Equal length or unequal length headers?

[Flat4_driver]

Does anyone have any solid info weather the boxer engine that's coming with the FT-86 is going to have equal or unequal length headers? Also lets assume that they come with equal length headers(since it still is a toyota and not a subaru). Would you purchase aftermarket unequal length headers?

[FT86-guy]

I can't stand the sound of unequal length headers. Plus its still a Toyota despite having a Subaru powertrain. There are other ways I can improve my low end power.

[car_crazy]

i like to think about it as a necessary evil. the sound isnt really that bad but the gains more than justify the sound. plus ill be able to pull of the line quicker than those people complaining about the sound.

[coop3422]

I personally like the sound of UEL. I thought EL gave better performance, could have swore I read that yest.

[Barbosa]

How much of the sound oculd really bother you inside the car?

[Steve French]

It doesn't bother me at all. I own a Subaru now and I kinda like the growl it has at low end. You only really notice it when you step on it anyways.

SF

[Flat4_driver]

I personally like the sound of UEL. I thought EL gave better performance, could have swore I read that yest.

It does. EL gives you better top end and improves power in the higher RPM range. At the same time UEL gives you more juice off the line. It gives you more responsive low end power in the lower rpm range.

How much of the sound oculd really bother you inside the car?

A lot. I rode in my friends modified STI on a 2 hour drive. I had a huge headache from the sound. Its a love it/hate it type of thing. Some people love the sound to death. While others can't stand to hear it for more than a few minutes at a time.

[coop3422]

[quote=Flat4_driver;2185]It does. EL gives you better top end and improves power in the higher RPM range. At the same time UEL gives you more juice off the line. It gives you more responsive low end power in the lower rpm range.

Well I prefer more juice off the line AND the sound of UEL so win win for me lol. My civic has fairly loud exhaust as it is, so it wouldn't be much of a change for me.

[car_crazy]

its not really how loud the sound is. its just the tone of the uel headers that usually puts people off. for me i dont really mind as long as i get better performance out of it. but for some people it will really sound like lawnmower.

[David Blaine]

its not really how loud the sound is. its just the tone of the uel headers that usually puts people off. for me i dont really mind as long as i get better performance out of it. but for some people it will really sound like lawnmower.

The tone is a deeper more resonant sound for sure. But with a stock exhaust, you can barely hear it. Personally I doubt I will notice either way.

Dave

[Flat4_driver]

The tone is a deeper more resonant sound for sure. But with a stock exhaust, you can barely hear it. Personally I doubt I will notice either way.

Dave

Thats the exact reason why I wanted to know. Because I will be putting a more free flowing exhaust on the car and I will hear it for sure.

[Paul]

The tone is a deeper more resonant sound for sure. But with a stock exhaust, you can barely hear it. Personally I doubt I will notice either way.

Dave

Don't think I would notice either, so no big deal for me.

[car_crazy]

it boils down to weather or not you will be modifying your car which most likely will include the exhaust. if you keep the stock exhaust the db levels should be low enough that you wont notice. but if you change the exhaust to something thats more louder then thats when the sound can become a nuisance.

[verlumpt]

I personally like the sound of UEL. I thought EL gave better performance, could have swore I read that yest.

Given dyno testing I did on the STS classed (years back) 2.5 RS we actually got better power in the middle and top of the powerband, however we gained torque through the entire rpm band going with an equal length TWE header over an UEL Borla. This was running everything else the same. We were not on the stock ECU however.

The RS didn't sound so great, but performance was there, which was all we cared about. Our muffler was likely a culprit, and yes, we still had to use the oe cat.

I'd like to see the FR-S have EL manifold (like some later model N/A Imprezas are starting to show up with), as with the right mufflers, it should actually sound good and be more 'true' to it's roots than a burbley Subaru. And that's coming from a die hard Subaru guy.

Thanks - Jon

[AE86]

By all means im fine with UEL header as a i kid i loved the Subaru Grumble and always will, its something that gives a flat 4 its life ! As for EL Headers it'll give it a less low end ruble and more of a Porche sound i would say.