Best order for Exhaust mods (NA)

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by Jonsey

Please see quote in my signature and this link http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...51&postcount=1. Perhaps you consider the investment of a catted header and install costs (if not done yourself) worth 5hp, but that is subjective and in no way invalidates my statement: " Anything else you do will have only marginal power gains and you should really ask yourself if it is worth the cost."

Well... I may be wrong, but it seems to me you're generalizing that "all EL catted headers net a 5hp gain", which is pretty inaccurate. Given that there are all kinds of header designs, and often devil is in the details with how they perform (and that includes the tuner), seems a bit broad of a statement, don't ya think? Also saying it "adds 5hp" doesn't say a thing about what it does to the torque curve.

Anywho - I happen to run a P&L 4-1 long tube EL catted header with a generic EL stage 2 OFT tune. Exactly what I recommended to the OP. I haven't seen another header design like it for our cars. Bolted it on, and it made a *significant* difference in how quick the car is - overall power to weight feels about like my old 97 E36 M3 now, believe it or not. If you call that "5hp" then ok, I like the extra "5hp" I have and it was definitely worth the money. $500 for the header, a few bucks for new gaskets, installed myself - it's not a difficult job at all.

BTW, take a look at the curves here:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28383

Cheers,
Brad

[j_davis116]

Originally Posted by Jonsey

Please see quote in my signature and this link http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...51&postcount=1. Perhaps you consider the investment of a catted header and install costs (if not done yourself) worth 5hp, but that is subjective and in no way invalidates my statement: " Anything else you do will have only marginal power gains and you should really ask yourself if it is worth the cost."

Thats why the header is a maybe in my book. From what I've heard in regards to NA its not at all that restrictive so ill probably just stick with a catback and a new FP/OP setup. The N1 burnt tips is $580 the best I can find but the FP/OP is only right at $200. I really like the DTS but I'm not feeling like spending that much on exhaust for marginal gains, plus the N1 and the DTS are both gonna be equally as loud just different tones from hearing them IRL...

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by j_davis116

Alright, so I'm saving up to start modding my exhaust. I don't plan on going boosted, but I do plan on full bolt ons. My question would be, what is the best order for doing exhaust? I have A LOT of mechanical experience but not too much on the FA20. I already have a Borla S-type axle back system but I'm planning on moving to the Invidia N1 with a CNT catted downpipe/ovepipe (emissions reasons) and a catted EL header (probably AFE). I know all together its going to be loud as mess and give some gains combined with the CAI I plan on doing (possibly a tune as well) but I don't know which order would be best. Any advice would help. Thanks!

What are you looking for in your setup? Maximum power with lower noise output? Excellent daily or mostly just track setup?

[j_davis116]

Originally Posted by CSG David

What are you looking for in your setup? Maximum power with lower noise output? Excellent daily or mostly just track setup?

I'm a car guy, so naturally I wanna hear the kitty purr. However, I like a GOOD noise not just a loud, brash, earsplitting racket that in no way sounds good. I like the sound of the DTS and N1 because, yes it's loud ,but its also deeper than stock so it sounds more like a true sports car and not a boy-racer/angry bee/ fart cannon Honda. The main thing I see on the OP/FP is a rumble over a rasp, but (from what I understand) the OP doesn't really help all that much other than weight reduction while the FP helps with resonance. And in terms of use, I might track it at some events with one of my car groups, but mostly its a DD that I can take on spirited and mountain drives (I live in the North Ga mountains so there's a good bit to take) and that will put a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. My current setup is just sad. I hear more intake noise than exhaust whether I'm inside or outside the car. That's what I'm trying to fix honestly.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by j_davis116

I'm a car guy, so naturally I wanna hear the kitty purr. However, I like a GOOD noise not just a loud, brash, earsplitting racket that in no way sounds good. I like the sound of the DTS and N1 because, yes it's loud ,but its also deeper than stock so it sounds more like a true sports car and not a boy-racer/angry bee/ fart cannon Honda. The main thing I see on the OP/FP is a rumble over a rasp, but (from what I understand) the OP doesn't really help all that much other than weight reduction while the FP helps with resonance. And in terms of use, I might track it at some events with one of my car groups, but mostly its a DD that I can take on spirited and mountain drives (I live in the North Ga mountains so there's a good bit to take) and that will put a smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel. My current setup is just sad. I hear more intake noise than exhaust whether I'm inside or outside the car. That's what I'm trying to fix honestly.

