Borla headers new design - GD

jaboyd · 07-09-2012, 08:23 PM

I recently cracked the Borla headers on my 05 STI, which has an open source dyno tune. I went back to Borla and found that the original slip fit UEL headers were no longer available for my car. A new UEL header, pn # 17217, replaced the old style cross pipe w/slip fit with a solid tube design, but with a corrugated section welded in on each tube on the drivers side. Most likely this change is to eliminate the stresses and tendency of the original design to crack at the collector.

I installed the new pipe and found that the car was down on power and sounded different. I questioned Borla and they said that there shouldn't be any change when replacing headers but could not directly address the effects of the design change on an engine tuned for the old style nor for the change in sound.

I have spoken with several tuners and their position is that any change in the tubes (length, diameter, or different sections within a tube) affect the tune of the specific header. They believe that the corrugated sections alter the flow/tune of the old UEL configuration changing the pulse frequency and thus altering the power delivery and sound.

The new headers have lost the UEL sound, which I'll miss, but when I retuned it the new design delivered a 3% hp gain, a 6% peak torque gain and actually expanded the torque curve 900 rpm with no other changes..... pretty impressive. I really like the power of the new headers but the exhaust sound is louder and less appealing.

One last comment, the new headers are not nearly as well made as the originals, substancially thinner (1/2 the weight) and the welds can best be described as splotchy. The tube attachment to the flanges is much less substancial than the originals and the flanges are less robust. I wonder if they're outsourcing these to China or elsewhere?

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elbertmurphy · 07-14-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaboyd

I recently cracked the Borla headers on my 05 STI, which has an open source dyno tune. I went back to Borla and found that the original slip fit UEL headers were no longer available for my car. A new UEL header, pn # 17217, replaced the old style cross pipe w/slip fit with a solid tube design, but with a corrugated section welded in on each tube on the drivers side. Most likely this change is to eliminate the stresses and tendency of the original design to crack at the collector.

I installed the new pipe and found that the car was down on power and sounded different. I questioned Borla and they said that there shouldn't be any change when replacing headers but could not directly address the effects of the design change on an engine tuned for the old style nor for the change in sound.

I have spoken with several tuners and their position is that any change in the tubes (length, diameter, or different sections within a tube) affect the tune of the specific header. They believe that the corrugated sections alter the flow/tune of the old UEL configuration changing the pulse frequency and thus altering the power delivery and sound.

The new headers have lost the UEL sound, which I'll miss, but when I retuned it the new design delivered a 3% hp gain, a 6% peak torque gain and actually expanded the torque curve 900 rpm with no other changes..... pretty impressive. I really like the power of the new headers but the exhaust sound is louder and less appealing.

One last comment, the new headers are not nearly as well made as the originals, substancially thinner (1/2 the weight) and the welds can best be described as splotchy. The tube attachment to the flanges is much less substancial than the originals and the flanges are less robust. I wonder if they're outsourcing these to China or elsewhere?

post some pics of the new headers i'm curious to see this new design. as for quality, borla is one of those companies that produce quality parts and that's why you're gonna pay a fortune. agency power and dc made quality copies of their headers as well. i have a a set of dc headers on my sti and they have a flex joint where the old slip joint used to be, but they still produce the rumble. if you want a set of the uel's with the slip joint get the agency power uel's.

soobaviator · 08-09-2012, 12:49 AM

Here You go:

The quality overall is good. I cleaned up the entries before putting them on my GTX35R EJ22 stroker and added some custom heat shielding.

-soobaviator

Jdub.csu · 08-09-2012, 11:40 AM

Those welds =\ yuck

Wasaab · 11-03-2012, 07:50 PM

I know it's only been a few months, but any issues with the header thus far?

Dakota D · 11-04-2012, 03:22 PM

i have these same new design headers i love them i definetly felt in an increase in low end with this header i freaking love it heres a link to my review of them http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2412364

Big Filthy · 04-06-2013, 02:22 AM

This is my 3rd post on these forums overall, all on these headers. Just trying to get a little active in the community. I also had a set that cracked. It was the new style with the flex joints. Borla did give me my money back. They cracked pretty fast (within a day) so i cant say what kind of power increase they gave but i am glad to hear that it was positive.

07-09-2012, 08:23 PM	#1
jaboyd Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (1) Member#: 247304 Join Date: May 2010 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Knoxville, TN Vehicle: 2011 STI WR Blue	Borla headers new design - GD I recently cracked the Borla headers on my 05 STI, which has an open source dyno tune. I went back to Borla and found that the original slip fit UEL headers were no longer available for my car. A new UEL header, pn # 17217, replaced the old style cross pipe w/slip fit with a solid tube design, but with a corrugated section welded in on each tube on the drivers side. Most likely this change is to eliminate the stresses and tendency of the original design to crack at the collector. I installed the new pipe and found that the car was down on power and sounded different. I questioned Borla and they said that there shouldn't be any change when replacing headers but could not directly address the effects of the design change on an engine tuned for the old style nor for the change in sound. I have spoken with several tuners and their position is that any change in the tubes (length, diameter, or different sections within a tube) affect the tune of the specific header. They believe that the corrugated sections alter the flow/tune of the old UEL configuration changing the pulse frequency and thus altering the power delivery and sound. The new headers have lost the UEL sound, which I'll miss, but when I retuned it the new design delivered a 3% hp gain, a 6% peak torque gain and actually expanded the torque curve 900 rpm with no other changes..... pretty impressive. I really like the power of the new headers but the exhaust sound is louder and less appealing. One last comment, the new headers are not nearly as well made as the originals, substancially thinner (1/2 the weight) and the welds can best be described as splotchy. The tube attachment to the flanges is much less substancial than the originals and the flanges are less robust. I wonder if they're outsourcing these to China or elsewhere? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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08-09-2012, 12:49 AM	#3
soobaviator NASIOC Supporter Member Sales Rating: (20) Member#: 115070 Join Date: May 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Northern VA Vehicle: 2002 2.1L 20G WRX 08 Audi Q7 4.2 Prm	Here You go: The quality overall is good. I cleaned up the entries before putting them on my GTX35R EJ22 stroker and added some custom heat shielding. -soobaviator

08-09-2012, 11:40 AM	#4
Jdub.csu NASIOC Supporter Member Sales Rating: (2) Member#: 283784 Join Date: May 2011 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 2012 SWP WRX HATCH White	Those welds =\ yuck

11-03-2012, 07:50 PM	#5
Wasaab Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (7) Member#: 305512 Join Date: Dec 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: No.VA Vehicle: 2005 Saab 9-2x CGM	I know it's only been a few months, but any issues with the header thus far?

11-04-2012, 03:22 PM	#6
Dakota D Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (5) Member#: 293894 Join Date: Sep 2011 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Billings,Mt Vehicle: 2004 Subaru wrx silver	i have these same new design headers i love them i definetly felt in an increase in low end with this header i freaking love it heres a link to my review of them http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2412364

04-06-2013, 02:22 AM	#7
Big Filthy Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (0) Member#: 351371 Join Date: Mar 2013 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Front Royal Vehicle: 2006 WRX STI WRB	This is my 3rd post on these forums overall, all on these headers. Just trying to get a little active in the community. I also had a set that cracked. It was the new style with the flex joints. Borla did give me my money back. They cracked pretty fast (within a day) so i cant say what kind of power increase they gave but i am glad to hear that it was positive.