Oft/header=waste of money. Should just save up for FI.

Can't legally turbo/super charge for another 2 years. Also not sure how I feel about the long term effects doing that will have on my car as I intend to keep it as my daily many years

Yea I read up after the fact and saw those methods. I think the car has almost adjusted to the tune now.

Not sure about only 1-2hp, I definitely did notice an immediate difference in the cars performance from the stage 1 tune alone, so whilst it might not be major it's at least enough to notice a change. I don't get to enjoy the sound of the car as much as pre-tune because of how quickly it reaches my desired speed now

I think its more like 3whp at peak power and about 4-5whp in the torque dip making the dip smaller.

The difference between stage 1-2 is pretty substantial.
Assuming OFT = 500$ for 3whp 166$ / whp
Catless header varies between free (punch out cat) to 1700$ And range from adding an additional 10-20whp on top of stage 1.
even at the premium 1700$ for 20whp it’s still 85$ / whp with many other headers having an even better cost to benefit ratio although lower whp increase.

Ace > jdl 4-2-1 > ptuning 4-1 and jdl EL 4-1 are tied > 2017+ header w/ punched cat > pretty much any other header.

My strong suggestion is to buy it second hand. Because the power gains is not worth buying it new unless you just have money laying around. I bought my stuff new and was dissapointed on the money spent.

Was that with headers installed of OFT performance alone?

Last bit of reassurance before I go and pick up some Tomei UEL headers, overall if we're talking low-mid range is the stage 2 + headers tune recommended? Or should I just enjoy the OFT and then revert to stock and sell it

Not specifically the HP increase but stuff like, is the sound change worth it (with stock exhaust), is the acceleration/ torque increase significant enough over stage 1? etc.

As I said I can't do any major mods legally for 2 years so the header + tune would pretty much be the extent of my performance modifications to last me that time.


- Also noob question but am I correct in assuming that after a header install I can then just load the stage 2+ tune and overwrite the stage 1? Or do I have to revert to stock tune, install headers, then install stage 2+?

If you decide to get uel header, you just have to overwrite the exsisting stage 1. No need to revert back to stock first. Yeah i spent $700 on tomei uel and $400 on oft. For $1100 bucks, i honestly dont think its worth it. It did give it a rumble tho. I didnt drive the car too long before i got the oft. So i cant recall how super bad the torque dip was. Just wait around here, trust me. Someone will be eventually selling header for a good price.

I think everyone is different and something i dislike, you might like. I honestly think you should find someone who has a oft stage 2 plus uel header car and test drive it. If you were anywhere close to me. I would let you test my car out so youll know what youre getting.

Appreciate the insights. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with an 86.

I've only had my car for 2 months but i've driven it enough to notice the difference stage 1 made.
Just wish it was a little cheaper and i'd do it without second thought. Hesitant to go the 2nd hand route as it's harder to find sellers where I live and I don't like the risk of buying a faulty/ run down header

People still buying 86s to go fast in a straight line?

No, I just want the torque dip flattening and subaru rumble. Didn't buy this car wanting to go and race people

Then why would you care at all about a torque dip?

Because I don't like being in situations where I'm on a highway and I need to accelerate either to get into a lane or avoid something and my car takes a few seconds of holding the gas before it begins to accelerate??