What catted header in 2021?

[bucketfoot]

I mostly see older posts on people looking for headers for their 86/BRZ.

Since the various brands/models have been out for awhile, are there any in particular that I should strongly consider or any that I should stay away from?

I don't have a strong preference for UEL/EL and I know that catted will not address the torque dip as well as non-catted. I've heard mostly good things about JDL, so I would say that I would go up to the price of a thermal coated catted JDL or basically $1400. Less money of course is always better if the end products are similar. So what are some good alternatives to the JDL that people have been happy with?

I've had one recommendation for an aFe and I came close to jumping on a used FT86 SpeedFactory. With the 1st gen dead, it does look like the new options may be drying up or would be built to order (which I am fine with).

I already have my OFT that will be used to tune whatever I end up selecting.

Thanks!

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I mostly see older posts on people looking for headers for their 86/BRZ.

Since the various brands/models have been out for awhile, are there any in particular that I should strongly consider or any that I should stay away from?

I don't have a strong preference for UEL/EL and I know that catted will not address the torque dip as well as non-catted. I've heard mostly good things about JDL, so I would say that I would go up to the price of a thermal coated catted JDL or basically $1400. Less money of course is always better if the end products are similar. So what are some good alternatives to the JDL that people have been happy with?

I've had one recommendation for an aFe and I came close to jumping on a used FT86 SpeedFactory. With the 1st gen dead, it does look like the new options may be drying up or would be built to order (which I am fine with).

I already have my OFT that will be used to tune whatever I end up selecting.

Thanks!

JLD hands down is one of the best options. There's also ACE, Borla, Tomei, FT86Speed. Most "hot parts" are made to order anyways, so no matter what you'll have to wait a bit for your headers to be shipped to you. I don't believe that the 1st gen is "dead", it will be a while until current gen owners either make the switch or new owners out-do the current owners. So it will it take some years before manufacturers stop making parts.

As far as catted/Non-catted headers address the torque dip, there isn't that much difference on the results. Is a marginal gain between the two. The main difference is top end HP, which is 4-6 HP.

[bucketfoot]

From what I can see there are several UEL catted options, but unless you include the Fujitsubo it looks like the aFe may be the only catted EL option.

Are there any others that people are aware of that I am missing?

I am mildly concerned about comments on the UEL droning on the highway and being an old fart, I'd say I lean towards not having the "boxer" sound.

[jflogerzi]

I gotta say it's not worth it to switch imo... Get yourself a new 2017+ OEM header and call it good if you want to stay catted. Do you have access to e85?

Sent from my GM1915 using Tapatalk

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

From what I can see there are several UEL catted options, but unless you include the Fujitsubo it looks like the aFe may be the only catted EL option.

Are there any others that people are aware of that I am missing?

I am mildly concerned about comments on the UEL droning on the highway and being an old fart, I'd say I lean towards not having the "boxer" sound.

HKS makes a catted EL (GT SPEC), JDL does too.



Both headers will drone on highway if they are uncatted and the rest of your exhaust components are uncatted (Front Pipe) plus an obnoxious catback (Invidia N1).

You can still go the uncatted route, it will just be a process to return to stock before emissions, depending on your state, or who you know.

If you are worrying about drone, make sure that your Front Pipe is at least resonated, or double resonated, and that your exhaust hangers on the catback section (5) are either JDM, or any other material that will be thicker than OEM quality.

[ZDan]

2017+ factory catted header would be my choice...

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by ZDan

2017+ factory catted header would be my choice...

OK, I've seen this referenced to twice now. Is this something different that what comes on the car given that mine is a 2020?

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

OK, I've seen this referenced to twice now. Is this something different that what comes on the car given that mine is a 2020?

I don't think so. By '17+ I meant '17-'21.

[bucketfoot]

I'm cornfused now

I would read this to mean the OEM exhaust manifold on a 2017 to 2020 (since there was not a 2021 model). Being that my car falls in that window, would it not already have this?

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I'm cornfused now

I would read this to mean the OEM exhaust manifold on a 2017 to 2020 (since there was not a 2021 model). Being that my car falls in that window, would it not already have this?

Yup

[mav1178]

Apex'i

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103338

[bucketfoot]

It's kind of sounding like I really should just go catless instead.

On the plus side I have 6 years before I have to worry about any emissions screening at all and 8 years before I have to worry about a sniff test.

Ultimately I'm sure I can live with any extra droning that may result.

The two I seem to hear the most about are the Ace 350 and the JDL 4-2-1. I like the price of the JDL better, so that would seem to be the way to go. I'll just have to see if I can find someplace that will install a non-catted header as my 60 year old body doesn't like the idea of laying under the car for two hours doing the install

[blsfrs]

I have a catted afe but would not buy it again. The middle bolt is almost impossible to get to with a deep socket to loosen or tighten. The "cat" guts are now loose in the shell. I may eventually make it catless.

[NLSP]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

It's kind of sounding like I really should just go catless instead...

Haven't tried it myself, but just to give you another option to consider, I've read a lot of people being happy with punching/chiseling the cat out of their stock header, and along with a tune, nets similar gains to an aftermarket header. Also has the benefit of keeping the stock heat shields and the heavy construction seems to dampen any noise increase better than aftermarket pieces. And the benefit of costing $0

I recall one member testing a decatted stock header and a Tomei UEL back to back. He ended up selling the Tomei due to the increase in noise with no noticeable gains.