Uncatted Header - worth the trouble? what can I expect?
 

Thinking of buying OpenFlash Header for my BRZ

What consequences can I expect of having an uncatted header?

My car is registered in Quebec.

1. will I get in trouble with the cops?
2. do I have to revert back to stock every time I have to go for mechanical inspection?
3. anything else I should be aware of?

:thanks:

1. Nah

2. You don’t have to go for inspections anymore

3. Nah, go have fun! Make sure you get a tune

Awesome

Thanks!

Cool story bro story from 86MLR:

I have noticed no real difference between MY17 decated header and a Tomei UEL header ($800AUD), that was with a 2.5" overpipe, catless 2.5" front pipe and 2.5" cat back.

Ecutek tuning

Actually, the only real noticable difference the UEL had was the deafening noise now at cold start.

So I replaced the OEM cated front pipe and full OEM exhaust which lost a little up top but knocked cold start noise right down. Exhaust was much quiter.

From there I punched out the cat in the OEM overpipe.

Cold start is now still pretty loud (I defeat it by resting my foot on the accelerator), cold start is now 105db, once cold start is finished the exhaust idles at 63db and tops out at 83db at 7k rpm.

So, now, my car doesn't have a heat signature of a Carl Gustaf rocket laucher, but makes the same power as when it did.

I am seriously contemplating replacing the decated OEM header, the only real noticable difference the UEL header has over the OEM decat is annoyingly loud cold start and a dropped cylinder beat.

Moral of the story, don't waste your time with a UEL header, a OEM header with it's guts knocked out will flow typical at these power levels.

If you do get a aftermarket header make sure it flows better within your powerband than a decated OEM header.

Someone should send you and me a ACE A350 for "comparison testing".

Opinions may vary

Thank you for sharing!

Do you think I would lose a noticable amount of power (compared to alternatives) with an UEL?

I picked UEL hoping to get a nice rumble, that would be complemented later on by a header/cat back exhaust system .

Lose power with a catles UEL header, no, make power compared to a punched out OEM header, no.

Any aftermarket catless header will be better than a cated one.

If you want to make more power, as stated, I haven't tried a good aftermarket 4:2:1, maybe a ACE or JDL would give me more? Maybe?

Honestly, I would decat the OEM and used the money saved for dyno time with a Ecutek tuning solution.

After you remove the restrictions from the cats, it all about a "good" tuners ability and having a play for a while.

Later if you need another 5hp or torque you can look at dropping $1-2k on it.

Have a look at fluid dynamics IRT header and exhaust design.

If you want the rumble, a UEL header will give you that, it will be louder with the 2.25" OEM front pipe punched out and stock exhaust, a 2.5" catless exhaust with a resonator and rear box will be loud to the point of being annoying.


I cannot really comment on sound as that is too subjective.

Me, I just like to have the most power, with the least noise.

OEM exhaust parts are cheap, sometimes free, so playing around costs next to nothing.

Have fun

Opinions may vary

I started thinking about replacing the header when I saw this deal: https://clubstore.brzworld.ca/produc...h-header-combo

$1050 CAD for OFT + OFH (approx $780 USD)

I like the OFT because I can always revert back to stock if I need to go in for warranty work.

Ofh has been discontinued. I would check if its actually in stock before making a decision lol

I believe that the price is USD not CAD, I emailed ways back.
Not 100% sure...

Ah you're right.. it is USD.

That's strange for a .CA site

I agree. I got excited on the price too.

There is somebody local selling a OFH V2 for $500 CAD.
I've seen used OFT's selling for 450-500 which puts it right around 1000 bucks which is a good deal.
I'm tempted but I'm going Catted UEL when the time comes.