Questions about headers on a BE

[JLav211]

Hey guys.

First question: what does my car have stock? UEL or equal length headers?

Second: How difficult is it to install aftermarket headers?

Third: Are they worth it? I'm debating between a high flow cat with eBay headers or high flow cat with a custom mid-pipe to hook up with the Stromung axle back.

Thanks guys!

[Sarra]

1) Um, UEL.

2) Depends on how rusted your bolts and nuts are.

3) Your stock manifold has a 90 degree collector, decide for yourself.

[Airgne]

on mine only have about 1ft of stock pipe. i got borla header, 1 cat into 3in all the way to a apexi n1 muffler. it sound like a pissed off wrx. alot have ppl have said it is nice. ony cost me 250 for muffler and 180 for the pipes to get made and welded.

[JLav211]

1) Um, UEL.

2) Depends on how rusted your bolts and nuts are.

3) Your stock manifold has a 90 degree collector, decide for yourself.

Thanks for the help - I admitedly don't know a whole lot about this.

I figured I had UEL headers, as it sounds like a damn WRX after the muffler went on. My friend with a new Impreza couldn't believe it.

As far as installation, yes - rusty bolts make a difference. But as far as a "how-to" - what's necessary?

[Sarra]

Get new gaskets, then pull 6 bolts holding the manifold to the block. Pull 2 bolts holding the manifold to the cat, and the darn thing comes off. Put new gaskets on, bolt the mani to the block, then to the cat, and you're done.

[evan55]

Your car actually has equal length headers stock.

Either go for UEL headers for sound, or EL for performance

[Sarra]

My BE had UEL headers from the factory.

[Huffer]

Factory exhaust header is more EL than UEL. It just doesn't have big enough pipes and the collector design isn't that efficient.

[Huffer]

Hey guys.

First question: what does my car have stock? UEL or equal length headers?

"EL" but an inefficient design compared to an aftermarket set - OBX, TWE etc.


Second: How difficult is it to install aftermarket headers?

Depends entirely on how rusted your nuts and bolts are. Headers are reasonably heavy items, but this is a one-person job with a good deep socket, breaker bar or impact wrench.


Third: Are they worth it? I'm debating between a high flow cat with eBay headers or high flow cat with a custom mid-pipe to hook up with the Stromung axle back.

Depends on if you want more rumble in the jungle, or more power. The aftermarket EL headers are more efficient, but they subdue the flat four rumble more. UEL headers bring this out more, because of the unequal exhaust runner lengths.

Hope that helps!

[JLav211]

Hmm, OK. Thanks for the further clarification.

I just got confirmation from eBay seller speedyracer that the headers he sells are direct bolt-ons.

Where's that damn tax return?!!