74 replies to this topic

[AussieTemplar]

Hey guys,

Went to the muffler shop where I got my sports exhaust done. I'm not 100% happy with the note of my exhaust, it's definitely beefy, but lacking in that real Subaru growl. I mentioned UEL Headers and a cat back exhaust and the bloke reckons he could do it all installed for $650. How does that sound? I wasn't sure what was happening as he said he could make the headers himself, I didn't think that was possible. Whats the go? Cheers.

[Scuba-Roo]

The headers are just bits of pipe shaped around the motor welded to some flanges, any exhuast shop shouldn't have much trouble making that.


Pretty sure i got quoted like 300-400 for the UEL headers from an exhuast shop when i was after some a few years back, and another 300-250 for the piping seems okay.


My current set-up is the UEL headers and an xforce diff back muffler, everything else is stock. My car sounded what your describing until i fitted the UEL headers.

[RX25SE]

He could make the headers as they are simple.

The tricky part is making the primary and secondary pipes the correct lenghts to suit the timing of the exhaust pulses.

I would buy a set of UELs.

[AussieTemplar]

The headers are just bits of pipe shaped around the motor welded to some flanges, any exhuast shop shouldn't have much trouble making that.


Pretty sure i got quoted like 300-400 for the UEL headers from an exhuast shop when i was after some a few years back, and another 300-250 for the piping seems okay.


My current set-up is the UEL headers and an xforce diff back muffler, everything else is stock. My car sounded what your describing until i fitted the UEL headers.

He could make the headers as they are simple.

The tricky part is making the primary and secondary pipes the correct lenghts to suit the timing of the exhaust pulses.

I would buy a set of UELs.

Cheers guys. Would there be any difference in sound if I just got UEL and not the entire cat back? Would it be best to get cat back as well UEL or will UEL alone be alright? Not really looking for performance, just a sweet sound.

[RX25SE]

If you want that boxer note, you will need UELs.

[BigWillieStyles]

I was under the impression that aftermarker headers actually remove the subaru growl? I guess it would depend on the design.

What size piping did you get and what type of muffler did you get put on?

[RX25SE]

I was running UELs with an oval muffler of some sort and a straight through centre pipe.
Waaay too loud. Lasted less than a week.

Now I have the same system but with the OEM pipe running from cat to diff.
Still has that boxer note but at a more respectable volume. Still too loud and(but I am an old fart) sounds a bit too like a WRX for my liking.

There is a very slight improvement in top end power, but were talking n/a here so not much to be expected.

Id be curious to try tuned equal length.

[Scuba-Roo]

I was running UELs with an oval muffler of some sort and a straight through centre pipe.
Waaay too loud. Lasted less than a week.

Now I have the same system but with the OEM pipe running from cat to diff.
Still has that boxer note but at a more respectable volume. Still too loud and(but I am an old fart) sounds a bit too like a WRX for my liking.

There is a very slight improvement in top end power, but were talking n/a here so not much to be expected.

Id be curious to try tuned equal length.

Seems i have the same set-up as you!

Although i didnt notice any difference in power or response to the engine, did get slightly better fuel consumption though, but then that could even be to different fuels.

ONLY thing's i would do different is heat wrap my UEL headers, and get a small resonator put in my centre piping, As mine is a little droany on the highway. But i've been through plenty of RBT's, been in the same spot as all the local hoon's and never had anything said to me about my exhuast

eBay US had a few EL headers for NA's from what i can remember, and xforce make some, but $700...fark dat!

[AussieTemplar]

Thanks guys. Might just go get some UEL made up and installed and go from there.. next step being full cat back.

[aekOne]

unequal = rumble
tuned = no/less rumble

on an n/a the performance difference is minute to nil so which ever way you you'll be right.

on a turbo you will get performance gains from going tuned length but will obviously still lose the boxer rumble.

tuned length headers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IhLi7uKhEc&feature=related

uneven length headers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-80U4r5iUA

I was under the impression that aftermarker headers actually remove the subaru growl?

The majority of after market n/a headers are unequal to make them sound more like a wrx.

[AussieTemplar]

Yep, my exhaust note sounds almost exactly like that first video, and I want my exhaust to sound like the second video. Looks like i'll definitely be picking up some UEL headers soon. Cheers guys.

[aekOne]

do it mate! you wont regret it

[Alex]

Are you on a budget?



Why not go to a set of Gen1 NA headers?


Factory UEL.

Will give you that sound you're after when mated with your existing exhaust.


And won't cost you the earth. If you hunt around, you could find them for cheap.


Power difference between factory and aftermarket? I honestly doubt you'd be able to tell the difference! And NA's aren't performance cars to be worried about a couple of kw anyways!

You're simply after the sound!

[Sam]

Are you on a budget?



Why not go to a set of Gen1 NA headers?


Factory UEL.

Will give you that sound you're after when mated with your existing exhaust.


And won't cost you the earth. If you hunt around, you could find them for cheap.


Power difference between factory and aftermarket? I honestly doubt you'd be able to tell the difference! And NA's aren't performance cars to be worried about a couple of kw anyways!




Will these gen 1 NA headers fit to my NA 2.5 L outback?
You're simply after the sound!

[AussieTemplar]

Are you on a budget?



Why not go to a set of Gen1 NA headers?


Factory UEL.

Will give you that sound you're after when mated with your existing exhaust.


And won't cost you the earth. If you hunt around, you could find them for cheap.


Power difference between factory and aftermarket? I honestly doubt you'd be able to tell the difference! And NA's aren't performance cars to be worried about a couple of kw anyways!

You're simply after the sound!

Cheers Alex, that sounds like a great idea. I won't run into any issues will I? I'm not really looking for performance but I don't really want any significant decreases, I won't run into that issue with the gen1 headers will I?

[aekOne]

no issues mate. gen 1's were the best sounding oem headers made imo

[Josh 95LIB]

will the gen1 headers bolt straight up to my gen2?

[Sam]

no issues mate. gen 1's were the best sounding oem headers made imo

Aek will these headers fit my obk? If not are you aware of which ones will? Cheers mate