UEL Headers and Exhaust System

[SubaruKenny_d]

I want to get UEL headers but im not sure if I want to go with the headers or if I should leave my stock header and put a muffler on. I want to do both but unfortunately one has to come before the other. Should I do UEL headers and a stock muffler? (will it have a low throaty sound?) //OR// Should I do a muffler and leave my stock header on? If so what muffler should I go with? What did you guys do.

[ctbrighton]

What did you guys do.
as far as I know, noone here has attempted to do what you are doing, and consequently there is zero documentation of it.

[SubaruKenny_d]

I found a nice muffler, a lot of guys are using magnaflow exhaust mufflers. For example I found the street series (#14832) muffler. They sound really good on subies and I think would be a neat addition to what I got. Thanks for all the information on the headers.

Mangaflow Muffler: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/d...rtnumber=14832


Muffler Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX73gW46H2k

Take a look and let me know what you guys think, even with stock headers it sounds good.

[Thomistopheles]

I ran a stock exhaust with a borla rep UEL header for a little while. It sounded pretty damn close to stock, not a low throaty sound like you're looking for. I later cut off my muffler and extended the pipe out to the bumper to get my boxer rumble.

[prodriver1]

most headers need to be wrapped or they have a loud pinging sound that sounds like a leak, unless you pay for a nice header, just do muffler first, it makes the most difference sound wise, i thought subaru headers are UEL stock??

[SubaruKenny_d]

Thanks for the info, and from what I know the aftermarket borla headers are shaped differently to receive max performance and sound.

[prodriver1]

Thanks for the info, and from what I know the aftermarket borla headers are shaped differently to receive max performance and sound.
unequal length (UEL) is how subarus get the rumble, my 98' came stock with UEL's newer subarus have equal length headers, UEL headers are NOT designed for performance, just sound. aftermarket headers are usually bigger hence the performance could be upgraded with corresponding mods to take advantage of this i.e the rest of the exhaust and more importantly an ecu upgrade to tell the car it has better exhaust so it can change the AFR (air fuel ratio) to get more power. borola is just one of many companies that make headers for subarus they are just the best ones for the N/A subaru's and a quite expensive comparatively.

[chrish8r]

There is guy in here( i think) that is selling uel headers that he makes himself. They are listed on ebay for a bit more than the cheap one and a bit less than borlas. Plus he makes single ports which are quite hard to find.

[SubaruKenny_d]

There is guy in here( i think) that is selling uel headers that he makes himself. They are listed on ebay for a bit more than the cheap one and a bit less than borlas. Plus he makes single ports which are quite hard to find.
Is there any way you could post a link?

[chrish8r]

Here is the dual port setup

http://www.ebay.com/itm/subaru-2-2-2-5L ... 3382987954 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/subaru-2-2-2-5L-dual-port-UEL-exhaust-headers-stainless-/221234362708?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3382987954)

[harrymaneuvers]

And single port.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/subaru-2-2L-sin ... 53&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/subaru-2-2L-single-port-UEL-exhaust-headers-stainless-/221234362707?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3382987953&vxp=mtr)

I have talked to this guy and he seems pretty legitimate.

[SubaruKenny_d]

The custom built twin pipes for the 2.5 N/A is more expensive, but I guess its the classic deal of "what you pay for is what you get". I would also assume that it would need some slight modifications to go directly on the car...

[LeggyxPower]

get a muffler first then uel headers... i had bought a vibrant street power muffler ( http://vibrantperformance.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1022_1031_1109&products_id=48 ) this muffler gave it a very deep sound and flows amazing!..i had later fabbed up some uel headers and heat wrapped them and the tone got even deeper with the rumble ;)

[ilovemy96]

I found a nice muffler, a lot of guys are using magnaflow exhaust mufflers. For example I found the street series (#14832) muffler. They sound really good on subies and I think would be a neat addition to what I got. Thanks for all the information on the headers.

Mangaflow Muffler: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/d...rtnumber=14832


Muffler Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX73gW46H2k

Take a look and let me know what you guys think, even with stock headers it sounds good.


Hey that's my video haha. I still have the car with the same muffler and it still sounds good. Not loud at all, the sound is
really deep. It's just the muffler though, i've never been able to get my hands on a uel header. but i would get them in a
heartbeat if i had some spare $.

