EL vs UEL Headers

[Strat_FRS]

Originally Posted by Simmons

I installed a JDL UEL today.

Sounds great!

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by Simmons

Added to my post.

Is that second clip with or without the digital "audio enhancement"? Sounds great.

Any advantages/disadvantages to running UELs in performance, fuel consumption, reliability? I presume it voids engine warranty? Is a tune required? Cost of hardware and installation? TIA.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Is that second clip with or without the digital "audio enhancement"? Sounds great.

Any advantages/disadvantages to running UELs in performance, fuel consumption, reliability? I presume it voids engine warranty? Is a tune required? Cost of hardware and installation? TIA.

In very general, UEL has a rumble noise, like a Subaru, better low end torque. EL sounds more like a Honda, better high end power. The jdl 421 and ace are different and do not necessarily follow those generalities. Tune can matter of course.

MPG is more subjective on how you drive.

Both will be reliable but that is also subjective.

Both need a tune.

[Sport-Tech]

Sounds like the big downside is loss of engine warranty.

[PulsarBeeerz]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Sounds like the big downside is loss of engine warranty.

Its not that cut and dry. It depends if an engine related failure can be attributed to the modification. Its worth a google..

[Midnightsky]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

In very general, UEL has a rumble noise, like a Subaru, better low end torque. EL sounds more like a Honda, better high end power. The jdl 421 and ace are different and do not necessarily follow those generalities. Tune can matter of course.

MPG is more subjective on how you drive.

Both will be reliable but that is also subjective.

Both need a tune.

Both need a tune to have proper gains yes, but is it really necessary? IMHO the UEL for most people is more about sound than power gains, because if you wanted power gains the EL is the better route to go from what I understand. Ideally when I get my BRZ I want the UEL header installed right away but if that's going to cause issues without getting it tuned then I may have to put that off for awhile.

[Simmons]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Is that second clip with or without the digital "audio enhancement"? Sounds great.

Any advantages/disadvantages to running UELs in performance, fuel consumption, reliability? I presume it voids engine warranty? Is a tune required? Cost of hardware and installation? TIA.

Noise generator is still hooked up

[RippedManiac]

This again LOL

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by Midnightsky

Both need a tune to have proper gains yes, but is it really necessary? IMHO the UEL for most people is more about sound than power gains, because if you wanted power gains the EL is the better route to go from what I understand. Ideally when I get my BRZ I want the UEL header installed right away but if that's going to cause issues without getting it tuned then I may have to put that off for awhile.

Getting a tune should always be a priority. If you want just sound do a cat back or axle back. Both produce power by eliminating cats.

[Midnightsky]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

Getting a tune should always be a priority. If you want just sound do a cat back or axle back. Both produce power by eliminating cats.

UEL header is a very unique sound that you will never get from a cat-back or axle-back. It's a major draw for me, I love the sound, but you are not wrong, a tune should always be a priority. Especially when you are at 3000 foot altitude like I am. You sea level ppl don't know how good you have it lol.

[Strat_FRS]

The UEL smooths out the torque dip from the driveability perspective. The EL has higher peaks and lower troughs - yes both could benefit from a tune.