FlyingLow Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 The car: 2005 5MT GT sedan. Current mods: eh, stock. Yeah, so a few weeks ago I stumbled upon Boostjunkie's thread on the headers with integrated upipe. Figured why not give it a shot. So I got the package last week... and decided to throw it on Sunday morning. The install went smoothly even just with a jack and laying on my back I was able to remove the stock manifold, downpipe, upipe and all corresponding heat shields then install the new header with upipe in under 4 hours. And that was with waiting for my buddy to bring me an 02 sensor socket. I'd say if you know how to spin a wrench nobody should be afraid of this mod...it's just all nuts and bolts really. So now to the review... First problems I encountered... After tightening up the last heatshield bolt I was really only worried about one thing...leaks!! So, I crossed my finger and started the motor. No leaks!! BUT...I'm not in the clear yet. After a few minutes of idleing it starts smoking like crazy! So I take a look and it appears I must have bumped the valve cover on the half moon and it is leaking very slightly from that back side and dripping right on to my new shiny upipe! Oh well......I ran out of time, so now Langston Subaru has it and they are putting new gaskets in it as I sit here at work with my motorcycle providing transportation. Ok, enough of the bad, now the good... You can definitely hear it spool differently. I wouldn't say it's very much louder, just a different sound, maybe more "higher pitched" I'd say. It definitely spools faster, very noticeable reduction in turbo lag which makes me happy. And cruising on the highway at speeds of 60 - 80 in 5th gear the power is right there as soon as you look at the pedal. So, cliffnotes: On my stock engine, installed Megan Racing headers with integrated upipe... Love the reduced turbo lag....more power in lower rpms....great on highway. Install wasn't bad...everything lined up perfectly no problems at all. Just gotta deal with that mysterious oil leak! I'll keep you informed on the oil leak as I should be picking it up from the dealer today. If anyone has any questions on the install or the headers and upipe feel free to ask! And yes, I know.....ttiwwp......they are coming....I forgot my camera at my apartment! Pics will be up tonight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 What's a "half-moon"? Oh, and were you able to re-install the plastic splash shield? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingLow Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 The "half moon" part is just a description of the shape of the back of the valve cover on the passenger side right above the upipe. I hear that is a common location for a leak on these engines and is referred to as the half moon . I just can't believe that just by bumping it would cause it to leak the way it is.... The splash gaurd...yes, I was able to reinstall that after removing the engine oil filter cover. The pipes come a little too close to the gaurd but luckily it is right where that cover is so I didn't have to physically cut anything, just remove that little door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boostjunkie Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks for the review FlyingLow! That little "half moon" can be quite a pain. I personally haven't had a problem with it in my installs, but have heard of others having issues. Glad you are enjoying the headers, and hope you get the oil leak resolved soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyd2005 Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks for the review. Team23jordan said that the heat from the header melted the plastic cover for the oil filter. Apparently, it's a common phenomenon for headers in general. Can you let us know how yours fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingLow Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 My pleasure gents... The oil cover DEFINITELY contacts the header pipes. It WILL melt the cover if you do not remove it!! (Don't ask me how I know haha..) But it is easily removed without any cutting or modification to the whole gaurd assembly. When I get home this evening I will post pictures of this as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legasee Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 +1 for thanks write-up and good guidance In Taiwan now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasopoliS Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 The MR headers are a great deal... but the only thing I don't like is the 4-1 transition. It looks to short and abrupt to me. Boostjunkie... do you know how the transition is made at the collector? Are the pipes cut to meet like they do in the right-most image below? Coated and wrapped headers are the only way I would go.... uncoated and unwrapped lose too much heat which is not ideal. http://www.cobbtuning.com/tech/images/ex-collector1.gifhttp://www.cobbtuning.com/tech/images/ex-collector2.gif either way these are a great deal for what you get. Just asking questions about the product, not judging it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbluelb Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks for thw writeup. Look forward to pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingLow Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 Ok, so here it is... Just got off the phone with the dealer and he says it's definitely the valve cover gasket that needs to be replaced and he says it's a rather lengthy job....like 2-3 hours!! The thing leaks so bad that I can't just go get it and bring it home and do it myself, so I'm basically just going to bend over and let them rape me on that one. Oh well, you win some and you lose some... On to the pictures... Here is the product... http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l147/cjk190/5ea61d24.jpg Here's a before... http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l147/cjk190/3dd0467c.jpg Here's an after... http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l147/cjk190/47e05380.jpg And a pic of the collectors... http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l147/cjk190/e3354715.jpg I was going to take more pics of the splash gaurd and post them but since my car is still up on the rack at the dealer that'll have to wait til later... If you want any other pics or descriptions feel free to ask and I'll post as soon as I can. Thanks. Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention....that new header and upipe combined probably weighs less than the stock upipe alone honest to God that stocker and the stock manifold are extremely heavy!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBlueGT Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Thanks for the review. Team23jordan said that the heat from the header melted the plastic cover for the oil filter. Apparently, it's a common phenomenon for headers in general. Can you let us know how yours fair. My headers aren't near as close to the plastic cover as yours (iON header/UP), everything installed nice. My plastic try did start to melt, and that was in the winter. I say get the header coated, mkaes more power, spools faster too. Full tune of 68HTA, KSTech 73 MAF, Racer X FMIC and ID1000s................by the DataLog Mafia!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasopoliS Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 were you able to get at all the header bolts easily? My EL headers block at least 1 bolt of the 3 on each side. Hard even with a universal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingLow Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 I needed a swivel socket for the driver's side head, for the inside nut. All the others required just normal deep well socket. I was really amazed how easy this install was. Stuff basically just fell off. I read a lot of horror stories on removing the upipe but really had no problem with this car. (Well that is if you forget about the oil leak which is a different thing all together... ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbluelb Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 So does melting your oil filter cover create any concerns? What else under the car is subject to damage from a header install? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasopoliS Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I bet those headers cool off faster than that filter. SS headers get cool unbelievably quick - I can grab onto mine minutes after running the engine hard. But that is the opposite of what you want on a turbo application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSiWRX Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 So does melting your oil filter cover create any concerns? Actually, I'd be more worried about how much heat is being transferred to the engine-oil from the header's proximity to the oil filter....... I know that Jon over at TDC has expressed concerns about this with both aftermarket header as well as aftermarket cross-pipe replacement setups, and recommends coated and/or heat-shielded components due to this very issue. <-- I love Winky, my "periwinkle" (ABP) LGT! - Allen / Usual Suspect "DumboRAT" / One of the Three Stooges '16 Outback, '16 WRX, 7th Subaru Family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 looking at this compared to the JDM ones is a huge difference.. which can explain the price difference too Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 looking at this compared to the JDM ones is a huge difference.. which can explain the price difference too Can you show us what you're talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbluelb Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I had been considering headers but was scared of the install. Now I am not worried about the install and am instead worried about other issues... Can't win for losing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Can you show us what you're talking about? if you look at such headers like Cusco, Zerosports, HKS, BPM, etc, most of those are in the $1000+ range.. there are some really high end boxer motor headers that are just scary bling: Cusco: http://subarureview.com/images/734.jpg BPM: http://www.bpmsports.com/products/images/GManifold.jpg http://www.bpmsports.com/products/images/Manifoldwrx.jpg http://www.bpmsports.com/products/images/Manifold%20Flange.jpg Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolbluelb Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 if you look at such headers like Cusco, Zerosports, HKS, BPM, etc, most of those are in the $1000+ range.. Well, so now the install and side-effect concerns are resolved. My only remaining hurdle would be explaining to my wife the need to buy $1000+ headers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasopoliS Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 dont waste your money.... the LGT needs other things with that $1k... seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 if you look at such headers like Cusco, Zerosports, HKS, BPM, etc, most of those are in the $1000+ range.. there are some really high end boxer motor headers that are just scary bling: I'm still not folowing you here.... bling != performance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasopoliS Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 I'm still not folowing you here.... bling != performance he is talking about awesome welds, awesome transitions (the way they should be), and heatsheilds (the way they ALL should be). Ignore the SS and look deeper. The headers are offended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CasopoliS Posted August 24, 2006 Share Posted August 24, 2006 :wub: http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/subarustore_1905_25914689 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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