catted header options?

[Adam_L]

Hello all,

Just doing some preliminary research. It seems like a header + tune is the way to go, for that torque dip between 3500-5k rpm. Fairly inexpensive effective route.

I'm in CA, so I'd need a catted header. What brands offer catted ? It seems like most headers I see are catless. Im open to UEL or EL.

Thanks in advance.

[nikitopo]

The FT86 Speedfactory catted header is a good low-cost option:
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/ft86...el-header.html


If you want to go on the premium side there is also the Fujitsubo catted header:
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/fuji...2013-ft86.html

[Yoniyama]

In California, annual smog inspection is required after 6 years. Replacement of OEM header with an after-market unit, with or without CAT, will likely flunk the visual inspection part of the smog check, unless:

(1) you are very friendly with the smog check people; or
(2) the after-market unit has a California smog approval (which is highly unlikely).

If you don't want to swap headers for the smog check, I know of one equal-length, CAT attached, and with CA smog approval: the 2017 OEM unit for manual transmission.

[steve99]

Isn,t it illegal to chamge anything emmissions related in CA

So if your getting a tune you might as well jist get catless header ?

Ft86 speedfactory do a catted header if your after one though



Other option might be jist to tune your car to e85 with stock header, then nothing looks different and you get a nice power boost with just e85 and tune

[Pointmutation]

JDL and P&L also offer catted headers for our cars.

[finch1750]

There is no CARB approved aftermarket catted header for our cars so all will still be illegal. Swap at your own risk

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by Pointmutation

JDL and P&L also offer catted headers for our cars.

Yup I have a P&L catted header, it's awesome. Here's a nice used one in the classifieds:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ghlight=header

[Adam_L]

Originally Posted by Yoniyama

If you don't want to swap headers for the smog check, I know of one equal-length, CAT attached, and with CA smog approval: the 2017 OEM unit for manual transmission.

Correct, so the '17+ manual OEM header is really the only one to go with.

So I have to find someone, most likely in another state to sell me theirs , or find a totaled FRS / BRZ '17 manual, and get the header out of that one.

Thanks to all that chimed in.

[LancePower]

How much power is the 2017 OEM Header going to net you?


One or two ponies?

[churchx]

With same tune - probably about that. Also it's not 100% fool-proof warranty for CELs to not appear if you retrofit it to older cars, as you run it with older ecu tune, that expects different header. And imho it technically also is not legal replacement .. just that harder to notice. So imho that small gain is not worth the hassle of getting it & retroffitting. If one decides on spending on improving car, then better at least for substantial/noticeable gains that actually can be felt by 'butt-dyno'. In our case - catless aftermarket header.

[driggity]

Originally Posted by steve99

Isn,t it illegal to chamge anything emmissions related in CA

So if your getting a tune you might as well jist get catless header ?

A tune is easier to swap back to stock when it comes to emissions time so for us lazy people or those who don't want to pay for swapping headers twice each time emissions comes up just there is something to be said for just a tune even though it is technically just as illegal. Or you can just go all the way to an emissions legal forced induction solution.

[mrspindlelegs]

Don't forget to check the sticky near the top of this forum subsection:


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81491

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Adam_L

Hello all,

Just doing some preliminary research. It seems like a header + tune is the way to go, for that torque dip between 3500-5k rpm. Fairly inexpensive effective route.

I'm in CA, so I'd need a catted header. What brands offer catted ? It seems like most headers I see are catless. Im open to UEL or EL.

Thanks in advance.

Others have already mentioned it but it depends on if you want it for street legal purposes, or just to get rid of the smell.

For first 6 years of ownership no one will care what you do, after that you may or may not need biannual smog checks, it really depends on what county you live in.

Aftermarket catted header is not legal in CA in a strict sense. In practice, you can do whatever you want until you need a smog check, or whenever you get pulled over for a smelly exhaust, whichever one is first.

Originally Posted by steve99

Isn,t it illegal to chamge anything emmissions related in CA

It's illegal to knowingly increase emissions of a car in virtually ANY state in the US beyond the established state or federal minimum. It is a federal crime to remove a functioning catalytic converter without replacing it.

Whether you want to enforce the laws or not depends on local priorities. Some states don't care because they don't have an air pollution problem (or pretend there's no air pollution problem).

-alex

[Adam_L]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, I'd like it for street legal reasons, and not have to remove every 2 years for a smog check (post the initial 5-6 year of when a car is new).

I was thinking header and tune ( to remove as much of that torque lag as possible 3500-5k rpm). I'm not in any rush to do anything this minute, but was thinking 1-2 years out. I'll do more research and come back to this. I'm also unsure on EL or UEL header. I know UEL gives more of a boxer rumble , but not sure if there is any real performance difference (more hp/torque) by going with one over the other.