You only need one header. I have had bad experiences with JetHot on my previous Celica GT-4. After about 5k miles it turned flat (was shiny silver) then it started to get odd discoloration and flaked off in a couple places. I did the manifold and the exhaust side of the turbo. I also wrapped the downpipe and will NEVER do that again as if it's not done perfectly and sealed well, it will cause problems down the road due to suspended moisture.

I recently had my 2.5RS Borla header coated by Swain Tech (www.swaintech.com) and it's awesome. It's odd looking, pearly white and rough but after a drive with the car still running I can quickly touch it without getting burned (heat retention is amazing, plus it's safer to work on your car). I had a CEL and 1 day after putting the header on it went away and has stayed - I am told this is because the coating retains heat better and is heating up the cats to operating temp. Anyway, it is totally keeping temps down because there is plastic shielding under there less than an inch away, and it's not even warm with the car running. This is also VERY important since your oil filter is so close to the header.

I have heard a couple WRX's with different manifolds and I have to say equal length, while it might be technically "better" makes the car sound like *** when run through a loud exhaust. Think of a team of fart-can Hondas following you at WOT all the time. My Borla sounds more like "Harley meets Helicopter meets Suby Rally Car..." It will sound better once I ditch the stock mid-pipe.

Here's my info on the Swain coating. Don't confuse it with a ceramic coating that comes in many colours and is for show, this is a .015-.2" thick thermal barrier.

https://www.i-club.com/forums/engine-power-non-turbo-all-non-turbo-imprezas-61/those-asked-about-swaintech-header-coating-pics-106572/

 

^^^good info thanks wombatsauce

 

we do have lots of rain and high humidity here(and i knew that was one issue)... just exactly how bad was yours? i'm curious....



aloha from the summit of *-^-Mauna Kea-^-*

 

Why not take the money from the headers and buy something that will give more substantial gains?

Unless you've already got everything else.

 

Different! heh heh

 

I assume you mean the wrap? This was actually on the mainland in the Bay Area, so it shouldn't have been that bad. The only thing was - this was NOT a stainless downpipe so it could have contributed, but since the engine blew at ~5500 miles, it wasn't on the car that long. The downpipe was new when installed (custom made) and had HUGE like dime sized holes and rust pits in it. Nothing went through, but I was blown away at how bad it was. The DP connected to a stainless full radius mandrel bent 3" system (no cats, straight to the Apex'i N1 - woooot fireballz) and I wrapped the pipe near the swaybar and steering gear. My friend and I did it, and we followed the directions and did it as best we could, and even the stainless pipe was seriously messed up and discoloured. We wrapped, wired it on every few inches, and sprayed the heck outta it with the sealer stuff. Itchy paws, breathing fumes.... Ahhhh those weren't the days.

 

I thought the exhaust manifold was the next obvious choice in perfomance upgrades. I'm currently running a TurboXS RFL-TI turboback, TurboXS upgraded TMIC, K&N Intake, Cobb Accessport Stage 2. I also have the Kartboy short shifter & bushings, 18x8.5 Gold Advan RGII's, Prodrive lower springs, Perrin Radiator Shroud and STi Radiator cap on order for my car. My STi is daily driven and upgrading the turbo with all the tuning invloved is not in my budget yet.

Is there another part that I should upgrade before purchasing the exhaust manifold. What would be the best "bang for the buck" upgrade that you guys have come across? Perhaps upgrade the suspension, fuel delivery or drivetrain? LMK. Thanks again fellas.

 

04 STI
Header, APS TBE, 18x8, Prodrive Springs, Cobb AP, AVO Short Ram...you need an upgraded rear swaybar and endlinks...that will put a big change in your handling...I really liked this upgrade...i also did the front and rear strutbars...

How do you like the Kartboy short shifter and bushings? That is what I am going to pick up next...install difficult? How long?

 

Thanks for the suggestion Island Style. What swaybars did you end up getting? The Kartboy short shifter is still on order and I have not received it yet. Maybe when you get yours I can set up an install day and we can try and tackle the install together. Hopefully with some help from the guys who actually have done the install before. LMK. Laters

 

I really like my Perrin Rear SB with the heavy duty mounts and together with the Perrin rear endlinks really stiffened up my car...

This is one of the best upgrades that I have done on my car...

I'm still tossing whether to just get the bushings or to purchase the short shifter also...Steve (ReleaseDaKraken) said he liked the bushing but the short shifter took some getting used to...see if you can try someones out...I'll do the same...let me know what you find out...and I'm all for an install day on bushings and short shifters...maybe even the Whiteline steering bushings as well...

We need some of the experts from this board that have already done this to supervise us all...

Brent