Exhaust + Header Opinions
 

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum but have had my 15 Brz since Mar 2019. I'm just about ready to drop in a full exhaust system and wanted to see if anyone here is running any of the following header / catback combos.

Tomei UEL and Corsa Exhust or Ark DTS
Or
Ft86Speedfactory Catted UEL Headers and Corsa Exhaust or Ark Dts

I've searched and only found one youtube video with the JDL Catted Headers and Corsa exhaust and it does sound great but from other clips the Tomei UEL headers do sound more "Subie" like to me.
My main question is will the Tomei UEL be overkill soundwise with the exhaust listed above or would it still be bearable? Also the exhausts above market a lot towards no drone but with a catless header would that still be the case?

I know a lot of this is subjective but if anyone has some opinions or may be running any of these variations I would love to hear your thoughts. :party0030:

As I'm very old, the idea of spending all that money for a different sound, just seems wrong. There is almost no advantage for power.


My 69 Cutlass, with a 502 Crate motor, had 3" from the header through 3" open mufflers, with the crossover in just the right place, and they dumped out just in front of the rear wheels, legal in Canada with a 2 door. I could set off all the car alarms on the side of the road if I got a bit jiggy. ;)

Find local guys with exhaust and headers and get a ride or drive their car. Best way to figure it out.

The header does help with the dip. Definitely some power there, still likely high price per hp and torque but worth it, assuming you have done better bang for buck mods like tires, alignment and perhaps suspension if you are on higher mile stock suspension.

My first car was my dads old 69 cutlass, red with black top, stock engine. That thing was fun. Can only imagine how much fun a 502 crate motor would be. Sadly in NY it rusted nearly everywhere and was put down in 1988. In was a Flintstone car with holes in both floor pans.

I would stay away from catless headers and Corsa. Their tuning tech uses the cats to regulate DBs. Those who go catless end up changing catbacks.
They're cleverly tuned with no muffler. Corsa only guarantee no drone on otherwise stock exhaust.

I would not pay more than $2500 for at most 15 HP. Just the catback is enough for sound and Corsa is still too expensive for that. CSG Spec Touring 86 is cheaper with very good sound. Or HKS Hi Power Spec L (what I have) is the lightest but a little louder. If I want power, I would go all out to install a supercharger (which I did).

I have the Ark DTS and really like it, has a nice tone without being too loud. I’d say it’s a “mature” exhaust. I’m in CA and haven’t had any issues with getting pulled over, but I’m also on stock headers. Be sure to figure in a tune for those headers to get the most out of them and eliminate CELs.

Thank you guys for quick responses. I do agree the price to HP is off by alot and I did forget at minimum I need a opens flash tune unless I do the ekutech for maximum gains. Once things start opening back up if I hear about a local meet I'll go and see if I can meet any fellow 86/brz/frs homies and check out their set up. Still if anyone has more to add please do! :cheers:

I love my Tomei UEL. Keep your stock frontpipe and it'll be fine.

I'd rather run a catless header than a catless frontpipe any day.

Punch out your stock cat in the header.

Or, even better, get a header of a 17+ car and punch that cat out.

95% of the gains for the cost of a few gaskets.

Only downside is no brand name to impress random people, if you don't like the "new sound" it only cost a couple of bucks.

Opinions may vary

And my god, everyone has opinions on punched out OEM cats, mainly the people who have never done it before.

I agree, this is what I did. And tune of course.

Don't forget to get some stickers for even more HP gains.

Do you also think it's wrong to install different wheels, an aftermarket stereo or window tint? Those have no advantage for power either.

Sound is a huge part of how a car feels. That's why there's a factory-installed tube running to the passenger footwell to pipe in intake noise from the engine. A car with a good sounding exhaust will feel faster and more engaging to drive even when there's no power improvement at all.

I waited quite a while before installing my Corsa. I know for a fact it's merely a cosmetic mod. Yet the car is more fun to drive.

It was worth every fucking penny.

.