Adding an aftermarket header (catted or catless) will make a difference in sound output. The normal sound quality you're used to with the catback exhaust will change quite drastically on those listed catback setups.

[j_davis116]

Originally Posted by CSG David

Adding an aftermarket header (catted or catless) will make a difference in sound output. The normal sound quality you're used to with the catback exhaust will change quite drastically on those listed catback setups.

I mean I have True Dual Flowmaster Super44's from the manifold back (with cats) on my 04 Ram SLT V8 so I'm no stranger to loud exhaust and differed sound quality. I like loud but I also like deep notes not necessarily raspy like you get without cats or resonators.

[ZOMBRZ]

I have a greddy ego 3 with an invidia catted front pipe that was a low pitched loud and not raspy. I'm adding JDL UEL catted headers and an overpipe and I'm not sure how that's gonna sound. If you want a low deep exhaust node, I'd go a similar route.

[j_davis116]

Originally Posted by ZOMBRZ

I have a greddy ego 3 with an invidia catted front pipe that was a low pitched loud and not raspy. I'm adding JDL UEL catted headers and an overpipe and I'm not sure how that's gonna sound. If you want a low deep exhaust node, I'd go a similar route.

How much was the setup?

[Brayden_23]

Originally Posted by ZOMBRZ

I have a greddy ego 3 with an invidia catted front pipe that was a low pitched loud and not raspy. I'm adding JDL UEL catted headers and an overpipe and I'm not sure how that's gonna sound. If you want a low deep exhaust node, I'd go a similar route.

The catted JDL headers barely added any more noise for me. Paired with Perrin OP and Perrin 2.5" resonated catback

[ZOMBRZ]

Originally Posted by j_davis116

How much was the setup?

The catback was 800 and the front pipe was about 450. All this was new and from the vendors here so I'm sure you can find something used for cheaper if that's the route you wanted to go.

[ZOMBRZ]

Originally Posted by Brayden_23

The catted JDL headers barely added any more noise for me. Paired with Perrin OP and Perrin 2.5" resonated catback

Hmm interesting. Did you still have the stock front pipe? I'm wondering if it's because the Perrin resonated catback is a little more subtle and conservative than the evo 3.

[Brayden_23]

Originally Posted by ZOMBRZ

Hmm interesting. Did you still have the stock front pipe? I'm wondering if it's because the Perrin resonated catback is a little more subtle and conservative than the evo 3.

Yup still running the stock front pipe. I heard changing that will really make the car louder.

[ZOMBRZ]

Originally Posted by Brayden_23

Yup still running the stock front pipe. I heard changing that will really make the car louder.

Ah okay makes sense. I put on the JDL UEL catted headers and an overpipe and it definitely changed the sound of the car. It finally has a Subaru sound and not a standard 4 banger exhaust sound. The headers are by far the best exhaust mod for the car. It purrs at idle and it's a little more subtle/quiet like you said. Low RPMs that rumble is very distinct. Higher RPMs it's not as noticeable.

[TofuJoe]

JDL catted UEL added a subtle rumble, but is barely louder and actually cut the bass frequencies of my catback slightly (from inside the car). Setup = Stock front pipe and Perrin 2.5" resonated catback. Pretty mellow sound but quite nice. Got a custom e-tune from Delicious and they seemed a little bit surprised that the catted header didn't make more power.