[chrish8r]

I found a nice muffler, a lot of guys are using magnaflow exhaust mufflers. For example I found the street series (#14832) muffler. They sound really good on subies and I think would be a neat addition to what I got. Thanks for all the information on the headers.

Mangaflow Muffler: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/d...rtnumber=14832


Muffler Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX73gW46H2k

Take a look and let me know what you guys think, even with stock headers it sounds good.


Hey that's my video haha. I still have the car with the same muffler and it still sounds good. Not loud at all, the sound is
really deep. It's just the muffler though, i've never been able to get my hands on a uel header. but i would get them in a
heartbeat if i had some spare $.

I always wondered if the person(now i know its you, haha) was on the forum. This was the muffler i was set on getting because of the video but once i saw the price of the muffler, i sort of backed down. But once i am in need of a new one and i have cash, this will probably be the one i get.

[ilovemy96]

yea its been a while since i've been here. Its def. worth it though, i managed to get lucky on mine on craigslist for like $50. I need to make a newer video of rolling shots and what not, now that i have a better camera.

[Muse]

What do the exhaust bolts need to be torqued to when I get my UELs on, or should I just go as tight as I can?

[Grimmrican]

That's what I did. No problems yet. Tight is tight broke is broke lol

[rkrenicki]

What do the exhaust bolts need to be torqued to when I get my UELs on, or should I just go as tight as I can?

The FSM says 22.4ft-lbs +/- 3.6.

[Wiscon_Mark]

What do the exhaust bolts need to be torqued to when I get my UELs on, or should I just go as tight as I can?

Never overtorque anything head related - there's no coming back from a stripped thread on an aluminum head. Over tightened bolts on the studs can mean a difficult time getting the the exhaust back off later, too.

[SubaruKenny_d]

Okay guys so I finally got my hands on a Borla UEL header for my 01 legacy. How should I go about installing it? I was reading the haynes manual and it sounded like it wanted me to do a lot of extra work.

[86bratman]

It shouldn't be that hard. Jack the car up from the center jack plate and support it on both sides with jackstands, drive it on ramps, or use a lift if you have access to it. Undo the 6 nuts from the manifold to the engine(3 per side), then the 2 for the connection to the cat pipe. Clean the flanges real good, reverse the procedure using the new gaskets and any hardware from the new header. Lower the car back down, go for a drive.

[Bianrox]

And you make it sound so easy!

I'm getting my exhaust replaced sometime in September. I've done a lot of research and I think I'm going completely custom (not headers, atm) at a local custom exhaust shop called Lou's. Anyone ever heard of them? The google reviews are awesome.

This will be on my '04 3rd gen BE

[Grimmrican]

It shouldn't be that hard. Jack the car up from the center jack plate and support it on both sides with jackstands, drive it on ramps, or use a lift if you have access to it. Undo the 6 nuts from the manifold to the engine(3 per side), then the 2 for the connection to the cat pipe. Clean the flanges real good, reverse the procedure using the new gaskets and any hardware from the new header. Lower the car back down, go for a drive.and lots if pb blaster. Bitches love pb blaster. Other than that ^this is how it's done lol. Took me about an hour tops to remove it with some swearing. Then I realized my be uels wouldn't fit. Bolt holes didn't line up. I was about 2" off so I took it to the shop had them install it.


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[86bratman]

I figured some sort of penetrating oil was a given, especially since the OP is in PA lol.

I hope I didn't make it sound deceptively easy. I've been around Subaru's since the late 80's, swapped an ea82 by myself at 14, most of the mechanical aspects of these cars are just second nature to me by now lol.

[Grimmrican]

Bro.... Nothing is ever easy. Even when it is shit always happens lol.


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[SubaruKenny_d]

I already started penetrating the bolts on the manifold, and I hope that putting this uel header on will get rid of the heat guard rattle problem. That is so annoying however the old pipe is coming off for good! I got new gaskets and I plan to use the old header bolts. I think that will be substantial.

I will try to take pictures of my process.

[Grimmrican]

Installing the uel will not solve ur heat shield rattle. Either tack weld it together with the cat or just delete the shield.


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[SubaruKenny_d]

Mhmm I will replace the uel, if the rattle still continues it is on the cat. I heard the rattle and it sounded to be on the header but that was just an observation. Whats the best way of going about the heat shield delete? Thanks for all of the help.

