I want to swap out my y-pipe for a header. There is a $140 AP exhaust products and a $80 Bosal on amazon.  Any recommendations.  I had a mandrel bent oversize header before and liked the noticeable difference.

 

thanks

I am looking into those right now. Just had a catback put on now I am looking at headers to order friday. Depends on what you want. Unequal length headers are what most people get (UEL headers), and they are what produce the rumbly burble sound you hear on a lot of subarus. You can get Equal length ones too but most everybody gets UEL. You can get Borla replica headers off ebay for 120-150$ shipped and most people say they are better than the real Borla headers (or less prone to cracking at least. These ones on Speedyracer.com come pretty highly recommended: http://www.speedyracer.com/headers/exhaust-parts/headers/1999-2005-SUBARU-IMPREZA-25L-RS-SOHC-HEADER-STAINLESS 

But they are always out of stock.  Any pre-2005 dual port header will work supposedly (assuming you have dual port heads). This is the one I think I'm gonna order on friday: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Subaru-Impreza-Legacy-97-05-N-A-2-5L-2-2L-1-6L-2-0L-Exhaust-Manifold-Header-/231491456107?fits=Model%3AImpreza

I'll report back when I get them and let you know, or post a video. 

I put an unknown brand on my 2001 obw, liked them so much I ordered and installed this set on my 2000 obw  Ebay #(221497299785)  paid $105.00 delivered E-motors stainless steel header for impreza  . Fit good, came with new gaskets and bolts... throw away the bolts (grade 0 junk)  sits very close to the oil filter but seems to cause no problems. Slight rattle on low speed corners when body flex allows them to touch  the undercarriage. Performance difference is immediate,  have not checked milage yet.  Should have done this years ago! 

So the e-motors impreza header will fit the OBW?  

 

The price for that 221497299785 is $1200.  My wife would freak out at that price.  I plan to go with something under $200.

 

I like the looks of the one Nicholi recommended, but that is listed for impreza also.  Will any of these two fit my 2001 OBW 2.5 with dual exhaust ports?

 

thanks guys

Lol , I saw that price too !!! I paid $105.00 "on sale"  Don't understand why they do that ridiculous price change thing ,but I've seen it happen with the china stuff before.  I think most all the stainless headers run from 105.00 to 140.00 , some use a slightly larger pipe size, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they are all made at the same place. What I found odd is they all claim to be for impreza, not obw but they fit just fine ? 

Cool, glad to hear they fit.  There's a lot to choose from on ebay in that price range.

 

I'll pick out a favorite soon.

 

thanks

Mike

I ordered the one Nicoli suggested.  After the head gasket, new timing belt and a header, I'll update.

 

Michael

Got the header today.  Looks good except there is a missing weld at one of the junctions.  The chrome looks good except for that hole and the end connection has a bit of rusty area and not chromed well.  

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/19Re6R4.jpg

 

Do you guys recommend high temp. paint. and/or wrapping the headers?

 

Should I get my friend to tigweld or just fill it with my stick welding.

Mine was stainless, if yours is also I would have your friend tigweld it, if its steel, stick weld should work ok, although wire feed would have less chance of burning a hole . There probably will not be room next to the oil filter to allow heat wrap and if they are chromed steel I wouldn't  bother painting them.

Edited April 2, 201511 yr by montana tom

Well I got the first header welded on..and my friend didn't have the gas on right and put a bigger hole.  Then filled it but coloring on the other side made me feel like the weld fix had some blockage to it.

 

Got the ebay seller to send another and I sent the first one back. 

 

The second one has a smaller area with a missing weld…therefore there's a leak in the junction at the end of the header.  

 

How important is the no leak factor in a header?  I thought any leak could introduce oxygen and mess up the caty sensors.

No leaks should be allowed in any exhaust, header or stock.