Ebay header

[VehicleCityAWD]

I'm looking to get the subie boxer sound without being uncomfortably loud. I'm planning the uel header, replace rear cat with 14" resonator, see what it's like with stock muffler. If it needs more prob try an STi muffler. Any suggestions on that welcome.

Anyways my question, I see a few options of off brand headers. Is any one supplier better/more trust worthy? Do these last? Any issues to know of before hand?

[Reason]

You wont get much sound with that on a stock muffler. As for the STi muffler my opinion is they dont sound good on n/a Subarus.

[SilverSuby]

And headers are on and off with the quality so its usually a gamble.

[Reason]

And headers are on and off with the quality so its usually a gamble.

And is why I'm trying to start a group buy on better headers.

[grayguy]

"better"...I've had and seen far better results with ebay headers than name brand headers, but I've heard plenty of people that say the opposite.

[SilverSuby]

I would be in on that group buy when is it? Im saving up for a new kiteboarding kite...

[Reason]

Check the GB section, there needs to be interest, there's none. "Good results" from eBay headers just mean they haven't cracked on you or rusted out. Shitty welds cheap thin material and bad transition points will all be corrected. I've owned 3 sets of Borla knock offs and actual Borla headers. I know a thing or two about welding and steel. Those knock offs are cheaply made and mass produced. That's why they are so cheap, they use the lowest grade "304" they can find. But it looks pretty because it is polished. Quality exhaust parts are hard to come by. I'm try to change it, but people rather buy 2-3 sets of headers over the course of their Subaru owner ship. I want to provide exhaust parts that you feel are hard yo let go after you sell your car because you have such a nice piece. And most likely these will be a limited production unless they catch on. But I'm just looking to start the interest. This is a good opportunity to have quality parts made. Some people get scared of price tags when they hear quality parts. I will do everything in my power to control pricing to around the average price of headers. And im not talking cheap eBay crap either.

[SativaMan04]

Couldnt find the group buy section, but would it only be for the BD/BG? I have a BH and i would be intrested in a group buy for quality headers.

[Reason]

Vendor Group Buy section in the Vendor forum. Well the headers will fit both, so will the cat, the rest might not.

[Reason]

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24347 (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=24347)

[grayguy]

I know we've been over this, but I have dealt with 2 pairs of ebay headers that are 4-5 years old and still going strong, and I have a pair of 5 yr old borlas that have had every single weld. Rewelded atleast once, some places more. I can just not justify spending tons of $$$ of name brand exhaust, my friend I had plently of people with very nicely built cars saying our $250 ebay 3" TBE sounded better other peoples $1000+ exhaust setups.

[SilverSuby]

Reason I PMed you about ROTM as well..

[Wiscon_Mark]

You wont get much sound with that on a stock muffler. As for the STi muffler my opinion is they dont sound good on n/a Subarus.

Agreed on both points. With a stock catback, or another quiet type muffler, you'll get a lower tone, but it's not terribly noticeable as it's still quiet.

The STi muffler, in my opinion, is way too loud on an N/A car. I hated mine after a couple of years. Too much droning, and I did have resonators in the catback (system included a hi-flow cat & stock headers, FWIW).

[02_Legacy]

The STi muffler, in my opinion, is way too loud on an N/A car. I hated mine after a couple of years. Too much droning, and I did have resonators in the catback (system included a hi-flow cat & stock headers, FWIW).
I have ebay knockoffs and STi catback made to fit and it is pretty quite and deep. Then again I'm used to hearing my classmates fart cans which are too loud.

[VehicleCityAWD]

Well. Ebay header ordered, didn't think sti would be that loud. Any other suggestions? I don't want a fart can. And I don't want it loud in the cabin. I assume a baffled muffler like flowmaster wouldn't sound as good as a straight through like magnaflow?

[SilverSuby]

In my opinion I think that 2.5" catback would be good but if you don't do it right you will lose hp i have 2.25" cat and it sounds good and I gained about 2-3hp.

[Wiscon_Mark]

WRX mufflers are a little more tame than the STi ones. Still an upgrade in terms of flow & sound.

[VehicleCityAWD]

Thanks, I'll look into those. Not really looking for power increase. Don't hot rod the car at all (have a built Z28 for that). Just want it to sound good like I know it can.

[VehicleCityAWD]

Ok so I got it a few days ago, looks great. Came with gaskets and hardware, nice stuff too that suprised me. Anyways went to install it today and it's off, by quite a bit. Anyone had this issue? I called the company they said they would replace it or I could modify it and recieve a credit. I sent them pics and they are going to get back to me tomarrow.

