Is there a good catted header?

[blsfrs]

Originally Posted by ACT86

Strange question I realise, but if you’re just after the boxer rumble, could a decent exhaust shop just lengthen two of the stock header pipes to create the same effect, or are they specifically tuned to a certain length?

Which 2 pipes would you lengthen to get the Subbie rumble? A couple of years ago, I tried to modify a header on my 2000 Impreza to fit around a extra capacity oil pan. After cutting the header up and a couple of hours of fiddling, I gave up and went with the stock pipe.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by blsfrs

Which 2 pipes would you lengthen to get the Subbie rumble? A couple of years ago, I tried to modify a header on my 2000 Impreza to fit around a extra capacity oil pan. After cutting the header up and a couple of hours of fiddling, I gave up and went with the stock pipe.

Lengthen two of the primaries.

[SpeBud07]

Originally Posted by ACT86

I was led to believe that the Catted aftermarket heads don’t make THAT much difference in power over the 2017 headers. Main reason being that they are $1850 landed here, plus the FT86 headers still throw a code, so a tune would be needed, which is another $1k or so. Be a couple of hundred bucks for the local exhaust shop to lengthen two pipes slightly with a similar end result.

I'm not having a ton of success figuring out the difference between the 2017+ factory header and the 2012-2016 one. Can anyone point me in the right direction? That's still an option for me.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by SpeBud07

I'm not having a ton of success figuring out the difference between the 2017+ factory header and the 2012-2016 one. Can anyone point me in the right direction? That's still an option for me.

The 4 portion was increased from 42.7mm to 45mm and the 2 portion from 45mm to 48.6mm. Also claims to have "optimized collector shape".

[ACT86]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Lengthen two of the primaries.

Has anyone possibly done this? Keen to know if it nets the same result (sound) as an aftermarket Catted header.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ACT86

Has anyone possibly done this? Keen to know if it nets the same result (sound) as an aftermarket Catted header.

Not that I am aware of. It would be a ton of work just to change the way the car sounds. Not sure how the stock cat would effect the sound.

[Dirty Harry]

I’m looking at HKS GT-Spec headers, they would get my vote.

I was literally about to pull the trigger on these but the price jumped from $1985.50 (which was already on the expensive side for me) to the ridiculous $2660, all within 48 hours of me starting to look. Obviously I was devastated .

I’m assuming this is a supply, COVID tax, inflation issue?

I’ve been looking at Japan Parts and they’re around $1900 including shipping. But anything over $1000 includes duties and taxes here and I have no clue in navigating that minefield, so I’ve been reluctant to pull the trigger.

Anyone else import reasonably expensive parts from Japan Parts and what’s involved?

[jflogerzi]

Honestly if you want a catted header stay stock get Tune+Flex Fuel for Corn if you have it around you.

[blsfrs]

It's getting crazy when the cost of a header exceeds the cost of a short block.

[Espi]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

Honestly if you want a catted header stay stock get Tune+Flex Fuel for Corn if you have it around you.

This


just went E85 myself loving the prices compared to what 93 pump is in my area. I am on the JDL catted though, loving it!

[Tatsu333]

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

I’m looking at HKS GT-Spec headers, they would get my vote.

As I mentioned before, with the overall design (I.E. where the merges are) being so similar to OEM and the primary / secondary / collector tubing sizes, it's unlikely the HKS GT-Spec header would make much more power (if any) vs. an OEM 2017+ header.

Sure, it's not as pretty, but if you can pick one of those up from a local wrecker you'll probably save yourself a bundle and get similar results.

[Dirty Harry]

Originally Posted by Tatsu333

As I mentioned before, with the overall design (I.E. where the merges are) being so similar to OEM and the primary / secondary / collector tubing sizes, it's unlikely the HKS GT-Spec header would make much more power (if any) vs. an OEM 2017+ header.

I think they use better materials in the catalytic converter so it might be more efficient. But good points you make, the HKS headers do sound good though.