Opinions please on header
 

So I'm looking at going with a header since I want some more umph. I do currently have the ark catback and test pipe , but want to complete the exhaust side of things.

Can I have opinions on going catted vs non catted such as the hks setup. Not worried about cel since I'm tuned with my vortech.

Also can I have opinions about sound in terms of rasp without a catted header opposed to non catted annnnd of course opinions on noise level. Any regrets going no cat? Stuff like that. Thanks a bunch everyone!!

non catted will be louder (will also flow better). I am waiting to hear a few sound clips for the JDL header and rev works header with a nameless a/b before I makea decision. I can tell you though that I will be going w/o a cat in the header.

Are you looking for EL or UEL?

I to need help on my headers! I want to get the ARK DT-S exhaust but first I'm getting headers. I can't find many videos on the JDL headers, nor can I figure out which one i want UEL or EL. I have heard many bad stories about Borla so idk if I'm going to go with that because I know my baby deserves the best! Haha

Non catted. The header is the most restrictive part of the exhaust when paired with a tune from a lot of results I've seen. The most flow will also pass by the cat there and will most likely wear it out quicker. It won't affect horsepower too much, but it certainly is more expensive to have another cat on the header.

Personally, I'd keep one cat in the front pipe and a good axleback/catback to manage the sound to get a nice exhaust note with no rasp.

Pick UEL or EL first, catted will be quieter but may make less power. I have yet to see a variety of dynos for s/c+header. For catted options your going to be limited, nameless should be making a catted version but It would be best to ask them.

El to keep that awesome tone. Not too down with uel

Well I guess now my question is. Which one produces the most power non catted is fine. What numbers have you guys seen in terms of most gain and brand?

If you want EL, my personal preference of the available products would be FA20club. However, I'm not sure if it would work with your vortech unit

I haven't thought about it header would interfere with the vortech. It shouldn't actually since supercharging doesn't touch the exhaust

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...h+test+fitment

P&L fits with the Vortech kit.

It's not a matter of a SC not being hooked up to the exhaust, it's the way the piping is routed. Some EL headers come up higher in the engine bay and therefore may impede the location of the SC.

The above statement about P&L header is correct

Since I am planning on buying UEL headers and over pipe and test pipe etc not too far in the future, I decided to try something a little unconventional, and all the keep-all-the-stock-parts-stock-and-in-storage guys will hate this, but my friend and i dropped the stock manifold and front pipe, and completely cleared both cats out. We then bolted everything back on. I am currently waiting on another friend to have time to fit my custom made catback.. er.. frontpipe back exhaust on it, so i just have a straight pipe ending right by the rear diff.

The results are SUPER loud, which i absolutely love, but am afraid a noise-ordinance ticket is around the corner. Its pretty easy to keep it quiet enough not to disturb, until you need some power then it turns heads for miles (exaggeration, of course) although my dad can hear me coming up to his neighborhood from quite a ways off.

Definitely has a fair amount of raspy-ness (which I actually like), and when I let off the gas while in gear (i think most call this drone? i'm not sure.) The resonating noise is unpleasant at best, and echoes throughout the entire car.

I will be putting a not-very-restricting muffler on, included in the custom exhaust, and am hoping it tones down the exhaust just enough to cure my paranoia, but leaves it angry enough to please my ears.

I write all this to kind of show you what the "all hell breaks loose straight pipe" might give you in terms of sound. Its super loud, but anytime you get rid of the cats, which in my mind are sound stoppers (and fire stoppers) you will be very noticeably louder. I don't know the goals for your car, I definitely advise figuring out if power or sound or appearance etc is the determining factor. For me, for the moment anyways, I am just kind of experimenting with the extremes of the exhaust and finding that noise I like, until I decide on a forced induction kit.

Also being in CA, you may worry about CARB, I know next to nothing about CARB except that it apparently sucks! I definitely feel like I have more pull on the freeway onramp, but have no numbers other than butt dyno to prove that. Another thing to remember when going catless, is the to some horrible, but to me beautiful smell! haha. Definitely feels racecar every time I get a whiff.

To sum it up, if you like loud "racecar" noise, in my opinion catless is the best way. Many have told me it sounds like a rally car, some have said a muscle car (i'm assuming its been a while since they have heard a real muscle car) and some have told me its just too loud. If anyone here wants me to do it, I will try and film a decent video showing the noise levels on startup and driving etc. I just haven't had time to do it! I hope this helps your decision, if not, just ignore me and go about your research! :)

Non catted = more rasp/more flow

The question is do you want to hear more rasp for 3-4whp?

I opted for the catted FA20Club header and very happy with it.