borla header review

[Dakota D]

hey all so I purchased a borla header.
the quality and fitment was great welds look good as well i didn't have any problems with the install.
although i think if your new at cars this might be a bit of pain.hardest part i would say is getting the old header to up pipe bolts off. and i would suggest spraying pb blaster on exhaust bolts and nuts anytime your removing any part of the exhaust system it makes the job alot easier.

id also highly reccomend getting new gaskets as well.
butt dyno says its making more power.
defiantly feels like i gained some torque also i noticed it spooled sooner felt good up top as well im sure it will be even better after i have my tuner adjust the tune
this is an uel header i think it was very worth it.im happy with my purchase
now to pics!!!!

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[Chandy69]

Hey any feedback since you installed them?!

[Dakota D]

Hi there i love this header low to mid i noticed alot more power top end was even improved id definetly reccomend this header

[neversummerman]

Hey, quick question, I'm a bit confused what the bung is for in the header? Also, there is a bung in my TXS up pipe, I don't know what that is for either. I know that one is for an EGT and one is for the stock 02 sensor (I presume). It looks like you have one or the other installed in your header, but which is which?

[blk05wrx]

Originally Posted by neversummerman

Hey, quick question, I'm a bit confused what the bung is for in the header? Also, there is a bung in my TXS up pipe, I don't know what that is for either. I know that one is for an EGT and one is for the stock 02 sensor (I presume). It looks like you have one or the other installed in your header, but which is which?

O2 goes in the header, the temperature probe goes in the up-pipe.

[Chandy69]

What a mission I had installing this damn header with a grimmspeed up-pipe!

The area between the flex portion if the up-pipe and Flange of the Borla didn't allow for it to go in easy AT ALL!!!

I have to grind down the top of the Borla flange a very good amount to get it on while using zip ties to bend the grimmspeed up-pipe away!

I did this all with drive up ramps so my space was def limited but that with getting the gasket to stay was a nightmare.. Nothing impossible took me an extra hr of problem solving.

I'm happy to report that the Borla is installed and zero leaks!

Anyone else go back and to a 1/4 turn a week later... I feel like through the heat cycles it might loosen up as I saw in my gaskets that u did have leaks.. I brake cleaners and wire brushed my current gaskets and reused them (oem) less then 1 year of use.

Lastly the mating of header to up pipe was NOT amazing it pinched in one side and gapped on the other if I had the time I would pull the turbo and make it perfect... I was beat from just trying to get it in...

All n all it's a decent header and with no leaks on my car the power gain is so amazing I've started to pop off IC hoses so I'm now trouble shooting that... Broke a t bolt clamp already

Here are some pics for comparison old version to new version of the Borla's

Cheers,
Chuck III

[neversummerman]

Originally Posted by blk05wrx

O2 goes in the header, the temperature probe goes in the up-pipe.

Hey, thanks. I appreciate it. You wouldn't believe it, but all the companies that I have contacted said that both of them are for the stock o2 sensor(s), even though there is only one. Thanks again

[blk05wrx]

Originally Posted by neversummerman

Hey, thanks. I appreciate it. You wouldn't believe it, but all the companies that I have contacted said that both of them are for the stock o2 sensor(s), even though there is only one. Thanks again

No problem. Here is a good thread that shows the location of the front o2 sensor. I just changed mine on Friday. The temperature sensor is not needed if you run an aftermarket up-pipe. The cobb stage 2 tune will eliminate the code. I've been without one for years b/c I have an STI up-pipe.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1839895

Good review of the header, I'm sure it a quality piece. I've had their exhaust on my car for 8 Chicago winters! I'm still nervous about any aftermarket header though since in general I only hear about them cracking and it seems like the install is a pita.

[Big Filthy]

PLEASE don't install those headers on your vehicle. That Subie looks really nice and i would hate to see it ruined by some Borla Junk. I got a set of those chinese made pieces of S*#! and they blew out right at the flex joint about one day after I had them installed at a professional shop. It just so happens that my turbocharger was bad just after that as well. Borla gave me back my money but refused to think that their thin walled crap caused problems with the turbo. Their tech guy is a liar, was rude and because of him i believe his company is dishonest. The picture online is not what you receive BTW. I dont believe they show those flex joints on their webpage but its been awhile since I have looked. Just a heads up my brother... those things will provide you hours of disappointment.

[Dakota D]

I'm sorry to hear yours didn't work out for you: ( mine however have been flawless I wonder if there was a bad batch or something

[Chandy69]

Def a bad batch

I have 3 sets of headers in my garage 2 with issues and 1 came in the mail this week

I plan on welding up the newest set to prevent any issues for when I install them

PICTURES TO COME

[Chandy69]

Also big filthy is full of it


He has 1 post ever in NASIOC

They really are not that bad..

Lets see some of his pics I bet he hit somethnf

[Dakota D]

Agreed need pics, every company has bad batches once in awhile,I don't think borla is a bad brand at all based on my experience

[imma_stocker]

Originally Posted by Big Filthy

It just so happens that my turbocharger was bad just after that as well. Borla gave me back my money but refused to think that their thin walled crap caused problems with the turbo. Their tech guy is a liar, was rude and because of him i believe his company is dishonest.

Cuz a cracked header will damage a turbo How do you know the header caused unrelated damage and not the shop you paid to install them?

Seriously man, you just sound like a whiney puss. Can't even install headers on your own Considering how your entire post reads you were probably assinine to their employees.

[Big Filthy]

Apologies if i sounded like a whiner there. Not my intent. I wish everyone good luck with them. I just did not have any luck. They seriously blew out in the first few hours of owning them. I often times do much of my own work but don't have a lift so I was able to purchase some lift time at the local shop and we did it when we put my coil overs in. That turbo issue could have been from anything, but i did not have any problems with it until after those headers. When I spoke to Phil Grabow at Element he mentioned that it might have been the cause as well. the headers were installed at Epic in Fayetteville NC? any news on them. I think its force fed now.