This is why you need an aftermarket header for tracking with an FI car
 

I think I have found the weak spot of the OEM headers :lol:
when I cracked my first OEM header at the track day last year it made me think that the cats might be too restrictive or simply got a defective oem piece, ..so I bought a couple of used OEM manifolds just in case, :)

picture from last year

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dW...g=w480-h270-no

and this year I destroyed the second manifold at the same exact spot, I put the third OEM header and am waiting for the HKS EL header from the coating place
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WK...=w1247-h935-no


see the second header I destroyed and the third one above so you can definitely tell the coloration
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bp...Q=w702-h935-no

It's pretty obvious that OEM is a cost-effective, low-quality mild steel manifold and the weld on that spot cannot take the excessive heat for an extended period of time (ahem, tracked when boosted
) both incidents happened when the ambient temps were around 95F (mid July), so for those who want to keep the OEM manifold with their FI FRS/BRZ and planning to go to track days during hot summer days, I'd say think twice :)


I recently received my HKS EL header which is currently being 2000F ceramic coated and will be wrapped, it will be mated to the Berk catted front pipe which I also purchased at the same time when I ordered the HKS..

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x2...=w1247-h935-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Vt...=w1247-h935-no

I've never owned anything from Berk but overall it looks fine, I'll see how the fitment will be
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JJ...A=w702-h935-no

also these are not metal cats, oh well ..cannot complain, I used to get expensive HFCs in the past and not all of them had metal cats in them..
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pk...=w1247-h935-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ga...A=w637-h849-no

Thanks for the pictures.

sure :thumbsup:

I forgot to mention though, the reasons I tried to avoid the aftermarket headers at the beginning are including but not limited to :

• no real power advantage when boosted except maybe 5-10 whp (as opposed to an NA car where you can see higher gains since it's the biggest bottleneck)
• OEM HEAT SHIELD
• OEM fitment, EL header design and quality (well at this point I am not sure about the second one, haha)
• cost (duh) interestingly this year I was able to get the HKS EL header for $700 (nearly $500 cheaper than last year) ..I still think $700 is really expensive considering the size of the headers

Damn, and here I thought I could unload another OEM manifold on you.... ;-)

Great pics and info. Another con to aftermarket headers (after living with them for a while...) is noise. Dee-am. Loud, but fun (sometimes). I have JDL UELs.

Always appreciate your posts, Glam.

:) glad that I can help

I agree with OEM is better. I just switch all my exhaust(Catless Borla UEL, Motiv OP, and Perrin 2.5inch Resonated CB) back to stock. WoW what a difference. I don't think I can't go back to aftermarket. I love the quiet smooth OEM sound.

I have to mention though, OEM is better designed, well... it's OEM ...but I cannot say the same for the material quality, would you still use the OEM unit for track? after seeing this? I know I wouldn't :)

of course, not so many people track their boosted cars on a very hot day, it might be just fine for street use or maybe some mild track use though..

I am a canyon and mild track user. I also removed my oil cooler so I don't think I will be using the car but for fun mild track days as its also my daily.

what type of oil cooler was it? did it leak?

Do you ever log your sustained EGTs at the track? Might be worth it instead of going through a few headers.

of course :), I took logs on both road and track,contacted with my tuner and got a new map to make sure..

I think EGTs were just high enough to crack the OEM header but still within the normal range for a proper SS header.. in both times, they failed when the temps were the highest in season (typically around 95F in our local PNW tracks), starts failing on the second session, at the exact same spot, with the exact same symptoms ..it's almost a controlled environment for a stress test :)

No leaks just returning mostly to stock. Plus it was overkill for DD. Oil temps at night or cold days were way to low IMO. It the 170-180's F

Wow that's pretty telling about oem headers - though this usage is waay out of their design envelope. I couldn't tell from reading your post on my phone- did you try gutting the primary cat?


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Nope, I'll keep the aftermarket header. I only drive my FR-S a couple times a week, so the noise is a "novelty" and I guess adds to the overall experience. Not sure if it is how small the 86 is or how little sound insulation or both, but my old 500HP Spec.B was a lot quieter.

DJ