Is aftermarket UEL headers with a cat a bad idea?

[enjoi23]

Originally Posted by IAmNotTheDriftKing

FT86speedfactory put borla UELs and EL headers both with no cat. The uels made more power everywhere. Here is a picture.

That's actually because Borla headers are crap lol. Pretty much every person I know who has them has had them replaced under warranty at least once because of bad quality.

EL headers are for more performance oriented builds, but you will lose most of your "boxer rumble". UEL headers will still give you great gains, but not as much as EL. Of course, it always varies, but the majority of UELs won't touch ELs. UELs will keep your "boxer rumble" though. And yes, UEL does sound better than EL.

AND the question about a catted UEL for you nobody else can answer for you. If you replace all piping with aftermarket (headers,overpipe,frontpipe,midpipe,catback), it will be loud. A couple cats here and there will lessen the overall sound, but you won't have as much power as a loud uncatted setup. It comes down to what YOU want.

[IAmNotTheDriftKing]

They seemed too good to be true. When most companies had their headers at the 1k mark, borla was at around 600 bucks. Either way, uels definitely eliminate the torque curve, not sure about the top end though. I have only taken my data from FT86speedfactory. I do like the sound better though, it sounds cool!

Also I can handle loud. I think. I had an Invidia N1 for a bit and I was completely fine with it, and that droned like a mofo.

[enjoi23]

Originally Posted by IAmNotTheDriftKing

They seemed too good to be true. When most companies had their headers at the 1k mark, borla was at around 600 bucks. Either way, uels definitely eliminate the torque curve, not sure about the top end though. I have only taken my data from FT86speedfactory. I do like the sound better though, it sounds cool!

Also I can handle loud. I think. I had an Invidia N1 for a bit and I was completely fine with it, and that droned like a mofo.

I'm running an MXP catback exhaust with Motiv Concepts HFC. It's great, gorgeous, and deep toned, but pretty quiet. I'm glad I got it this way though, because it will be very loud with my MXP EL headers coming in. UEL should be fine, because if you ever want to turbo it anyway, you'd need to get rid of the headers lol. I'd go fa20club headers if I was you. They might not look pretty,but their products are DEFINITELY quality. How often are you going to be looking at your headers anyway?

[boarder1995]

The headers by FA20Club are nice in that they stay in place if you go turbo from them. I'm considering this path myself. Just don't want SUPER loud as it's my wife's daily driver.
Have: Full header back Nameless Performance exhaust
Want: FA20Club UEL headers, then maybe FA20Club turbo

[Darryljr11]

Ive had my borla uel header on my vortech frs for over 3000 miles and have had no problems. Got it from Ft-86 speed factory and have had no issues. My header is by no means crap and all those who have had theirs installed by the shop that put mine on had no issues after install. With a lifetime warranty im confident with my choice.

[psk]

i would like the catted fa20 headers as well, but they sure are pricey.

[sweetfrs]

What about uels putting pressure on cylinder 4?

[FR-S Matt]

Originally Posted by sweetfrs

What about uels putting pressure on cylinder 4?

They don't. Subaru has been using UEL's for years on cars going 200,000+ miles. I had a concern before buying my UEL header but all it really does is adjust the exhaust pulse and sound. Not only does it sound badass, but my JDL UEL doesn't mess around when it comes to power either. Best of both worlds.

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by IAmNotTheDriftKing

FT86speedfactory put borla UELs and EL headers both with no cat. The uels made more power everywhere. Here is a picture.

This is more likely an example of how bad Borla's EL header is than proof that UELs are better than ELs.

[StormTrooper]

Both the hks el and t1r made more than either borla or JDL uel header.


It's design of the header. Runner length. Primary diameter. Merge collector. And so on, not necessarily el vs uel.


Like mentioned above I wouldn't worry about a cat in either location for longevity but rather if they use quality parts and have any kind of warranty.

So far it seems a header cat limits power somewhat but also keeps the noise down. I'd follow the latest version under development.

[jamesm]

It's personal preference. EL headers make more power in theory, certainly in the case of a turbo setup. Tests have shown the difference is minimal at the power levels were seeing now. It comes down to sound then, which frankly I think uel's sound like garbage, raspy and farty. Others love them. It's all about personal preference.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

They don't. Subaru has been using UEL's for years on cars going 200,000+ miles. I had a concern before buying my UEL header but all it really does is adjust the exhaust pulse and sound. Not only does it sound badass, but my JDL UEL doesn't mess around when it comes to power either. Best of both worlds.

While idk if its true or not either way, prob not the best argument since most subies with engine probs tend to have them on cylinder 4 .

[IAmNotTheDriftKing]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

This is more likely an example of how bad Borla's EL header is than proof that UELs are better than ELs.

This is probably true. But UELS aren't bad either. You might lose 3 or 4 horsepower uptop but you get dat noise. Plus from searching the forums, the tend to make a bit more power lower down than the EL offerings.

[IAmNotTheDriftKing]

Originally Posted by jamesm

It's personal preference. EL headers make more power in theory, certainly in the case of a turbo setup. Tests have shown the difference is minimal at the power levels were seeing now. It comes down to sound then, which frankly I think uel's sound like garbage, raspy and farty. Others love them. It's all about personal preference.

Heretic!!! Guards!! Take him to the ... Dungeon.