Here's the pics:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/ee0f75d0-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/f0c5a220-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/d9d65c10-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/80fc4f12-2.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/b3f49efd-2.jpg

[Crowboy]

Yeah, I had the same experience. I strong-armed it into place and it works fine, but its touching my subframe and power steering lines. You'll want to check yours on the car to see if that's a problem for you. Mine is coming back off until I can make friends with a muffler shop to tweak it to the right shape with their hydraulic bender. I've heard authentic Borla's don't have this problem? I guess you get what you pay for.

Zack

[Reason]

Again the same reason I am working on a UEL header that will be QUALITY. Check the forum announcements for the thread.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Here's my tip for installation - line up the driver's side first. Get that side on to the studs, and (make sure you have at least 2 of the studs in the heads) then pry the passenger side on. There's plenty of give, and it doesn't take too much effort.

[VehicleCityAWD]

I thought about forcing it but was affraid of stressing the head. I'll try that this weekend, thanks guys!

[Reason]

You wont stress the head, its the welds on the thin piping would be the issue. It looks out if whack, it may have been dropped. Once you stretch that header it wont last long. As it heats up and cools off a few times the weak points will eventually crack. Let them sen you a new header.

[Wiscon_Mark]

If it's taking any more than a bit of effort, don't do it, it will crack the welds. Mine just required the right sequencing.

[VehicleCityAWD]

Got it installed! Thanks a lot for all the help! Was way easier to pull it over than I expected.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/38a30787-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/04/6663bb0b-2.jpg

Now my new question, lol (what a newb). Has anyone modified their skid plate to fit with a header? I don't plan to off road, but it would be nice to have it to protect from road debris.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I know people have used spacers to lower the skid plates.

[VehicleCityAWD]

Not a bad idea!!

[jjay03]

How close is your header to the oil pan it looks really close?

[Wiscon_Mark]

Mine wasn't terribly close. I was more concerned about the oil filter...

[jjay03]

Im going to just return my header I think and get a stock replacement.

[gonepostal]

was there a noticeable power increase with those headers and what did they run you?

[SilverSuby]

was there a noticeable power increase with those headers and what did they run you?
If you are considering headers give this a look. We are trying to organize a group buy on them that will be good quality which ebay headers have been spotty with and affordability.viewtopic.php?f=55&t=24347 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=24347)

[Crowboy]

Further update: I pulled my Ebay headers from topspeed-pro1-performance ($210 shipped) because I knew they were contacting my front crossmember and power steering lines.

I had to stretch these over an inch to get the bolt holes to line up. Even with the flange nuts really tight, apparently I had exhaust leaks.I think that partially explains the additional noise, though mine were unwrapped so it could have been more noisy due to that. I had these on a total of about 300 miles. The spot were the subframe was rubbing had worn about half the thickness of the tubing.

http://www.at0m9labs.com/Subaru/pics/Header24flange.jpg
This is the cylinder 2-4 flange. No carbon buildup in the cylinder 4 pipe. This is the one that is misfiring due I think to a burnt exhaust valve.

http://www.at0m9labs.com/Subaru/pics/Header13flange.jpg
This is the flange that was leaking. I was reusing OEM exhaust gaskets. I recommend running something that will compensate for misalignment if you choose to run the cheaper headers.

http://www.at0m9labs.com/Subaru/pics/HeaderDiscolor.jpg
Some pretty colors. If these were motorcycle pipes, I'd say I was running a little hot probably from a lean condition. On a subie, I don't know what I should be looking for.

I might still try to tweak these to get them to line up better, but that's just me being stubborn about the $210. The stock y pipe went back on, leaks were gone, things ran quieter, bit more power (i think) without the leaks.

my $.02
Zack

[Wiscon_Mark]

It's unlikely your Subaru is running lean as they tend to run very rich from factory.

[VehicleCityAWD]

It is pretty close to the oil pan, I have em wrapped now and there's just enough room between for light to shine through. Also after wrapping the leak noise that was there is gone. As for the colors mine were on for 2 weeks or so before wrapping and the were turning gold and blue/purple at the head, pretty cool but that's what stainless dose.

Secondly, I have everything all finished. Removed midpipe cat and resonator, tried to gut the muffler but was still quiet so I cut the muffler off and put a 18" resonator with the factory tip welded to it. Sound is awesome!