Borla EL header exhaust leak/Will I need a retune
 

Little history, I bought my 13' brz a year or so ago with a full exhaust already installed: Borla EL Headers, mid-pipe, and cat. I noticed I was slowly losing a few mpg's, eventually I noticed an audible exhaust leak as it got worse. after reading about the Borla v1 header "quality" on here I decided to pull my headers, sure enough the header broke loose at the mating plate to the engine. Chris at Borla told me they won't honor the 1,000,000 mile warranty since I don't have the receipt and "so much fraud happens with these headers with people getting a new set and selling the old "repaired" set that eventually fails again and the buyer trying to get the warranty on ones that were already warranted". No chance of getting a receipt, car was from a used car lot. I took it to a local machine shop, they unsuccessfully tried to weld it up, the patch only lasted 1,000 miles or so, as the exhaust leak returned and so did the lower mpg's. So now I'm looking at new headers, and I don't want anything Borla.

Now my question, I know my car was tuned by JMS racing in San Antonio, TX with Ecutek. If I get a different set/brand of EL headers, will I need a new tune?

Short answer: If the tuner was any good, no, you won't need it re-tuned if you stay with equal-length headers.

Oh, another satisfied Borla customer. Dammit. Borla, like many aftermarket companies, have sold out completely. They leverage whatever is left of their name and reputation to sell eBay-quality parts with a warranty claim that borders on fraudulent. I wouldn't install Borla parts if they were free.

I've heard the same bullsh*t Borla warranty story a million times in the last few years.

Borla sucks imo, from what I gathered from chris in the warranty department is that they'd only warranty the part you purchased once. If it fails again you're just SOL. And man does this header rattle even before the leak, I'm not surprised it broke, especially with the crap button tacks on the exhaust flange, literally ZERO penetration. I get trying to avoid warpage, but these things looked like I could of flicked them off. And the v2 design on their uel header isn't something I'd consider. I mean, ss braided flex pipe doesn't belong on a "high" quality exhaust, that's something I'd expect to find on eBay. Thank you for your response Spartarus.

I agree ........ :thumbsup:


humfrz

You guys think long tube EL headers could be an option as well?

Say these? http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106821

Yes, that would be an option, but a long tube, EL header would sound different and might benefit from a new tune ..... :)


humfrz

I lost my job awhile ago and can't afford a new tune, I just don't want to blow my engine, cuz I for sure can't afford that lol

Sorry to hear you lost your job ....... :(

I hope another opportunity opens up soon for you.

In that case, I reckon your existing tune will get you by.

Good luck with your job search.


humfrz

Thanks man, I'm renting jet skis on the beach for the summer:D, just doesn't pay as much :cry:

Well, there sure are worst "stop the bleeding" jobs out there ...... :thumbsup:

Little lady, yes, you with the skimpy swim suit, hop on in front of me, let's make sure you know how to operate this machine. Now, snuggle your rear end down and wiggle around to make you got a nice firm seating. ........


humfrz