ACE Header Independent Testing Results and Review - 199.6WHP on CA 91 Octane

[prezes_wojtek]

To anyone who is using this header: What is header height vs stock header? Is it shorter or taller then stock header? Does it fit OEM bottom engine cover with some space to spare or it's tight fit and any bump to engine cover will impact header too?
Bottom clearance is big topic for me due to quality of roads nearby.

[Dzmitry]

Originally Posted by prezes_wojtek

To anyone who is using this header: What is header height vs stock header? Is it shorter or taller then stock header? Does it fit OEM bottom engine cover with some space to spare or it's tight fit and any bump to engine cover will impact header too?
Bottom clearance is big topic for me due to quality of roads nearby.

It seems to vary by person. Many have no issues with the header clearing the engine cover, while for some, it touches. It has become well known that it is recommended to hammer out a couple spots on the cover for the header to have no clearance issues. I did this to be sure before the header install, and never had any problems to begin with.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show....php?p=3042220
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96358

[prezes_wojtek]

Originally Posted by Dzmitry

It seems to vary by person. Many have no issues with the header clearing the engine cover, while for some, it touches. It has become well known that it is recommended to hammer out a couple spots on the cover for the header to have no clearance issues. I did this to be sure before the header install, and never had any problems to begin with.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show....php?p=3042220
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96358

That's exactly what I want to avoid: my current custom header had this problem. Looks like no use changing it to ACE then

[Dzmitry]

Originally Posted by prezes_wojtek

That's exactly what I want to avoid: my current custom header had this problem. Looks like no use changing it to ACE then

Though I don't know your goal, switching to another header like ACE for clearance purposes doesn't sound necessary for you. I don't exactly see the issue to begin with, as no roads that this car is capable of driving on should cause any issues to begin with. What is the worry in hammering out some spots on the cover? The change is something within 0.5" at maximum at those points.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by Dzmitry

Though I don't know your goal, switching to another header like ACE for clearance purposes doesn't sound necessary for you. I don't exactly see the issue to begin with, as no roads that this car is capable of driving on should cause any issues to begin with. What is the worry in hammering out some spots on the cover? The change is something within 0.5" at maximum at those points.

I agree it’s no big deal. Had to hammer two spots to get my JDL uel header to fit. I also put a 1/4 in spacer on the front bolts so the cover is down a bit. No issues.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by conehead

No, I will go from stock to 4-2-1. UEL has that nice subie sound, but it is not the best option for performance. Actually wondering now the different versions of this exhaust compare (150/350/400/etc).


I'm new to this platform so maybe a 4-2-1 option is old news, but I didn't know about it. My SVT Focus came stock with a 4-2-1 and it was perfect. There were no aftermarket headers that could beat it.

I agree if you are trying to maximize gains then EL, but for DD if you want the sound of an UEL then do it. The small gains for NA between headers will not dramatically change your life for DD. Plus the sound might make you think you are faster.

If you are competing, well more is usually better, so EL.

[prezes_wojtek]

Originally Posted by Dzmitry

Though I don't know your goal, switching to another header like ACE for clearance purposes doesn't sound necessary for you. I don't exactly see the issue to begin with, as no roads that this car is capable of driving on should cause any issues to begin with. What is the worry in hammering out some spots on the cover? The change is something within 0.5" at maximum at those points.

Thanks for answer.
I use my GT86 exclusively on track so I have lowered suspension with progressive springs. However I need to get to track and back and I frequently hit with bottom of engine cover with road bumps. I currently have custom EL header installed and engine well tuned for track. Problem is my header is too big and it pushed out engine cover about 2-3cm down. That's where idea of some other custom EL header is coming from. To get back some of the bottom clearance taken by track suspension and my custom EL header.
I was hoping that ACE will be the answer.

[Dzmitry]

Originally Posted by prezes_wojtek

Thanks for answer.
I use my GT86 exclusively on track so I have lowered suspension with progressive springs. However I need to get to track and back and I frequently hit with bottom of engine cover with road bumps. I currently have custom EL header installed and engine well tuned for track. Problem is my header is too big and it pushed out engine cover about 2-3cm down. That's where idea of some other custom EL header is coming from. To get back some of the bottom clearance taken by track suspension and my custom EL header.
I was hoping that ACE will be the answer.

I mean certainly if your cover is 2-3cm lower than usual, the ACE would get most if not all of that height back for you. In general, if your problem resides in the road hitting your engine cover, then pretty much all headers are equal at that point as your car is built for track. So the problem isn't in your header, might as well go with whatever gains you the bit of clearance back that's the best (assuming money is not of major concern).

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by prezes_wojtek

Thanks for answer.
I use my GT86 exclusively on track so I have lowered suspension with progressive springs. However I need to get to track and back and I frequently hit with bottom of engine cover with road bumps. I currently have custom EL header installed and engine well tuned for track. Problem is my header is too big and it pushed out engine cover about 2-3cm down. That's where idea of some other custom EL header is coming from. To get back some of the bottom clearance taken by track suspension and my custom EL header.
I was hoping that ACE will be the answer.

The Ace only needs about 5mm clearancing on the stock undertray. Basically you are taking the ridges and flattening it.

[FunnyGopher]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The Ace only needs about 5mm clearancing on the stock undertray. Basically you are taking the ridges and flattening it.

To piggy back this, after hammering my undertray so that the header didn't rub, there was no height change of my undertray. Everything is still in the OEM location and height. There's now just that super tiny bit of clearance needed for the header to not rub.