Thinking of getting some of these mods
 

First I'm thinking of purchasing the valenti tailights. Wondering if switching to these fix the condensation problem? Any opinions on these? Next one is getting UEL, was wondering which brand? Been reading a lot and a lot of pple seem to go back and forth. Was thinking of getting borla since it's affordable. Wondering if I would regret this?? Would there be a significant change in sound or do I have to do the exhaust as well? I really want the boxer rumble noise lol.Also some people say I won't get a code if I do the o2 fix and some say I will unless I get a tune. I have never done any type of tuning so what kind of management would I need? Thanks in advance

My Valenti's do not have condensation issues.

Which type do you have? I'm thinking of getting the red with white.

I have the Smoked Black Valantis, and I love them so much. I actually just got rear ended and now need new ones, but insurance is covering all of it.

You will need a tune for your car no matter which headers you get without a cat. If you get one with a cat you could probably get away with not getting a tune but I wouldn't risk it long term. Take it easy and slow until you get the tune. I have the JDL UEL headers. They are the best performing UEL and also sound the most rumbly if that's a word. They cost a little more but their craftsmanship is the highest and worth the extra cost. I'd also recommend having the headers ceramic coated because they get super hot and won't have a heat shield like the stock ones. If you plan on going forced induction later the only current kit that works with headers is the Innovate kit. All the other ones require specific headers (other centrifugal superchargers), or their own header (turbo applications). I'd only get headers if you want the rumble and about 15-20hp more after the tune. Bob at Drift Office should be your destination for the tune. Borla has more quality issues (way more than for me to consider buying them) as does Revworks. I was the only guy I know of to get over 200hp naturally aspirated with any UEL, which was a little misleading since the air was super dense.

Basically you're choosing between eating at McDonald's or eating at a restaurant with the Borla and JDL.

If you're in the Portland area you are welcome to visit me and I'll show you my JDL UEL and car or wait until the Perrin meet next month and you'll see me there. Any more questions feel free to ask.

Dam. Well the jdl UEL is almost twice as borla lol but I'm not trying to buy soemthing like borla which I would have to replace in the long run from what your telling me. Not planing on going aspirated right now or anytime in the future. Have you also done the clutch adjustment mod? I would like to see your car in person but I live in Tacoma Washington

You probably won't need to do much with your exhaust after installing a header. Most people actually have the issue that their aftermarket header makes their car too loud when paired with an aftermarket catback. It's good to get a tune after installing your header as it'll make your car produce the most amount of power from its new part.

Do I need some sort of management system to tune for just headers?? I have never tuned on any of my previous cars so this is especially new to me
Also would like to do the clutch adjustment soon. I would like some help on that since I have read about it and I don't want to run into breaking anything or having clutch engaged at all time.

For tuning go to @Drift-Office

Hyun I'm doing my first Oil Change tomorrow. Decided I'll do the clutch adjustment as well. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm in the Oly area all the time.

Alright thanks

Yes I've done the clutch adjustment mod as well. Feel free to browse my build thread (link in signature). I've done a ton of stuff.

All you need to do is go to Drift Office near you, then will flash your ECU on your car for you and program it with optimized software. You don't need to do anything aside from that .

Thank you for the tune info!!

A lot of people complain about rattling and raspy exhaust tone from Borla coupled with certain exhausts. Do more research before you buy one. You might just want to save a little longer and get a quality header.

Well my mind is mostly set on the jdl. Anyone in Tacoma area have a UEL installed?? First I would like to hear one in person and see if there's a significant change because if not than I was thinking of getting exhaust set up.

RE the Clutch Adjustment. Took me more time to find a second 14mm wrench (Two stores) than it did the make the adjustment. Makes a HUGE difference. SO much so it should be a factory recall to the dealer to have it done. Its no-brainer easy. grab a light, three wrenches and get it done.

I would wait on the valentis. I love the way mine look, but twice now on two different lights I've had 3-5 LEDs ina row go dead, telling me it's a circuitry problem and not LED burnout. Modbargains replaced the first one, I have to contact them about the recent 2nd one. But twice in under a year is not good reliability.

If your LEDs burnout thats a serious problem because they dont have a filament like normal bulbs. LEDs will typically just dim a bit. or completely break from damage done to them like a car wreck.

Dam I really like the white valentis. I guess my first mod is gonna be the headers, tune and clutch adjustment. Still little iffy on doing that lol

If you plan on going turbo, then skip headers. But if your going supercharger then go for it

Not planning on turbo anytime in the future.

I would choose a different set of tails, for safety sake. Here's why.
The Valentis are not DOT or road legal in the US as far as I know. If the letters DOT are not stamped into them somewhere, they are probably not legal. Valentis do not have proper reflectors in them, a mandatory safety item required in all vehicles. The smoked black ones are even worse. I have heard of insurance companies denying claims from clients who have altered OEM safety equipment such as blackening out their tails and then getting rear ended, as you have been. You must drive a safe car on the road and not endanger those behind you. The insurance inspectors are trained to look at safety equipment, as well as damage.
Please be careful. I hope your car is mended soon.

Anyone near Tacoma that has UEL installed so I can hear it in person before I purchase mine

I have a borla for a while and never had a problem with mine. It never leaked or cracked and I have mine wrapped.

I have a UEL on mine and your more than free to check it out.

Yours is a little more than a UEL

@Pete156 still has that rumble tho ;)

I hear you, and as soon as the insurance stuff started, I thought about that. Luckily, it was broad daylight and I wasn't even on the brakes when I got hit.

Plus, the insurance company is fixing my car without even looking at it. Its weird.

Yeah, it's definitely not individual LEDs. When a string of 3 or 5 goes dead, that's probably a resistor or something.

Valentis do have proper reflectors in them. You're probably right about the smoked ones, but the reflection through those is still pretty good at night, I've checked. You can also substitute reflectors on your car when lacking them in your lights, I've seen people just put some standard reflectors below their bumper.

Think I made my decision on what type of header. Jdl, I just didn't expect the tune to be so much. Ecutek 300 and tune 450

You do your clutch yet?

Not yet. Thinking of doing it sometime this weekend

Also friendly advice don't get headers if you are serious about FI waste of money since if you go turbo you will have to get rid of it since they are not compatible.

I wasn't talking bad about the price or anything I just didn't realize it would cost that much since it's my first time tuning. I would love to go FI but it just cost too much

Start small first gradually making small changes. also how many miles do you have on your car currently?

Just hit over a thousand.