[Lakitu]

Installed the header last night, took about 3-4 hours, including a trip to borrow a 14mm deep socket from a friend and waiting for drizzle to stop. Didn't go 100% smoothly but I got it on there nice and snug with the Grimmspeed metal gaskets. Had to use the OEM gasket for the overpipe as the one that came with did not fit up to the stock overpipe. I'm guessing that's for a wider overpipe/frontpipe assembly. Thankfully I was proactive and lined them up before tightening them down, or I'd have had an exhaust leak for sure.

Took the OFT and flashed it to Stage 2+ (not sure what's the difference, maybe Stage 2 is EL and Stage 2+ is UEL?).

No CEL, but have to wait for the ECU to re-learn all over again... (sigh) first two inches of throttle is completely dead, no response at all, and it throws me off.

The sound is very pleasant with my resonated catback, definitely got a "angry growling dog" sound, or I guess we call it "subie rumble". But man, it is LOUD. Downshifting has me feeling uneasy a little bit as someone could get the wrong idea and think I'm revving at them. Finding myself paying more attention to throttle control, trying to shift between 2k and 2.5k rpms for minimum sound lmao. Definitely going for JDL Ultra Quiet / Dual Resonated frontpipe. I like the setup, but there's still more to do!


Two problems that I discovered:

1. The header didn't come with a heat shield wrap for the oil pan, I'm not sure what its called but I've seen a couple videos where people did get one with their header to keep the heat from the exhaust from overheating up the oil pan. Probably need to get one.

2. I noticed that some time after I installed the Perrin inlet hose, on the filter box, the opening where the inlet hose is connected has a dent in it about the size of an index finger. If I have to replace this entire unit I may as well just go cold air intake. Need to figure out a plan for this before anything bad happens....