JDL Catted Header

[So FR-SH]

Originally Posted by Yap

Thanks, I was looking at the forums and I really couldn't find any information on it. I really am interested in JDL now, and I'm debating if I want to go catted or non catted. I was wondering if the catted was a bit loud for your taste.

Yeah, JDL is the better option to go with in my opinion. I went with the catted because I don't plan to get a tune anytime soon as well as have to worry about the CEL. The catted uel header didn't make my car too loud. It depends on what exhaust you have. I know I have a deeper sounding exhaust which combined with the JDL increases the sound a bit more as well as ad the rumble, but to me it doesn't feel like a significant increase of sound. I find it to be the perfect sound in my case, it's not too loud, and not too quiet. For the uncatted, it would sound relatively louder and perhaps a bit more raspier. Overall, I find my header to be a good match along with the rest of my exhaust system.

[Yap]

Yeah im surprised that they offered it. I thought it was only FT86 Speedfactory that offered it. I'm still debating if I should get catted or uncatted, but as someone stated you can hardly tell the difference. I'll most likely go catted to get a more tamed exhaust note.

Originally Posted by nelsmar

Let me find a dyno from the initial prototype... I took a car with drop in filter and 3" cat back, dyno tuned it... Swapped on the header and retuned for a fair comparison. Interesting characteristics. Torque dip was still present iirc but made almost the same tq increase at every rpm. The entire plot just shifted up. They decided to not produce it for whatever reason but I was fairly impressed overall. I was told that they would sell if someone asked for it but they weren't going to post it up anywhere. It looks like they changed their mind.

[nelsmar]

Originally Posted by Yap

Yeah im surprised that they offered it. I thought it was only FT86 Speedfactory that offered it. I'm still debating if I should get catted or uncatted, but as someone stated you can hardly tell the difference. I'll most likely go catted to get a more tamed exhaust note.

Personally I would rather use a catted front pipe. My girlfriend has a greddy sp muffler, JDL catted fp, op, and catless UEL and the exhaust noise level is fairly low, with no drone, and has a great sound to it.

[iarefluffy]

Originally Posted by So FR-SH

Yeah, JDL is the better option to go with in my opinion. I went with the catted because I don't plan to get a tune anytime soon as well as have to worry about the CEL. The catted uel header didn't make my car too loud. It depends on what exhaust you have. I know I have a deeper sounding exhaust which combined with the JDL increases the sound a bit more as well as ad the rumble, but to me it doesn't feel like a significant increase of sound. I find it to be the perfect sound in my case, it's not too loud, and not too quiet. For the uncatted, it would sound relatively louder and perhaps a bit more raspier. Overall, I find my header to be a good match along with the rest of my exhaust system.

which exhaust do you have?

[jflogerzi]

The key to keeping the rasp and drone down will be whats after the header. IMO I would go JDL's uel non catted, ultra quiet FP (or keep stock front pipe) and get a nice resonated cat-back like a Q300, 2.5inch perrin or something similar.

[Yap]

Originally Posted by iarefluffy

which exhaust do you have?

I have the Afe Takeda catback exhaust. I was pressured into buying it so I don't know how the whole thing would sound with everything stock in the front and the catback exhaust.

[kch]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

The key to keeping the rasp and drone down will be whats after the header. IMO I would go JDL's uel non catted, ultra quiet FP (or keep stock front pipe) and get a nice resonated cat-back like a Q300, 2.5inch perrin or something similar.

I just finished this exact setup. JDL UEL catless, 2.5" OP, UQFP, and 2.5" resonated perrin. It sounds like sex. Can totally recommend.

[So FR-SH]

Originally Posted by iarefluffy

which exhaust do you have?

I have the Greddy Supreme SP Catback on.

[CraftyObeseCrunchyKitty]

I installed the JDL catted UEL with a factory exhaust and I didn't notice a difference in the exhaust note. No rumble at all. Swapping out the muffler for the muffled track pipe from Nameless makes it sound like a typical tuner Subaru though. I dynoed it, un-tuned, and lost a significant amount of mid-range torque. After getting tuned some of the mid range torque was returned and a decent amount was gained at the top of the rev range. It weighs about 6 pounds less than the factory header so I guess I'll stick with it. For now.

[Yap]

thanks for your input guys, I'm still debating cause of Cali laws. I want that rumble but not be too loud.

[rx3]

It would be nice if one of these catted headers was available with a stock looking heat shield, such that it could pass visual inspection.

[nelsmar]

Originally Posted by CraftyObeseCrunchyKitty

I installed the JDL catted UEL with a factory exhaust and I didn't notice a difference in the exhaust note. No rumble at all. Swapping out the muffler for the muffled track pipe from Nameless makes it sound like a typical tuner Subaru though. I dynoed it, un-tuned, and lost a significant amount of mid-range torque. After getting tuned some of the mid range torque was returned and a decent amount was gained at the top of the rev range. It weighs about 6 pounds less than the factory header so I guess I'll stick with it. For now.

Did you warm up the car and then re-torque the header? The heads flex slightly and the flanges will loose contact with the head. A friend did a dyno with one of the very first JDL UEL uncatted headers and lost significant power until high rpm. After fixing the flanges not matting up he broke 200whp wayyyyy back.

[CraftyObeseCrunchyKitty]

Originally Posted by nelsmar

Did you warm up the car and then re-torque the header? The heads flex slightly and the flanges will loose contact with the head. A friend did a dyno with one of the very first JDL UEL uncatted headers and lost significant power until high rpm. After fixing the flanges not matting up he broke 200whp wayyyyy back.

What gaskets did your friend use? I did re-torque the header bolts after a while, but none of the nuts felt loose when I did. I noticed some soot on the head when I removed the factory header but when I re-torqued the bolts I didn't notice any more than what was already there.

[nelsmar]

Originally Posted by CraftyObeseCrunchyKitty

What gaskets did your friend use? I did re-torque the header bolts after a while, but none of the nuts felt loose when I did. I noticed some soot on the head when I removed the factory header but when I re-torqued the bolts I didn't notice any more than what was already there.

I have installed a lot of headers and used STI and BRZ gaskets. You want to warm the engine and torque when warm. The nuts won't come loose. Especially if you are using the copper lock nuts. But the torque value may change due to the engine having slight flex after warming up.

I am going to assume the design for the catted UEL hasn't changed much if any from the original prototype and I forsure saw a fairly large gain across the powerband. Did you have it dyno tuned or just e tuned or what? I would be more than happy to share the vvt maps used in the dyno above when I get to my computer.