Header question
 

Hey guys been looking into potential header choices and I've seen CNT Racing UEL headers a lot, theyre cheap so I'm a little skeptical I want to know if anyone here has had them and if anyone has sound clips of JUST the CNT UEL header on and no other mods. Thank you !

Also as a side note do you think I will have any issues or severe loss/missing out on power because I'll be using catless UEL headers on the stock exhaust and front/mid pipe

A header is a good mod for these cars. A cheap UEL can work fine. I don't know about your specific CNT one but i'm sure it will be fine as long as the build quality isn't total crap. You will need a tune to gain any power and to keep it from giving you CELs constantly tho.

I second this, catless UEL header is fine with stock cat back exhaust, just make sure you get a tuning solution. Ideally would be a custom e-tune, but you could pick up a used OFT and use one of the stage 2 maps and should work fine.

What you save with the CNT header, you potentially pay for in QC. You could get one that is great, you could get one that has booger welds and warped flanges made by a hungover Monday morning apprentice. Other "cheaper" options are the Tomei or Groupe-S, those are pretty reasonably priced, shown to have good gains, with good quality. Or hunt used.

Running the stock OP/FP is fine. When it comes to the other exhaust components you are getting progressively diminishing returns. The next step would be a FP with a high flow cat or no cat, but again, you are paying a good chunk a change for not a lot of gain.

If you want a good amount of instant gain look for a 17'+ manual 4.3 dif. Makes a good difference and you can find clean used ones for what a front pipe cost. I got one out of a wreaked car that had 18K miles for 575 shipped to my door.

Just get the gruppe-s and call it a day. See the commercial classifieds section. Cheap, FP included, and clean welds.

I bought the CNT headers in 2016. Ran it until 2018 with no issues. The guy I sold it to is still running it. This is through salt and corrosion as well.

Yes, it's not perfect. The collector was really ugly inside, but guess what? Flanges were flat and it fit perfectly. Cheapest way to get UEL sound, but don't expect much power difference.

https://youtu.be/KvvHRiykkS4

https://youtu.be/MIlEz3V4rag

Here are two videos I have with JUST the CNT headers- totally stock exhaust and engine, only a tune

This might be a dumb question, but does tuning out the CEL actually get rid of it so you can pass emissions inspection or does it just stop the light from coming on?

I am not sure, its not something i have paid attention too since i am in Australia and we have different regs here.

No.
If you go catless you will fail.
The tune just turns of the light.

Decat 17+ oem header and get a good tune.

Decatted 17+ oem header will give typical gains to aftermarket catless headers.

Money saved from buying aftermarket headers can be spent on the tune which will net more gains than some brand name header with a sub-par flash or tune.

Plus, you don't need to wrap or coat anything, plus it will pass a visual inspection, plus, it won't crack.

Unless it is a competitive race car and you need every little bit of power and reliability you can tune into it, then, go research and find a good EL header because you don't need marketing, hype or noise.

He still needs a CAT for emissions testing.

My experience and observation says a decent header and open flash tablet will get you some decent gains without having to become a pen pal with a tuner somewhere.

OP stated he wanted catless, legalities are a separate issue.

I don't understand the "pen pal" bit.

Apart from the initial communications with the tuner, it is drop off the car for 2 days, then, you should never have to see the tuner again unless you are making major changes.

I truly don't see the fascination with open flash tablets, unless you are on an extremely tight budget or live along way away from a tuner.

Even then, the additional cost of a dyno tune with an actually good tuner isn't that much different than the generic one tune fits all with a "revision or 2".

People will pay for their "ultimate" header, then spend more on a catback than a proper tune?

Maybe people have been bitten by muppets who call themselves tuners but, in truth, are far from it.

Meh