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Old 06-13-2013, 11:50 AM   #1
Subarukenny d
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Default UEL Headers and Exhaust System

I want to get UEL headers but im not sure if I want to go with the headers or if I should leave my stock header and put a muffler on. I want to do both but unfortunately one has to come before the other. Should I do UEL headers and a stock muffler? (will it have a low throaty sound?) //OR// Should I do a muffler and leave my stock header on? If so what muffler should I go with? What did you guys do.
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Old 06-13-2013, 12:04 PM   #2
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Where in PA are you from?

I would do the catback 1st for the sound, as that's what I did for mine. I have a stromung catback and love it! I would definitely recommend one. Try boxer4racing.com to see if they can get one for you.

I also have the Borla header. THat added low-end torque and really pronounced the boxer rumble.
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Old 06-13-2013, 02:08 PM   #3
Subarukenny d
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Okay thanks alot, I'm from the Lehigh Valley area in pa. I have big plans for my subie, just got the momo steering wheel on just the other day.
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Old 06-13-2013, 02:52 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subarukenny d View Post
. I have big plans for my subie, just got the momo steering wheel on just the other day.



Catback I guess..I have a Borla UEL and Apexi N1. Sounds
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Old 06-13-2013, 03:52 PM   #5
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I was under the impression that UEL headers would not add any low end torque, but rather would shift the torque band higher, and add a bit of top end power. Also, doesn't the '01 legacy have UEL from the factory, so getting the rumble should just require a muffler. Larger diameter primaries are all that you will get with new UEL headers, which will increase the noise your exhaust makes and increase top end hp.
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Old 06-13-2013, 04:06 PM   #6
Subarukenny d
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How could I tell id my 01' Legacy has the uel headers stock? and I was looking at Magnaflow exhaust muffler. They sounded pretty good.
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Old 06-13-2013, 04:15 PM   #7
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Look at the exhaust manifolds.
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Old 06-13-2013, 09:01 PM   #8
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True, mine doesn't look any more special. I think I will go with the muffler first.
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Old 06-14-2013, 08:03 AM   #9
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kenny d... define big plans

saabaholic... you are talking about EL (equal-length) headers, as they move powerband higher in rpms. my dyno graphs show a gain of 18TRQ to the wheels with just the borla header. yes, the stock header is UEL, but a crappy version of one. definitely get the borla header. it's worth the price.

dyno... http://xcceleration.com/imp-gallery-...back.25.na.htm
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Old 06-14-2013, 11:13 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PA-Outback2000 View Post
kenny d... define big plans

saabaholic... you are talking about EL (equal-length) headers, as they move powerband higher in rpms. my dyno graphs show a gain of 18TRQ to the wheels with just the borla header. yes, the stock header is UEL, but a crappy version of one. definitely get the borla header. it's worth the price.

dyno... http://xcceleration.com/imp-gallery-...back.25.na.htm
My bad, I was under the impression that EL headers utilized the pressure waves created by the exhaust pulses to help draw the exhaust gasses out of the cylinders. This would result in an increase in torque depending on the size of the primaries, as the velocity of the exhaust gasses would vary with the size of the primaries, and determine what RPM range that torque boost would fall into. So for my particular case, where I have EL but larger primaries, I would see a slightly higher peak torque that occurred slightly higher in the RPM range, as well as a slightly higher peak HP in high RPM range from the larger diameter primaries and resultant better flow of exhaust gasses.

However, for UEL folks, they would not get the benefit of the harmonics in the headers, and would not see the same torque boost. They would still see a bit more high RPM HP from the increased exhaust flow.

Of course this is all just theory, and only a before/after comparison on a dyno will tell the whole story. Also, any additional mods (like a cat back cams or intake) will change the dynamics of the system.
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Old 06-14-2013, 12:33 PM   #11
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your logic is correct and my dynos show the results.

as for UEL, they gave my a nice low-end torque "surge" around 3000rpm in 2nd gear, which is where it should be/i like it.

i can't compare primary sizes since i don't know mine or yours.
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Old 06-14-2013, 12:52 PM   #12
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Any headers primaries benefit from pressure wave tuning, just only one or two cylinders at a time unless it's an EL design.
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Old 06-14-2013, 12:53 PM   #13
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Sorry to confuse, I meant larger than stock primaries, not larger than yours. I don't know either how the size of the CNT EL header primaries compares with the (i am assuming Borla or Borla Rep) UEL header primaries. I might have to look that up when I am not at work.
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Old 06-14-2013, 02:08 PM   #14
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there will be a difference between EL and UEL performance, no matter what. but there will also be a difference between using different pipe sizes within each type.

just found this... http://www.borla.com/products/imprez...rt__17183.html

that's the header on my car now.
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Old 06-14-2013, 10:40 PM   #15
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I found a nice muffler, a lot of guys are using magnaflow exhaust mufflers. For example I found the street series (#14832) muffler. They sound really good on subies and I think would be a neat addition to what I got. Thanks for all the information on the headers.

