Brand name UEL vs. eBAY UEL - really worth the extra $$$?
 

Hey guys,

New owner here of a '13 6MT Firestorm FR-S out of Milton. Been a week and loving the handling, and friendly attention. However each time I accelerate I'm reminded of "the torque dip"... so.. here come the mods! I'm itching for a UEL header and will follow it with an OFT.


However regarding the header, I'm wondering.. Is there really a justification in buying a $800 brand name header vs. $300 eBay header...


Any experiences? I was hoping to get one within $500
much appreciate your guidance and suggestions!

I went looking for something cheap on purpose. I found the $350 CNT UEL. Bought, wrapped and installed it. The fit was good, and even though the collector merge looks like crud the performance is on par with most other UELs. Still, I don't expect it to last as long as a higher quality header. A month after I bought mine, Gruppe-S dropped their header for $100 more ($450). It seems nice enough. I probably would have bought that instead.

From there, there are a ton of headers in the $600-$800 range (Tomei, AFE Power, OFH, FT86SF, MXP, and more). After that the jump is to about $1100 new (JDL, PTuning) and then the Jesus header (Ace) for $1500. The biggest surprise to me was the AFE Power EL header that @danthedirt dyno'd at the Church dyno day on e85 with a Tomei 60s at 217 WHP on a hot and humid day (OFT tuned). It still had a torque dip but dayam, on the top end that's right with the Jesus and P-Tuning header for quite a bit less.

Keep in mind that you're going to need a tune to get the most out of your header. So if I had to choose for a DD with a lil track time, I'd go with a lesser expensive header ($450-$800) and an OFT (another $500) if you're staying NA over a $1000+ header without a tune. Even though the most expensive headers will probably last you longer than the lesser expensive ones, I haven't heard of enough durability problems with $450 - $800 headers to not recommend them.

Do you want to experience the Jesus header combined with FI? :bellyroll:

Yes, hook me up!

$500 CANADIAN can't buy you much except perhaps the CNT UEL.

There's also that Kijiji header and the 1320 Performance header in this price range.

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How long do you plan to keep the car (more importantly, the header)? Is the car winter driven?

I wouldn't cheap out on an ebay special header because it's probably a rip off of someone else's work, and also made from cheap materials.

A well designed and well made header is worth the money IMO.

I would just buy the real thing that is good quality. Honestly, just save up.

I have had my car for 1 year now and have a Apexi Drop in Filter & Greddy SP Elite exhaust.

Sure, i want the the and header TODAY...but I'm saving up. Tune next year, and the year after getting a header.

Just have patience, your not walking. Buy a good quality part and know you will have something that will last.

As they say, cheap usually is more expensive in the long run.

I was fortunate enough to pick up a good quality header used (Revworks). The platform has been around long enough that you will find these things resold. Only downside is the low CD$ will drive prices up, including resale.

Good question. Keeping the car 2 years min. If I decide to keep it, I'd eventually do FI..probanly in 5 years

how would a cheaper header negatively affect life of the motor?

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I don't see it affecting the motor...it's more that the header itself would have a higher probability of getting cracks in the future.

A messed up tune would wreck your motor in the long run.

I think you just don't want a cheaply made header to fall apart in terms of quality of the welds and the quality and thickness of the stainless steel being used, etc.

That can be arranged...

Thanks guys this was awesome info

Ordered the OFT, gonna wait a few days and read reviews before deciding on which header.. Maybe check out a local meet

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PM'd