[Electric_Head]

So I've got about 10k miles on the new Subie and I'm looking to make some improvements. It's a 2006 2.5i Impreza. I'm going to be doing a full exhaust from headers back and looking for some input. Are equal length headers worth the $600 premium? I've been looking at Borla's headers, both of them are made from the same stainless steel alloy and have the same style bends to them, but the equal length headers cost about $850 as opposed to $250 for the regular 4-1 headers, they also use the same merger, could that extra $600 be better spent elsewhere(like in my gas tank)? So whats the benefit from getting the equal length over the regular headers?

[Jishory]

i dont think the couple hp is going to make as big of a difference as 600$ would elsewhere...

[Electric_Head]

Thats what I was thinking, ~$850 for equal length headers seems rediculous. I'm waiting on prices from local shops right now and see what they have.

[Alex B]

i agree with AJ. thats $600 better spent elsewhere

[tweakmonkey]

Definitely better spent elsewhere. The whole exhaust on that Impreza (non-turbo right?) isn't going to give a good HP boost for the cash. Maybe 10 HP at best.

IMO you're better off saving the money in a bank account until you can buy a performance car, something that starts with a V8 or turbo. Right now you're swimming against the current and it'll eat your wallet.

[JustinL]

I've heard tuned headers only make a difference on N/A engines. With a turbo/supercharger its more important to just get the exaust away as quick as possible.

[Electric_Head]

Originally Posted by Dan-T3D

Definitely better spent elsewhere. The whole exhaust on that Impreza (non-turbo right?) isn't going to give a good HP boost for the cash. Maybe 10 HP at best.

IMO you're better off saving the money in a bank account until you can buy a performance car, something that starts with a V8 or turbo. Right now you're swimming against the current and it'll eat your wallet.

I could afford an STI, but I drive about 100mi per day, opted for the N/A so I'm not throwing cash away on the gas and extra upkeep. Money wasn't the deciding factor on that decision.

I wasn't planning in working it anymore past exhaust/intake, suspension bushings, and coilovers. Looking to give it a little more in the top end considering the powerband levels out at around 3600rpm. From what i've been told an read, the exhaust on the Imprezas are complete dirt and the cause for the powerband to level out so early. I was wondering if I would be throwing away the cash on the equal length headers over the regular 4-1 headers, instinct said yes considering my application. Dyno with the regular 4-1 headers, high flow cat, and high flow cat-back, show around 13-15% increase in power on the 2.5 N/A imprezas, but I can't find any data with the equal length headers instead of the regular 4-1.

[tweakmonkey]

Is the car AWD? What's the stock HP?

I'd definitely say the equal length header won't help enough to justify the cost, by any means. Some cars with 500+ HP would barely benefit from equal length headers.

[Electric_Head]

Its got a Boxer 2.5L 4 Cyclinder. 173hp and 166lb-ft stock on the 06', AWD 50/50 center diff and I've got the 5spd.

It's a really nice car, very happy with it. Fun to drive around the country roads by me. The AWD will come in handy considering I live out in the boonies and sometimes it takes the road crew a little time before they get to all the roads.

[Alex B]

Originally Posted by JustinL

I've heard tuned headers only make a difference on N/A engines. With a turbo/supercharger its more important to just get the exaust away as quick as possible.

turbo application: true in a mild streetcar, not so much in a race-/high performance street-car. equal length turbo headers sacrifice some spool-up to aid in high rpm response and efficiency. that's desirable in, say, a drag racer where you need a solid high-rpm powerband.

Supercharger: basically same thing applies as an N/A engine. though the concept of tuned lengths for scavenging isn't so important since you're dealing with forced induction.

[tweakmonkey]

Yeah those are great cars and tear it up on auto-cross.

[Seax440Dodge]

agree with all above


$800 is UNGODLY expensive for headers, and it's NOT worth that for the measly horsepower/torque gain from being equal length vs non

put the extra cash you save elsewhere (maybe get your heads ported a little, gasket match and bowl blend is cheap OR relatively easy to do in your own garage)


Do these $800+ headers come with diamond studded mounting hardware or something?