[Grimmrican]

Best way to delete the heat shield is with ur hand lol just pry that butch the hell off. And if u look on the passenger side firewall down below ull see where ur cat and header meet. Also ull see the heat shield too. That's y u might think ur uel is rattling


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[SubaruKenny_d]

Thanks for the tips, I will try to use some hose clams before I rip it off. But I read some other forums and they all seem to say it is all the same piece of heat shield between both cats. I gotta get her on a lift to figure all of this stuff out. Oh and what is the deal with guys burning oil after they put headers on? I saw that mostly happens with the ebay brand header rather than the legit Borla uel. You guys know anything about that?

[Grimmrican]

I never heard anything like that "oil burning" happen with eBay uels. I actually own a set and I don't burn any oil.


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[Wiscon_Mark]

I've heard of people burning or warping the oil filters when they get too close, a problem on AT models that have the oil cooler setup on the filter flange. I don't know how headers would effect the piston rings though...

I didn't have a problem with my eBay headers getting too close to the filter, but I drive a 5MT which doesn't stick the oil filter out quite as far...

[SubaruKenny_d]

If I rip it off i don't think it will melt anything anyways, it gets hot none the less. Either with the heat shields on or not. I was just neglecting to do that but whatever.

[SubaruKenny_d]

Oh and what is the deal with guys burning oil after they install their uel? Is that just ebay brand or will my borla do the same?

[Grimmrican]

^u already asked that lol. But I never heard such a thing in general. And I stress that "I never". So it's not improbable.


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[SubaruKenny_d]

Check out this forum I found on the burning oil thing..

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=2224882 (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2224882)

[86bratman]

I'd probably get some of the header wrap just to be on the safe side. The oil thing doesn't seem to be a widespread issue, but it's cheap insurance either way.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I think people in that thread are confused between burning oil, which is oil getting by the piston rings and into the combustion chamber, and leaking oil onto the exhaust, which is completely different.

[SubaruKenny_d]

So I got my Borla UEL on and it sounds amazing with my Magnaflow axle-back! And while under the car I figured that I should throw 2 hose clamps on the rattling heat shield, WHICH WORKED! Nice exhaust and no rattle anymore. But one concern that I have is that when it comes time to change my oil again I will not be able to get the filter off...I was trying to find the shortest filter to put on her. Mobil 1 is looking like a good option. (I have a Bosch on now...) :-?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/09/IMG_5776JPG-1.jpg

Also let me know about good aftermarket resonators to replace my stocker! I think thats next on the list. :smt023

[1996Battlewagon]

Why wouldn't you be able to get the filter off? Also, friends don't let friends use Fram oil filters.

[86bratman]

Use the filter on the right. Don't question risk it.

[prodriver1]

I like mobil one. most oil filters have a valve that closes under high pressure, like when your driving fast, and thats not good to be pumping oil through thats not being filtered and it cools the oil a little when it passes through the filter which is good when driving hard. mobil one does not have this valve, they are rated at a higher flow than normal filters as well, and last longer, though i change my oil often so i have never needed that feature.

[SubaruKenny_d]

I don't know how I am going to get the Bosch filter off but I will use a Mobil 1 filter next time. What's bad about Fram filters? How about purlator filters?

[86bratman]

Knock a screw driver through the filter body and use that for leverage to loosen it if you have room.

Fram filters have been know to suffer from collapsed filter media, don't need to explain why that's a bad thing.

[SubaruKenny_d]

Thats what I was figuring, just tap the filter and mess it up to get it out. What about a good aftermarket resonator? I was looking and couldn't find any good brands. Any ideas?

[86bratman]

yeah, I came here to type an answer for the resonator and my mind went blank...

[prodriver1]

Knock a screw driver through the filter body and use that for leverage to loosen it if you have room.

Fram filters have been know to suffer from collapsed filter media, don't need to explain why that's a bad thing.
:smt023 :smt023 :smt023

[86bratman]

yeah, I came here to type an answer for the resonator and my mind went blank...


Vibrant is the brand I was trying to think of last night.

[1996Battlewagon]

Everything Vibrant makes is golden... or flat black if you buy one of those.

[SubaruKenny_d]

I guess my best bet would to be just cut out the old one and throw the vibrant one on there. And im sure I could get that oil filter off no problem, like the guys said, punch a screwdriver through and twist that bitch off.

[SubaruKenny_d]

I hate reviving an old thread, but I think I'm going to cut out my resonator to get more raspy sound. I already have a true Borla twin port header and a magnaflow axle-back muffler. What do you guys think about this one?