Headers on the highway
 

I know headers are really a performance part but I was wondering do headers contribute a lot of drone while highway cruising? I would assume El headers have to drone as they are so loud, but just curious. Also I assume your other exhaust system parts contribute to done as well. I'm at the v1 catback only and I don't want to add headers if it's going to make my perfect system drone. **
Thanks!

I have the borla uel on right now, you can hear it but its not drone at all. I listen to audiobooks on long drives so I would be pretty sensitive to it.

headers will not contribute to drone, but if you are removing components of your exhaust that would make it more straight piped than not, you will increase the possibility of said drone.

Recommendation: Ensure your replacement products are capable of producing power and quality of sound when applied to your setup.

Example: Removing the factory catback and straight piping it removes your muffler which adds sound and likelihood of drone.

Assuming you have the FT86 Speedfactory V1 Catback, it doesn't have a resonated midpipe and would be VERY loud and drone on the highway. The V1 sounds great given a catted/resonated front pipe and catted header, but since it doesn't have a resonated midpipe it would be obnoxious with an aftermarket catless header added.

[ame]http://youtu.be/W0UcqE_HwVQ[/ame]

^Should give you a good idea. They answered a drone question in the comments and said it does drone around down with the Borla EL header and their V1 catback.


If you want to add a header and not drone get a catback that features a resonated midpipe like the Perrin.

Thanks for the feedback but I'd get uel anyway because I think El is just too intense. Maybe the Rev works.

No drone, but you will see a noticeable increase in engine noise. I have a EL catted header from P&L. Its a bit loud for me (i like quiet). But a catted option is gonna be a lot quieter then any non-catted UEL or EL option

Headers don't add drone, they can add rasp with the added engine noise. The catback section is what adds the drone.

With PPE Headers, Berk catted front pipe, and stock catback, I have no drone, just rasp. You can't really hear it from behind the car, as you can from the front or sides of the car.

What I want:
1) Smoother powerband.
2) More power.
3) Minimal noise increase.

Must have:
Ability to pass NC inspection.

The question is: which header design, EL or UEL, best meets this list?

What I want:
1) Smoother powerband.
2) More power.
3) Minimal noise increase.

Must have:
Ability to pass NC inspection.

The question is: which header design, EL or UEL, best meets this list?

Passing NC inspection isn't hard at all. Just be sure you have a tune if you are running catless to eliminate a CEL. Might be good to have a cat visible under the car if they do a visual. Don't take it to a dealership to have it inspected if they are picky about mods. Do it at a mom and pop shop, err whatever.

Since ECUtek tunes are very expensive you might want to consider a "CEL Eliminator" on the secondary O2 sensor instead. Very effective and inexpensive.

http://www.bigdaddiesgarage.com/

I used the angled version shown on my cat-less turbo XB and never got a cat related CEL in 5 years and 45k miles. I passed emission testing in MD 3 times with that car and no tune.

I've always wanted to put a mini cat in one of those spark plug non-foulers. I guess someone beat me to it! Cool, thanks for the link. Never knew they made them.

I have zero drone at all with Borla UEL and Perrin exhaust.

Do you have the entire system? I.e. front pipe, over pipe and muffler? Because that's the system I'm looking at right now and a friend told me I should get headers first, suggesting the Borla UEL, but I want the entire system, header, front pipe, over pipe, muffler. Also, do you have any videos of your setup?