Opinions please on header

[ft86me]

Well how about koyorad and p and l header since my koyo pushed the fans back some. Any opinions?

[ft86me]

Originally Posted by Batman

Since I am planning on buying UEL headers and over pipe and test pipe etc not too far in the future, I decided to try something a little unconventional, and all the keep-all-the-stock-parts-stock-and-in-storage guys will hate this, but my friend and i dropped the stock manifold and front pipe, and completely cleared both cats out. We then bolted everything back on. I am currently waiting on another friend to have time to fit my custom made catback.. er.. frontpipe back exhaust on it, so i just have a straight pipe ending right by the rear diff.

The results are SUPER loud, which i absolutely love, but am afraid a noise-ordinance ticket is around the corner. Its pretty easy to keep it quiet enough not to disturb, until you need some power then it turns heads for miles (exaggeration, of course) although my dad can hear me coming up to his neighborhood from quite a ways off.

Definitely has a fair amount of raspy-ness (which I actually like), and when I let off the gas while in gear (i think most call this drone? i'm not sure.) The resonating noise is unpleasant at best, and echoes throughout the entire car.

I will be putting a not-very-restricting muffler on, included in the custom exhaust, and am hoping it tones down the exhaust just enough to cure my paranoia, but leaves it angry enough to please my ears.

I write all this to kind of show you what the "all hell breaks loose straight pipe" might give you in terms of sound. Its super loud, but anytime you get rid of the cats, which in my mind are sound stoppers (and fire stoppers) you will be very noticeably louder. I don't know the goals for your car, I definitely advise figuring out if power or sound or appearance etc is the determining factor. For me, for the moment anyways, I am just kind of experimenting with the extremes of the exhaust and finding that noise I like, until I decide on a forced induction kit.

Also being in CA, you may worry about CARB, I know next to nothing about CARB except that it apparently sucks! I definitely feel like I have more pull on the freeway onramp, but have no numbers other than butt dyno to prove that. Another thing to remember when going catless, is the to some horrible, but to me beautiful smell! haha. Definitely feels racecar every time I get a whiff.

To sum it up, if you like loud "racecar" noise, in my opinion catless is the best way. Many have told me it sounds like a rally car, some have said a muscle car (i'm assuming its been a while since they have heard a real muscle car) and some have told me its just too loud. If anyone here wants me to do it, I will try and film a decent video showing the noise levels on startup and driving etc. I just haven't had time to do it! I hope this helps your decision, if not, just ignore me and go about your research!

Thanks man! Very good stuff! Video please!!!!

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by ft86me

Well how about koyorad and p and l header since my koyo pushed the fans back some. Any opinions?

in another thread I read that the radiator is the same distance as the stock radiator. I'm not sure how far back the fans are. I could take a measurement between the stock fan in the closest point of the P&L header if you would like.

[ft86me]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian

in another thread I read that the radiator is the same distance as the stock radiator. I'm not sure how far back the fans are. I could take a measurement between the stock fan in the closest point of the P&L header if you would like.

That would be of great help good sir!!! I just know it is substantially thicker than then oe radiator so I'm hoping that doesn't effect things

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by ft86me

That would be of great help good sir!!! I just know it is substantially thicker than then oe radiator so I'm hoping that doesn't effect things

There is good clearance around the actual pipes, but the vband is about 1 inch (diagonal) from the stock shroud. There should be enough room, but without knowing the distance the radiator is moved in, i can't
say it wont rub 100%.

Edit: JDL had this to say.

I dont have a vortech but have a koyo. The distance from the back of the rad to the motor doesnts change so you will be fine. It does push the ac condensor forward alittle bit though.

If the distance is the same, then it should all fit.

[ft86me]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian

There is good clearance around the actual pipes, but the vband is about 1 inch (diagonal) from the stock shroud. There should be enough room, but without knowing the distance the radiator is moved in, i can't
say it wont rub 100%.

Edit: JDL had this to say.



If the distance is the same, then it should all fit.

i guess i won't know until i actually try it right? i guess i'll be crossing my fingers.this is what makes me nervous haha. well I've found through research that it is 20mm more thicker than stock. I should be good right?

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by ft86me

i guess i won't know until i actually try it right? i guess i'll be crossing my fingers.this is what makes me nervous haha. well I've found through research that it is 20mm more thicker than stock. I should be good right?

I will take measurements tomorrow morning before work while everything is cool. If you take the same measure you can see how much room you have.

[ft86me]

Originally Posted by Hawaiian

I will take measurements tomorrow morning before work while everything is cool. If you take the same measure you can see how much room you have.

ill def do that. i'll actually do it at work where i have a micrometer to get a precise idea and we can compare some numbers! thanks a bunch man!

[wootwoot]

I'll throw a vote in for a catted header. Non catted will be really loud, it will smell terrible, and it will only give you a few extra hp. If you drive it everyday the costs are not worth the benefits IMO.

[Pneub]

Originally Posted by wootwoot

I'll throw a vote in for a catted header. Non catted will be really loud, it will smell terrible, and it will only give you a few extra hp. If you drive it everyday the costs are not worth the benefits IMO.

They don't seem to make UEL with a cat so my personal plan is to pick me UEL, get a catted front pipe, and go with a resonator on my catback with a quiet muffler (Q300). Hopefully this is quiet and has the flow I need.

[wootwoot]

Given that, I think you have the right idea then.

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by ft86me

ill def do that. i'll actually do it at work where i have a micrometer to get a precise idea and we can compare some numbers! thanks a bunch man!

So, i ocerestimated how big the gap was, but what guy here hasn't been guilty of that before...

There is a 3/4" gap on the nartowest point betwen the vband and the shroud.


But there is 1 3/4" gap between the pipe and fan.


There is also a 6 3/4" between the block and the fan. If the distance is the same on your car then there is 0 fitment issue.

[FR-S Matt]

A non catted header will not smell bad if you still have a catted front pipe. Less restriction with a cat in the front pipe rather than the header since the flow is highest coming from the header.

[Adeets]