not sure if i want headers or not??
 

I've had my frs for about a month now. Believe it or not, its the most powerful car I've owned. I know, pretty pathetic. Every car I've owned before this, had less than 150hp. So FRS to me, its decent. But I think i do want some UEL, for mid range torque. I don't care about top end power. So its obvious, i think the car needs a bit more power. Although, its pretty adequate, since I've only owned cars with less power for my whole life.

So i bought my car with a Borla axle back. I'm not sure which headers to go for, if i do decided to buy them. But I also know i will need to invest in an OFT or a tune. I'd most likely go OFT though. There are so many choices for both UEL and EL for these cars. I do want UEL though.

Now, the dilemma. I don't really want my car much louder than it is. I don't mind a bit louder. I do like the "subaru rumble" that you get from UEL though. I've been looking at the gruppe S UEL. From what I've read, its pretty similar to the Tomei.

I don't track my car, but might take once here and there, but never been on the track before. This is primarily for street. Is the heat shield wrap for the oil pan necessary? Also, if i do go with the Gruppe S, should i just pay the extra dollars for the front pipe?

disclaimer, i know nothing about headers, or exhaust systems in general.

Also, if not Gruppe S or Tomei, which UEL would you suggest, and why?

Gruppe-S Is very similar to Tomei. Bang for buck it's a good choice.

I would how ever suggest you do more research. You want the car to not be much louder than your axleback. You want to add a catless header, and you're talking about front pipes. A lot of conflicting information happening.

I know, that's my concern. I want a bit more torque, and i want mid range, not top end. Although i know its going to be louder, but not sure if its going to be loud for my liking.

Does adding a header add drone? My exhaust doesn't really have drone, imo.

Do you all have access to E85? That would give you what you want without the loudness of a catless header. Maybe start with a good tune first and go from there? You'd have to get a tune if you got a catless header anyway.

I suggest you just leave the exhaust system the way it is - :)

Why? Because if you start messing with it may not pass a smog test, it may be too loud/raspy/drone, you have to mess with the tune (warranty?) and it costs money.

See, all that time, fuss and money I saved you - :D


humfrz

The Crawford billet power blocks shift the power band down, but at a cost* to the top end.

No E85 here

No more smog test here. We got rid of it April 1st of this year.

I guess you saved me money..lol.

I'll look into that.

Get gruppe-s. Love mine. I also recommend a quiet catback. I have a q300 with gruppe-s uel and stock everything else. The volume is perfect if you want the power but not the loudness. No drone. When you are in 6th and give it some gas to pass someone, you hear a satisfying deep rumble.
Like you, extra low end power was my main priority.
My setup is exactly what I was looking for. You can spot quiet catbacks like the Invidia q300, perrin, or corsa in the used engine parts section for a good deal.

Punch out the cat in the OEM header, punch out the cat in the OEM front pipe, full OEM exhaust, not loud, flows well up to 200hpatw.

Or

Because UEL headers are loud.

Catless UEL header, 2.5" overpipe, decat full OEM 2.25" exhaust, then a Ecutek tune. (My current set up after getting sick of noise for no gain).

Cat back is wasting money NA, the 2.25" front pipe back flows well up to around 200 hpatw.

You don't need to sleeve the cat.

Don't believe, do the math, do a run.

Profit

Cool story bro: I know a supercharged 86 that got around 270hpatw (200kwatw) with a full decat header and stock decat exhaust and some hours on a Ecutek. Apples and oranges yes, but still. With a full exhaust it made 15kw more after some tinkering.

After the header and decat the rest is 100% in the tune.

IF, you race for sheep stations and are looking for a tenths a lap then more though into design would be of advantage.

If your a punter driving to work or through some twisties on the weekend, you ain't gonna notice jack squat, yes yes yes, unless your awesome......

Opinions may vary

No e-tests, but you can still be fined for removing emissions equipment if caught.


How much more power, and where in the RPM band, do you want it? The billet power blocks shift the peak power sooner, but they don't add a ton of low rpm power, most of their benefit is still north of 5k rpm. If you want the best midrange power, look at the ACE 350 or JDL 4-2-1 EL header, they'll both make more midrange power than the UEL's on the market.



This is the JDL 4-2-1 EL (blue) vs the JDL UEL (red), gains compared to stock will be a lot more drastic:
https://jdlautodesign.net/wp-content...21-600x337.jpg

A good tune might be all you need to be happy though.

To be honest, I would find a good tuner by you, take it to them and say "this is how much money I have" and they'll take care of the rest.

My suggestion is used name brand header (dont stress uel or el) open flash tablet and be done with it. Car will be quiet if rest of exhaust is stock.

If you feel the stock power is decent, but are looking for a bit more mid-range torque, starting with a tune is probably the best bang for your buck. Eliminating that torque dip, and giving you a steadier powerband, may surprise you and even satisfy you... for a short time. Then, you'll have the tune capability already available for your next mod. ;)

If you plan on driving the car during winter and they salt the heck out of the roads, it's not a good idea to put wrapping on the headers. The wrap will concentrate the buildup of dried road salt which will accelerate corrosion even if the header is made of stainless steel (might even induce stress cracking?).