UEL header recommendations?

[kookookachew]

Hey guys, in the next few days I think I'll be ordering a set of UEL headers off of ebay. I found two around the price I want to pay, but before I go ahead and order one I thought I'd get some opinions from people who know what they are talking about.

Heres the first one, its $145.99 with $30.00 shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 430wt_1010 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110536011751&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3430wt_1010)

Its about $45 more than this one,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 347wt_1032 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330462358216&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_5347wt_1032)
Which one do you guys think? Or do you recommend a different one?

Thanks, Adam

this is what i have as well as alot of other forum guys here and i like them

http://www.speedyracer.com/servlet/the- ... for/Detail (http://www.speedyracer.com/servlet/the-173/Subaru-Impreza-Header-for/Detail)

[kookookachew]

Cool, how has it been? Any rust or cracks? Also, I noticed it says from 2000-up, is there a difference in the EJ25 from 99-2000 that I'm not aware of?

no, i reccomend wrapping them with header wrap as these are known to be thin walled causing a sewing machine noise, but the wrap eliminates that mostly

no rust, cracks or anything negative in the 8-9 months ive had these on, im happy with them

all of the non turbo 2.5L subaru headers will fit any non turbo 2.5L subaru engine

[kookookachew]

Cool, thanks, I'll probably order it tomorrow! As for the header wrap, will I be able to pick that up at any parts store, or do I have to get it someplace special?

One last thing; I've heard that the headers (depending on make) can be difficult to install because they dont fit perfectly out of the box, did you have any problems with yours?

Thanks again for the advice!

no, mine bolted right up no problem.. as for the wrap, ive seen it at o'riellys before, but i bought mine off of ebay... 50 feet of 2" wide will be enough.. you may opt to spray them too if they salt the roads in the winter

[kookookachew]

Ok, one more question, what do you spray the wrap with? Sorry, I'm new to exhaust wraps entirely.

[rice117]

its like a sealer to make them last longer.

[ESSYMOND]

a sealer? any better names? more specifically, any brands? (etc)

[kookookachew]

^^ Thanks, glad I'm not the only one with these questions, I dont feel like such a noob. :wink:

[rice117]

ive never used it but ive asked the same question. so i dont know brands or anything. someone wanna clue us in?

[bulldozer24]

All these uel headers look the same to me is there a diffrence between the eBay one and the one from the other website.

price pretty much

[subie/legacy]

I think the second one would be the better choice since it is cheaper, and the pipes don't look crushed like others that I've seen.
welds don't look have bad either if the actual product will look like the picture.
maybe ask the seller a few questions such as-
warranty
which grade of stainless steel is used
is the 2 1/4 the inner or outer diameter on the outlet

Maybe others will chime in and give you some more ideas on questions to ask.

[LiCelsior]

be careful with header wrap, they are prone to cracking the header more often. google it and you'll see what im talking about.

[kookookachew]

Thanks guys, I did order this one, http://www.speedyracer.com/servlet/the- ... for/Detail (http://www.speedyracer.com/servlet/the-173/Subaru-Impreza-Header-for/Detail)


I'll try it without the header wrap, and see how it goes, I've heard of others not using the wrap and they haven't had any problems. Hopefully I'll get it on this upcoming weekend or, if I'm really lucky, this week; and I'll let you guys know.

[ESSYMOND]

if theres snow in your area, you'll definitely want wrap

[kookookachew]

Ok, so I do live in central/northern NY and there can be alot of snow. Should I wrap or unwrap? Soem are saying not to cause the wrap will cause cracks, and others are saying to because I have snow, which is it?

[kookookachew]

Anybody have any definite advice/experience with this?

[httrdd]

Ok, so I do live in central/northern NY and there can be alot of snow. Should I wrap or unwrap? Soem are saying not to cause the wrap will cause cracks, and others are saying to because I have snow, which is it?

I drove around unwrapped the whole winter with no problems. Might not be the long term you are looking for though. I sprayed them with high temp silicone paint for looks and protection. I have heard of numerious wrapped header Subies driving through our winters and having no problems.

[kookookachew]

So, would spraying on the high-temp silicon spray be enough? I'm afraid to wrap them because salt will get into the wrap for sure, (they coat the roads in the stuff up here), and according to many, that will rust out these cheap replicas quick.

they rust out stainless steel replicas?

[kookookachew]

Thats what I've heard from a couple of the various forums and internet sites I've been browsing since I was made aware of all these choices. Theres soo much different conflicting info that I have no idea what to do anymore, I started out with the simple idea of bolting up a set of headers and now I'm lost in a world of sprays, coatings, and wraps.

[bulldozer24]

i have heard about slight surface rust but not rusting all the way through.

just buy em, wrap em, spend a total of $150 and have a good set, no need to get fancy and if they do rust out.. i doubt itll be any time soon

[kookookachew]

Ok, I think thats what I'll do, thanks for all the help guys, I cant wait until the headers get here so I can get them on! I'll make sure to make some exhaust vids and keep you guys updated.

[kookookachew]

BTW: Zues, I love your lights, thats another thing on the list for my OB

[LiCelsior]

wanna buy my lightbar and hella lights?

[kookookachew]

^^^ I'd love to, but I'm saving the rest of my "car fund" for a Magnaflow muffler, and probably a clutch, it seems to be a little weak. Thanks for the offer though :wink:

[LiCelsior]

np, uel header and a magnaflow axleback is a nice tone.

[kookookachew]

Wooohooo, just picked up the header from the post office! Its missing a bolt, but they seem pretty common so I'll just pick one up at the hardware or something. I cant wait to get it on!

[d1giPhux]

Let us know what you think about the clearance near of headers / oil filter. Anyone have any trouble with this?