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Old 05-06-2007, 12:48 PM   #1
Cdn 2.5i
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Default eBay headers - a2rinc vs speedy-racer

I'm eager to buy headers for my '05 Legacy 2.5i wagon. Other than the Borlas, there are the "eBay replicas". I've seen pretty good feedback on the a2rinc units - but just noticed that there is another seller out there as well - but a couple of people have commented that the fitment is not perfect.

Does anyone here have experience with these?

Here's a link for reference: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Subaru-97-04-Impr...QQcmdZViewItem

The price is right. I was going to wait for a2rinc's v.2 which is supposed to be out soon, but I don't know if I can wait that long
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Old 05-06-2007, 01:29 PM   #2
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They look about the same. I'd say go for it.
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Old 05-06-2007, 01:56 PM   #3
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I got mine from speedyracer, they didn't fit very well like you described and it took A LOT of muscle but I eventually got em on.
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Old 05-06-2007, 02:08 PM   #4
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I'd be curious of the difference in build quality.
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Old 05-06-2007, 03:02 PM   #5
Cdn 2.5i
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Johnson View Post
I got mine from speedyracer, they didn't fit very well like you described and it took A LOT of muscle but I eventually got em on.
Do you think yours just got bent somehow? What exactly didn't fit - the spacing between the two sides of the motor? eg you had to spread them apart or push back together? Once on, they OK? Sorry for all the questions, just want to know what's potentially in store for me...

thanks
Andrew
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Old 05-06-2007, 05:10 PM   #6
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My header from A2inc didn't fit perfectly either, but I pushed them in a little got it bolted, and no problems since(6 months).

These "look" identical to A2rinc's..
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Old 05-06-2007, 05:18 PM   #7
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any header that doesnt fit almost perfect is a gamble imo...

just make sure that any header you buy doesnt have the uppipe flange... always get one with a built in uppipe... ive experienced way too much trouble with those flanges...
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Old 05-06-2007, 05:21 PM   #8
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Since when do N/A cars have an up-pipe?
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Old 05-06-2007, 06:31 PM   #9
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I'd be extremely surprised if two different companies are producing identical Borla knock-off headers themselves. I'm sure they're produced in the same place (in China) and just marketed on Ebay by two different vendors.
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Old 05-06-2007, 07:19 PM   #10
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Hey Andrew
Let me know if you end up buying a header...I have been passively looking for one to increase the noise my 2.5i makes Shoot me a PM if you get one installed...it might be worth a look, or a trip to Victoria for me
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Old 05-06-2007, 08:22 PM   #11
Cdn 2.5i
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Quote:
Originally Posted by semaj View Post
Hey Andrew
Let me know if you end up buying a header...I have been passively looking for one to increase the noise my 2.5i makes Shoot me a PM if you get one installed...it might be worth a look, or a trip to Victoria for me
I'm moving to Ottawa by the end of the month - so debating whether or not to order as I'm afraid they might not arrive in time...
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Old 05-06-2007, 11:09 PM   #12
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I got mine from A2R inc.. headers are great.. no problems at all.. also.. they were in fact made in china..
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Old 05-06-2007, 11:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdn 2.5i View Post
Do you think yours just got bent somehow? What exactly didn't fit - the spacing between the two sides of the motor? eg you had to spread them apart or push back together? Once on, they OK? Sorry for all the questions, just want to know what's potentially in store for me...

thanks
Andrew

Like (I'll try to explain it the best I can), if you line it up with the block on one side the other side was about 1/4"-1/2" off. And when I was finally able to line both sides up there was NO way it was mating with the stock cat section (that was still bolted on to the car). I went on RS25 and was told to tighten the cat section first (loosely) and do the sides ever so slightly... sure enough it worked but took a little while. I remember a lot of sweat went in to that install, but boy was it worth the sound. Power-smower, the boxer sound is fantastic.
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Old 05-07-2007, 02:22 AM   #14
Cdn 2.5i
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Olsen View Post
I'd be extremely surprised if two different companies are producing identical Borla knock-off headers themselves. I'm sure they're produced in the same place (in China) and just marketed on Ebay by two different vendors.
Yah, I'm thinking they're the same now too. a2rinc sold out their stock, the last set went for $285, and are talking about a version II... I can't wait and don't want to pay more so I think I may just go with the speedyracer units...

The fitment issues don't sound too bad. Again, when factoring in the price, a little elbow grease is reasonable I guess.

semaj - these units won't bolt up to your cats/midpipe I don't think, assuming the '06 Impreza is same as '06 Legacy - which came with equal length headers and necessitated a change in the midpipe.... per this thread at legacygt.com
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Old 05-07-2007, 03:00 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cdn 2.5i View Post
semaj - these units won't bolt up to your cats/midpipe I don't think, assuming the '06 Impreza is same as '06 Legacy - which came with equal length headers and necessitated a change in the midpipe.... per this thread at legacygt.com
Yeah, I'm aware of the extra work involved...meh, some custom piping aint so bad
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Old 05-07-2007, 08:46 AM   #16
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maybe A2R is using a different name to sell the v-1's? again, I sent another e-mail to mark @ a2r to see whats up
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Old 05-07-2007, 09:11 AM   #17
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i bought mine from A2R an they fit fine and the quality seemed good. last time i talked to mark, there was going to be an increase of price, but still alot cheaper then the borla's...
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Old 05-07-2007, 09:25 AM   #18
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My A2Rs were a little tight to fit, but I didn't tighten anything up until I had all the bolts in place and it went just fine. I did have to put a little outward pressure on one of the flanges that bolts to the head, but it was fairly easy to do. The welds and bends looked fine to me when I unpacked it, and it's been working fine for a few months. I've already removed it and replaced it once to clearance it a little where my Addco swaybar was rubbing. No problems, sounds great.
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Old 05-07-2007, 10:34 AM   #19
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so has anybody actually used the ones from speedyracer? some reviews would be good
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Old 05-07-2007, 10:53 AM   #20
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i just bought some from speedyracer ill let you know how it goes
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Old 05-07-2007, 12:42 PM   #21
RS Guy1513
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i'm starting to get impatient...i think i'm probably going to end up buying the speedyracer ones...hope they work out ok
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Old 05-07-2007, 03:34 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RS Guy1513 View Post
so has anybody actually used the ones from speedyracer? some reviews would be good
Read my 2 previous posts.
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Old 05-07-2007, 07:17 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Major Johnson View Post
Read my 2 previous posts.
my bad man...looks like all is well...just ordered some. thanks for the info
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Old 05-07-2007, 08:20 PM   #24
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Yeah they're borla knockoff's.

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea...ighlight=borla
Scroll down the page where I compare the original vs. these - I happened to have had both at the same time when I was still deciding what headers to install.

I had fitment problems too, the catpipe's hanger didn't line up exactly with the original bolthole after the header was installed; I ended up using a smaller bolt with a nut on it to secure the hanger.
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Old 05-07-2007, 09:56 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RS Guy1513 View Post
my bad man...looks like all is well...just ordered some. thanks for the info
keep us updated with the progress (install, problems, success etc.)!

explanations along with pictures and videos as well! thanks.
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