Header questions

Post by **Legacy777** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:32 pm

I've gone through a dozen or more threads on here regarding headers.

The consensus I've gotten is that for the stock turbo, keep the stock manifold & up-pipe. I definitely agree with this. When upgrading to a larger turbo, the line blurs a little as to what's better.

HKS & GP Moto seem to be the two bigger brand names out there in terms of headers that people have used. Those that have used these headers, or other headers for that matter. Have you measured the difference in port/tubing size between the stock header and the aftermarket ones?

I'm planning to keep the stock turbo initially, and once I've got engine managment decided, as well as which turbo to go with, I'll upgrade those components, and don't really want to go back and have to upgrade exhaust, etc.

Hardy, I think you mentioned in a recent thread there were headers for the SS that were good, and wouldn't raise the point at which boost comes on. What are these?

Any other suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:28 am

I'll second this request for information on headers.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:30 am

Sort of, What the headers supposedly do is raise the point where the turbo spools and gives it more top end. To me this sounds like a good idea since the vf11 will spool so easily and runs out of poof up top.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:56 pm

Makes sense, less exhaust pressure in larger pipes would spin the turbine slower but have the capability for higher overall flow for better top end. I guess we'd want to keep the stock preturbo setup when planning for a larger turbo, then...

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:15 pm

Hardy, not sure I follow what you're saying in regards to my questions..

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:57 pm

I was responding to this:

Legacy777 wrote: Hardy, I think you mentioned in a recent thread there were headers for the SS that were good, and wouldn't raise the point at which boost comes on. What are these?

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:14 pm

I still don't follow.

I asked

Is there any good header/uppipe combo that is good for the turbo legacy?

You responded

Yes, there is apparently! I'll report findings when I've tested it

You responded in this thread

Sort of, What the headers supposedly do is raise the point where the turbo spools and gives it more top end. To me this sounds like a good idea since the vf11 will spool so easily and runs out of poof up top.

What I'm looking for is a specific header brand name. You said you were testing some.

Also, when you say "raise the point where the turbo spools" are you mean the turbo will spool sooner or later?

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:30 pm

hmm, I thought I noted what headers they were. Ah well, they're the stock cast iron headers that come on some JDM Legacys and Imprezas. See this thread: http://www.rslibertyclub.org/forums/vie ... hp?t=15639

I think the consenus we came to was that they were only on first gen JDM legacys(manuals?), the first wrx/sti version, and select version two sti.

What I mean by raising where the turbo spools is in the rpm range. So later.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:02 pm

ok....thanks for the clarification.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:57 pm

I'll be installing some GPMoto headers on a friends stage-4 WRX.

Lots of high-output guys in the are have had good success with ported stock headers.

I'll ask the guys at TurboXS what they think when I get down there next.

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:00 am

Cool!

Thanks Phil. I appreciate it.

azn2nr · Post by **azn2nr** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 5:52 am

dont do it. im having mine taken out soon as possible.

free5ty1e · Post by **free5ty1e** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:07 pm

goin back to stock headers, Jason?

-K- · Post by **-K-** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:51 pm

The stock ones will take you far. I think the money would be better spent elsewhere on your car.

azn2nr · Post by **azn2nr** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 6:55 pm

yep, headers gave me so many problems one of which may have done my motor in. i just hope not. right after i put them in i started getting spike creep something wrong with boost. something i never had before and it took almost 2 seconds off my 1/4 mile time. in reality it was only .7 seconds but the first run was done in the rain with a set of tires that was missing a few rows of tread blocks. the second was in the sun with race tires so im estimating about 2 seconds.

dzx · Post by **dzx** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:24 pm

From what I have heard, the borla headers are really nice and keep the boxer sound. You can also find them for really cheap on nasioc. If your gonna keep the stock pipes, i'd probably remove some of the excess material inside of the pipes with a dremel or something to smooth out the flow. They are pretty rough on the inside.

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 1:00 pm

Okay how about this... I'm new to the world of turbo (been in an NA Legacy for about 5years) so bare with some questions that people may have heard already or are just naive in general.

1. In my club in Toronto, a couple of the guys mentioned that the WRX headers match up. Is that the case for the 2.2T or just the JDM 2.0T Legacy's?

2. would anyone think the stock '02+ WRX turbo back piping be less restrictive then the stock '93 piping?

3. does anyone have a link to a list of the turbo's that are compatible with our engines and their spool characteristics?

As for Borla, i've run their headers on my NA and i love it. Problem is if you buy them used, be careful, as earlier versions had welds that cracked very easily due to design (braces welded on would actually split)

dzx · Post by **dzx** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:21 pm

1. yes, wrx headers match up to the legacy.

3. not many turbos are compatible with the car due to the 90 degree inlet, check deadboltspeed, they have turbo's with 90 degree inlets that fit on the car. Also early jdm turbos with the 90 degree inlet will fit.

3. Apparently borla has fixed that problem since then, but i've heard that also.

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:24 am

Well I picked up a cermic coated borla header locally for $150. I couldn't turn them down at that price.

I'll probably install the stock manifold to see how the turbo spools, and then put on the borlas after I get a feel where boost comes on.

Here's pics
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... orlaheader

The headers included a parts sheet that has the pipe size. It's 1.625" pipe, and from what I can tell it's about 1.5" ID. The borlas are about 1.75" ID right at the exhaust port. I measured the stock manifold, and each port is 1.5" ID.

From looking at the header design, I would definitely say the exhaust gases are going to flow much better in the borla header, compared to stock.

Bane · Post by **Bane** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:51 am

i wouldn't doubt it, that's what they're designed for. With the ceramic coating heat won't be much of an issue to the engine bay, and should help spool faster then non-coated.

Plus, borla headers sound much throatier then the stock.

congrats... let me know how it works out.

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 2:25 am

Yeah I'll be sure to let everyone know how they are when I get them on.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:38 am

Are you going to drive with the stock on then switch to the borla?

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:41 pm

THAWA wrote:Are you going to drive with the stock on then switch to the borla?

Yeah, that's the plan, so I can try and determine any differences.

dzx · Post by **dzx** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 6:39 pm

Cool, post a review when you finish, 150 is a pretty good price.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 10:53 pm

I'm predicting less low end and more top.

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Header questions

Header questions