop your car up on stands and it will be pretty easy. I have the Nameless Performance headers and they have that wacky loop around and I could fit it under my car. As for fitment, they will fit fine. The only thing is you may need a flex joint socket for the UEL aspect on one of the nuts. I can't comment on the O2 sensor, but I don't see why it would be an issue.

Also, either header would do the job, honestly. The only perk JDL has over SpeedFactory would be the thermal coating.

Is there any real advantage to thermal coating in a non-FI setup?

It will keep it looking pretty and lower engine bay temps... other than that, no... My JDL is uncoated... and I track my car

Did you have any fitment/clearance issues installing it?

No, but mine is the catless UEL

I did have the FT86 before and had no issues with it

I have the catted JDL. There is one nut on the block which is difficult to get too. I ended up using a open ended wrench to tighten it down. One bolt on the over pipe flange needed to be shortened slightly so that it wouldn't make contact with the cat. The O2 port is a little further away from the original position, but the bracket that the wires clip on to can be bent by hand to provide enough slack to install the sensor. I've heard the header vibrate against the aluminum plate and I've seen on the header where it's rubbing, but it is only noticeable at a certain rpm (I think 1k - 2k).

It can be installed with a floor jack and jack stands. You don't need a lift.

First off, great choice of headers, cant go wrong with either.

Even with a non-FI car, IMO I'd go with the coating only because airflow through this engine bay is about as stagnent as a puddle.

I have the ft86 catted header and love it. installation was pretty easy also. only thing is for one bolt you need a flex joint for your socket but thats about it. It's also probably easiest to unbolt the overpipe so you have the wiggle room to get fitment right.

If anyone is having fitment issue's please contact us. There should not be any. It means the fixtures we have were not utilized correctly by the fabricator/employee. We've been through a few different fabricators/employee because of issues like this not meeting our standards. Contact us and we'll take care of it.

What's the lead time on these headers?

I just put the JDL UEL cat less on mine. it was a gorgeous piece of kit. fit was fine. a bunch of ATL86 recommend using the grim speed gaskets as the stock ones seem to leak after a few months.

the UEL reduced to the huge torque dip to a little dip. I made 190rwhp on 93oct and 216 on E85 with a huge gain where that tq dip is. And it sounds like a Subaru.

I almost went ft86 but some of the locals had the JDL and it sounded so good.

Both sound great, JDL has a bit more agressive rumble, due to the more unequal setup... and both produce similar power, at least on my car.

JDL tuned
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...c.png~original

FT86Speedfactory uncatted and tuned

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...b.png~original