Today I installed a set of the "old", "first generation" (read...not new, but used) Borla headers on my 2000 RS.

First, the install...

a snap! Uh...in more ways than one. Broke a bolt, but was able to deal with it. Otherwise...easy as pie

Second, the fit...

What everyone says is true, the first gen. Borla headers do rub underneath the car. When launching hard-ish from a stop, or turning left hard-ish, I get a banging noise. Gonna have to take 'em in to have that fixed, pretty annoying!

Third, the performance...

AWESOME...great sound (HOWEVER, may not be for everyone!) Very attention getting, very "V-8 with a cam" sounding. Rumble rumble...pulse pulse. Throb throb!! I am using the Borla exhaust and cat-back too. Performance gains? Oh yes there is! Pulls nice and strong low-mid range now...feels great...pulls from higher gears at low RPM very well...did I mention the sound? Rumble rumble!...picks up speed very nicely...highly recomended (IF you want to sound like a V-8!!)

Other engine/speed mods (just so people know, and don't ask http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif)
-pulley
-throttle body intake with custom fiberglass cold air box (pics coming soon!)
-Borla universal can
-cat-back pipe
-suspension, sway bars, yada yada.

If the NEW Borla header resolves that annoying banging, and you want a real aggressive sound...get 'em. Great for mid range punch!

D. Neil Crawford

Yep, had a "first gen" set on mine too and the sound with the Stromung Dual tip was definitely not 4cyl. (When JC Sports started it up in their garage I couldn't believe it was the same car. So deep, so V-8.) But I got more looks from the banging goin' on underneath my car than the sound. A good set of STI motor mounts probably would have taken care of that. I definitely will the get new ones when the money situation is better.

Shawn

I have built a forced cold air box underneath the hood scoop on my 2000 RS, the power gains are very noticable. My problems have been with oxygen sensors failing in about 8k miles. I have 18k miles on my RS and I'm going in for my second sensor and possilbly second engine control unit. I'm curious if anyone else has similar problems with sensor failure on 2000 RS models.

spshultz:

So you didn't try the mounts? I have heard a ton of positive response about those but nothing about them with the headers vs. rubbing. That was probably going to be my next mod. Did you do anything to get rid of the rubbing?

MaddMaxx:

I've be running a fiberglass cold air box for 3-4 with no problems what-so-ever (other than my crapy design for the first model). I haven't heard about about that O2 deal...def. gonna keep an eye out on that.

A friend of mine felt the header is way too loud from the outside of the car (but he drives a Miata...apples and oranges http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif) but loves the idle and say it sounds great below 3K rpm. Too much sound for him...but since the Impreza looks it... http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif

D. Neil Crawford

Was there any fear of the headers leaking? I had that problem on my old car. Installed the headers, and it sprung a leak that same day. At the gasket of course. Does it come with steel or copper gaskets? It too had the problem of the headers rubbing, during hard breaking, and hard right turns. I'm dying to get my headers in from Trey. On my old car, it was one of the best mods. If you are getting a S/C, I wouldn't recommend the headers. From what I understand, it kills some much needed pressure to form some nice boost. Check with someone who has the setup to verify.

dcrawford,
Borla exhaust with headers, no wonder it rumbles http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif I plan on getting the latest header design for my Sube in the spring. BTW, I'm assuming that they'd add some sound even with a relatively quiet exhaust (i.e. one with a resonator)?

-Shawn

Hey Spshultz Borla has a life time warranty, doesn't it. If it's the case you could probably get them traded for the new version. Only cost you shipping to send back the old ones!!

SnapperHead - "Losing boost" with a supercharger due to a low restriction exhaust does not mean you are losing power. With any sort of forced induction, the boost developed is dependent on how much the air "stacks up" inside the engine. If you have a freer-flowing exhaust, the air can flow through the engine better, so not as much air gets backed up -> lower indicated boost. You're still pushing as much, if not more, air through the engine, and therefore you're making as much, if not more, power.

With a turbo car, this effect isn't really seen (although it is there) because the freer-flowing exhaust results in the turbo spinning up better -> higher indicated boost. The better turbo performance overcomes the effect I talked about above.

Pat Olsen
'99 Legacy 2.5GT (RIP), blown and intercooled '89 Mustang GT

SnapperHead:

So far, no leaks. When I..ahem..first tried to do the install I couldn't get a bolt on the cat off (the one I eventually broke) and ended up driving it for a day with the stock header still on, and a nasty leak. Sounded AWFUL (have to say it, like a Civic with crap exhaust http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif)...anyway...I used the stock RS gaskets (look like steel) and there are no apperant leaks. I say that 'cause after having the leak on the stock headers, I don't hear the same sound on the Borlas. I am gonna check on 'em more today to verify. Oh yeah, going for the NA beast http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif

S.Damery:

Rumbles yes! Oh yes rumbles...like mad. The difference between stock header and Borla is so extremely "night and day" that it HAS to make a noticeable difference, no matter what can you have. Damn, it would probably be noticeable on the stock set up!

I really aught to get a sound recording of these some how...I get the feeling I will really blow some of you away with the sound. Borla + Borla makes for one hell of an exhaust system. Keep on bugging me about it...and I will get on it faster. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif

D. Neil Crawford

I had them taken off that same day because they were hitting really hard. I was afraid they would crack a weld within a couple of days. Had I known about the life time warranty thing I would have kept them... damn!

Shawn