Is a header worthwhile on a 2019?
 

I've been mulling over what I might do to extract a little more power from the 2019 BRZ I just bought. I've been thinking about a couple of modest changes, keeping it NA, a UEL catted header (from FT86), exhaust (probably Perrin), drop in air filter, and a tune (OFT or ECUTek). Nothing drastic, just some little things to perk it up a bit.

After reading the tons of great material here, I'm getting the impression that these changes achieve greater benefit on pre-2017 cars, and the 2017+ cars show less benefit (because of redesigned header, etc.).

I'm not expecting a dramatic difference in power or the shape of the power curve, but I also don't want to throw money away on things that won't improve the 'seat of pants' feel.

For those of you with 2017+ cars, do you think a header and tune are worthwhile? Or are the improvements too small to be worth it on newer cars?

Thank you!

Header and a tune are definitely worthwhile, though not as much if you're keeping the cat. If you have to keep the cat for emissions, then I would suggest just doing e85.

The rest of the exhaust is really just sound. You may pick up a few hp with a front pipe but it will be hard to notice a change in power.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81493

c'mon man, everybody know that header + tune is the first thing you do if you want a little power. if youre staying na that is.

you wont see drastic peak power "through the buttcheeks"

but itll smooth out the mid range power dip, so it pulls more consistantly or as my shop manager said while driving
"holy crap this thing has some @$$ now"

and then after about a week itll feel "slow" again cause you dont have the ramp up in power once you cross 5000 rpm like the stock tune or even s2000 feels


thats just honest with you haha. a good header and stage 2 tune and just send it. its really enjoyable if you can be content with what you have.

that said used on the marketplace are a few bolt on supercharger kits and a new header and oft is about half what you would be spending on those units. i recommend the vortech kits

No! Do not waste you money! Spend extra on a good tune, and E85 sensor/tune if available. If you want decent gains with a header get a high quality catless.

Not sure how that's a waste of money unless OP absolutely wants the most power gains (in which case get a 4-2-1 EL or similar).

Even the catted UEL can get your 15 or so more hp, plus flex fuel is a wee bit more. Then you can to change the tone of your car more.

It's not a bad deal at all unless you literally are looking for more HP.

if it were up to me, id get the hks el catless, sexy. not too expensive either. plus jdm goodness. but i only have the oe header:)
https://www.revworksinc.com/assets/i...z%20header.jpg

2017+ manuals got a new intake manifold, slight change to header, and a new tune to accommodate those changes resulting in a total gain of 5hp and 5ft lbs (at the crank not wheels) so even assuming the header was responsible for 80% of that so 4hp or 3.5whp. So take typical expected gains from a header on a pre 17 and subtract 3.5whp for new expected gains.

Also keep in mind unless drastically changing the design of the header like a 4-1 design, or a 4-2-1 design that utilizes the OP to effectively increase runner length of the 4-2 pipe, then roughly 80% of the gain from a new header is from removing the cats.

E85 especially with flex fuel is great by itself or in addition to any other modifications.

Punch out OEM cat.
For just the header: Cost = 3 gaskets and about a 1 or 2 hours.

To decat header and front pipe: Cost = 4 gaskets and around 3 hours.

I had typical results from a punched out OEM header as I did with a Tomei UEL.

The catless OEM was ALOT less noisy/raspy than the Tomei.

The heat sheilding on the OEM works well, you need a thermal solution with aftermarket, ceramic coating doesn't come close to OEM sheilding, wrapping works much much better.

You can get a cheap 200hp from a full OEM decat and the right tune.

If you "want" a good header get a good 4:2:1 and apply your thermal solution.

If you want to quiten it down a bit after a full decat I recommend a 2.5" duel resonated front pipe (no retune required)

If you were in Sydney you could use my old decatted system off my 2017 (same header design as yours).

IMO spend the majority of your money on a good tune.

Opinions may vary

Save your money. Keep it stock. Enjoy it for what it is and trade up in a few years.

Sorry there is no catted header out there that will give you 15hp. The gain comes from the tuning.



Stock exhaust plus tune +13hp.
Catted header plus tune +15hp.


2hp not worth the cost.

Would be good if people with 2017 + header posted dyno graphs

The after would be no different only the starting baseline would be slightly higher. Which like was stated is a 5hp/5ft lbs increase at the engine. So very minimal difference.

Most people will tell you that headers are better if uncatted, or if you punch out the stock cat on factory 2017+ headers.

That said, if you must have a cat, you can either go with a catted header by itself, or one that is designed with the OP/FP in mind like Apexi/HKS/Fujitsubo, so you're free to run whatever exhaust you want without compromising the noise.

Everyone will have their own expectation and ideas about how to make power on this platform. You have to decide what you actually want given the mods you listed, or you may have to readjust your goals accordingly.