Best EL catless header?
 

Hi guys,

I tried to search but was not able to find any concrete result. I am looking to get a catless EL header.

I already have hi flow cat and resonated front pipe and resonated exhaust, so I think noise would not be too much of a concern.

I am in a dilemma between Nameless, JDL, PTUNING and TOMEI.

I was initially set on the Nameless header before they released it because of all the hype and stuff, but after they released it, it seem like it did not outperform other header by a lot.

I also hear people say that PTUNING is the best one on the market, but I know JDL also has superb quality, so I am really lost.

I am looking for the absolute best quality, cleanest sounding and best performing header (with a tune, of course). Price is not such a big of a concern.

Can anyone give me any advice?

Thanks!

Also I currently have drop in filter, nameless OP/DP with hi-flow cat and resonator and perrin resonated exhaust. I may or may not get an intake, my final goal is to have a clean sounding car that will touch 200 whp on the dyno (with ecutek)..

The Ptuning is very good quality.
Get a tune with it for sure though.

There is no best header. There are compromises with each header. You need to look at what is most important to you: a broader power band, peak power, peak torque, price, looks, or sound. There is no one size fits all best header.

Yea, I totally understand this and that's why I am in this huge dilemma right now. The car will be a daily driver, I already have the catted and resonated nameless OP/DP and perrin resonated exhaust. I just want to finish the overall package with a quality header and tune and call it a day...

I would love to touch the 200whp after the tune, but I also want a quality header that will last as long or out last the car, and also sounds civilized enough for a DD...

When I had to make a similar decision, after a lot of research I purchased the PTUNING header because of its proven quality and output. The JDL header looks excellent, but I wasn't convinced that they spent as much time optimizing exhaust cam timing during its development, and the quality didn't seem to be the match of the PTUNING header (although it looks like a close second). The Tomei seems like well made piece at a very affordable price (although their unequal length header looks much cooler than their equal length header).

Good luck with your purchase and let us know what you decide on.

How you drive the car will play a big role in the header you choose.
If you aren't in the upper RPMs often, you may not like the Ptuning since there is still a small "dip". If you track or don't mind driving in the upper RPMs, the Ptuning is a great choice.
The only other header I can compare it to is an UEL header with OFT tune.
It got rid of the dip but the Ptuning wins in every other category IMO.

I'd say Tomei or JDL

Tomei is nice but not really in the same legue as the other two options mentioned and from all reports doesn't pick up as much power from a tune. Between the JDL and the Ptuning the biggest difference seems to be the torque curve. the JDL usually has a bump where the dip normally is the lifts up again towards redline. The Ptuning has quite a flat curve from early on with a small dip in it.

Another header to look at is the Aceheader 4-2-1. it looks well made and has a nice torque curve.

I'd like to see these reports, I'm making 193whp w/Tomei on 93.

When I was shopping for a new exhaust manifold, it came down to PTuning and Tomei. Most of the headers are more or less identical (exception for the few 4-1 headers). A friend of mine for example has JDL, I'm making essentially the exact same power (he is 1 hp less than me actually). Tuned by the same person, on the same dyno. Weather conditions nearly identical.

PTuning with a full exhaust will make the most power. Fantastic piece of work. I would have gone PTuning if budget wasn't a factor.

Get PTuning header, and check out their thread. Pretty consistent 199whp - 203whp dyno numbers on 93. Availability can be an issue on their headers, they arnt ordered too often and they sell pretty fast.

Making a couple whp more up top means nothing if you're giving up more down in the midrange across a wider rpm range.

Look at the shape of the powerband on the headers, not peak numbers. The nameless is going to make much better power in the midrange due to it being a 4-2-1 compared to the good 4-1 headers out there, but will give up a couple hp up top.

Unless you're drag racing, you're probably going to be happier with the meatier midrange than the extra couple hp at peak.

I got my catless EL header from Top Speed. Less than 400 bucks and very good quality.
I also have the carless Perrin resonated exhaust. Love the sound.
Here's the header
http://topspeedauto.com/scion-fr-s-f...ght-flex-pipe/

You can hear my car here with the top speed header. I'm #24
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU8oW...ature=youtu.be

Can I see the dyno graphs?

To OP: The Tomei kit will probably be the most complete kit even if the performance gains are no as great as the others. You get gaskets, antiseize and heat shielding barrier to stick on your oil pan. You'd be lucky to even get gaskets with any other brand.

Sorry, gotta plug.

ACE 4-2-1 (even comes with gaskets and decals).

Sounds awesome and has pretty good welds:)
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80609

Nameless and JDL are also very good options