Mangaflow Muffler: http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/d...rtnumber=14832


Muffler Video:

Take a look and let me know what you guys think, even with stock headers it sounds good.
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Old 06-14-2013, 11:37 PM   #16
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I went on ebay and got a catback that has been fantastic. Shipped it cost me $80 and I got Borla UEL right after for $100 from a friend. You dont need an expensive exhaust so just look around =)

My exhaust now it's all ceramic coated so it is all flat black

Use headphones and HD for best sound
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Old 06-20-2013, 10:54 PM   #17
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for all you guys running headers, especially the Borla UEL, are you running the stock cat? I am running the borla UEL, tsudo HFC, and a 2 1/2" cat back on my rs and am getting codes (P2096 and P0420), as my rear o2 doesn't seem to be happy. What are you all doing to be code free?
I have an '05 2.5 RS.

Last edited by 05SubieRS; 06-20-2013 at 11:03 PM.
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Old 06-21-2013, 02:37 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 05SubieRS View Post
for all you guys running headers, especially the Borla UEL, are you running the stock cat? I am running the borla UEL, tsudo HFC, and a 2 1/2" cat back on my rs and am getting codes (P2096 and P0420), as my rear o2 doesn't seem to be happy. What are you all doing to be code free?
I have an '05 2.5 RS.
Stock cat. I have those codes too, but I just ignore it to be honest.
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Old 06-21-2013, 08:09 AM   #19
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try an o2 sensor spacer (spark plug spacers would work), which moves the sensor out of the exhaust a bit.

i was CEL free untill i added the borla header to the mix. i was running stromung catback and random technology high-flow cat before the header. once i got those codes, i put the spacer on and have been CEL free for 3-4 years.
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Old 06-21-2013, 08:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PA-Outback2000 View Post
try an o2 sensor spacer (spark plug spacers would work), which moves the sensor out of the exhaust a bit.

i was CEL free untill i added the borla header to the mix. i was running stromung catback and random technology high-flow cat before the header. once i got those codes, i put the spacer on and have been CEL free for 3-4 years.
Do not use an o2 spacer. read this to find out why:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...rear+o2+spacer
You can go into the ecu and disable the codes, or simply ignore them. They are cat efficiency codes.
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Old 06-21-2013, 04:18 PM   #21
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as my username here implies (PA-Outback2000),my car is a 2000, but thanks for the link.
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Old 06-21-2013, 06:14 PM   #22
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That info was posted in reference to 05SubieRS, who has a '05 Subaru 2.5RS, which has a newer ECU/fueling system that spacers cause problems with. Unfortunately, you did not pick up on this and recommended he use one, and I was correcting this oversight.
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Old 06-21-2013, 08:46 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RecoveringSaabaholic View Post
That info was posted in reference to 05SubieRS, who has a '05 Subaru 2.5RS, which has a newer ECU/fueling system that spacers cause problems with. Unfortunately, you did not pick up on this and recommended he use one, and I was correcting this oversight.
Correct! And I know that because in '05 for the RS, the ECU uses the rear sensor for more than just checking for a healthy cat, and using a spacer would mess up the fueling.

So... Given that... What is someone with an '05 to do?
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Old 06-21-2013, 10:32 PM   #24
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Download the open source tuning software on your laptop and buy a cable. Grab your rom and disable your codes. Reflash that rom to your car and done. That's what I did. Not having cruise and the flashing CEL got old pretty quick.
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Old 06-21-2013, 10:42 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by end_of_silence View Post
Download the open source tuning software on your laptop and buy a cable. Grab your rom and disable your codes. Reflash that rom to your car and done. That's what I did. Not having cruise and the flashing CEL got old pretty quick.
Good call. Seems like this is the only way to do it.
Where did I hear that disabling the p2096 was a bad idea?
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