I find the torque dip useful for comfortable driving cruising at 3k rpm / 55 mph, if you go over a bump on the highway and it shakes your foot it doesn't cause you to gun the engine

You're welcome for the free boost in you're thanks. I already know I can't spell for.

What??? I've never hit a bump on the highway and then accidentally gunned the throttle. Even so not having the torque dip wouldn't make a slight blip of the throttle any worse. We aren't driving 500hp V8's

Must be some huge ass pot holes where you live.

The GT86 designers engineered in the torque dip to keep the rear tires from breaking traction during acceleration at highway speeds from all that goddamn torque.

I suspect twice the HP and torque would not make some of you any better drivers.

I like some torque dip with my tortilla chips; guacamole gets boring after a while.

Re: the relatively broad torque curve this car has (despite the dip): surprised nobody has mentioned the square bore:stroke ratio (86mm X 86mm). This is the ideal compromise between a torque-heavy but horsepower limiting undersquare ratio, and the all top end, got no guts down low characteristics of an oversquare configuration.

So if just changing the header will remove the torque dip, what's the downside? Worse mileage?

I mean, it seems such a simple thing to change, there must be a tradeoff somewhere.

You won't pass smog and it's technically not street legal (even the catted options). You might also throw a CEL on stock programming. It will also make your exhaust system a bit louder and you may get some raspiness.

Wait, catted ones won't pass smog either? What's the point of adding a cat to it?

And the illegality is because they're too loud?

Aftermarket exhausts that change the pollution control systems in any way must be CARB certified for California registration. Other states have different regulations that may require a catalytic converter hence the catted versions that are 49 state legal.

I haven't researched it but I'd be surprised if there weren't at least one or two certified aftermarket options out there.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17985

I think about this often - would I prefer less torque but a more linear delivery (a-la s2000 or rx8).

I think the times I am thrashing the thing, or autoX, whatever - I'd appreciate a more top end heavy trade-off...

BUT, this is my DD, and coming from a MUCH torquier history of cars before owning this one, i'll keep what it has.