MadDad headers/uppipe - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

MikeK · 2005-11-14, 01:06 PM

Product page: http://www.daddysscp.com/dcart4/prod...9&cat=8&page=1

The blurb states: "Manufactured from the same factory producing these headers for a famous JDM brand, where they are already proven to put down approx. 20+whp to the ground.". Back when I bought them the rumour was that these were tomei headers. After speaking with Mike @ gruppe-s, I am now convinced that these are GT-spec headers, possibly the same ones that Nick has.

The fitment on these was pretty bad. The stud holes in the turbo had to be drilled out to get the uppipe to bolt on. The header hit the subframe under the car. Rather than try to bend the subframe lip out of the way I have just removed it for now, something I am not really happy with. Overall a real pain in the arse.

When I bought these the main selling point was that they wouldn't lose the boxer engine sound that the stock headers have. I don't have the email from the vendor anymore but the quote was something like: "if anything, these enhance the boxer engine sound". Unfortunately, that turned out to be bs. They sound just like Nick's car (even more reason why I now think these are GT-spec headers).

The only positive thing, they did make some good improvements in midrange torque. I picked up about 11 Hp and 24 ft-lbs compared to a baseline run from earlier the same day.

Overall, if you don't care about the change in the exhaust note, and some fitment issues, these are great headers, which will give a strong boost to midrange torque. If you do care about the sound and the fitment issues, avoid these headers.

doubleurx · 2005-11-14, 09:03 PM

Definately GT spec. Nate had to notch and bend a 1/4" strip X 1" long edge for them to fit. I don't recall any fitment issues with the stud holes though. Your gains look the same as mine as well. The sound has grown on me so I won't change.

Ha ha Mike, serves you right for making fun of how my car sounds!

sperry · 2005-11-14, 11:04 PM

This thread has pretty much sold me on the Gruppe-S headers. I want the power, but hate that noise.

Eric's car sounds so much better (aka "stock like") than Nicks! (No offense, bud.) Plus, since Gruppe-S is coating 'em again, my order's placed.

qksubi · 2005-11-14, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

This thread has pretty much sold me on the Gruppe-S headers. I want the power, but hate that noise.

Eric's car sounds so much better (aka "stock like") than Nicks! (No offense, bud.) Plus, since Gruppe-S is coating 'em again, my order's placed.

Wait

They are Coating again

What change there mind about coating? and how much are they charging? I need some coated before I put them on the 06!

doubleurx · 2005-11-15, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

This thread has pretty much sold me on the Gruppe-S headers. I want the power, but hate that noise.

Eric's car sounds so much better (aka "stock like") than Nicks! (No offense, bud.) Plus, since Gruppe-S is coating 'em again, my order's placed.

I was just giving Mike crap. I too would opt for the gruppe-s headers to keep the old sound. I'm just used to mine now and couldn't justify the cost of install / re-tune. It does sound much better with the EVO2 exhaust and not the sound that made you all just laugh at me as I drove off (you guys stopped doing that...........right?)! Unfortunately when I did mine, Gruppe-S wasn't an option yet, or at least they weren't really advertising it. I haven't heard Eric's car with the headers (man it's been a while since I've been down). I'll have to check it out. Performance wise I do think the headers were a great upgrade, especially for the increased torque.

MikeK · 2005-11-15, 09:29 AM

I should add an update here. Rich, the vendor got back to me offering to replace the uppipe for free, or give me a full refund if I didn't end up putting them on the car. +1 for great customer service.

sperry · 2005-11-15, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qksubi

Wait

They are Coating again

What change there mind about coating? and how much are they charging? I need some coated before I put them on the 06!

Eric, they're only coating the outside now to prevent the issues they were originally having w/ the coating coming off and going through the turbo.

qksubi · 2005-11-15, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

Eric, they're only coating the outside now to prevent the issues they were originally having w/ the coating coming off and going through the turbo.

Nice I sent Mike a PM but he hasent sent me back anything!?

sperry · 2005-11-15, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qksubi

Nice I sent Mike a PM but he hasent sent me back anything!?

I think he only checks the board once or twice a day, you might have missed him.

2005-11-14, 01:06 PM	#1
MikeK Captain Turbo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Reno Posts: 3,318 Car: 05 STi	MadDad headers/uppipe Product page: http://www.daddysscp.com/dcart4/prod...9&cat=8&page=1 The blurb states: "Manufactured from the same factory producing these headers for a famous JDM brand, where they are already proven to put down approx. 20+whp to the ground.". Back when I bought them the rumour was that these were tomei headers. After speaking with Mike @ gruppe-s, I am now convinced that these are GT-spec headers, possibly the same ones that Nick has. The fitment on these was pretty bad. The stud holes in the turbo had to be drilled out to get the uppipe to bolt on. The header hit the subframe under the car. Rather than try to bend the subframe lip out of the way I have just removed it for now, something I am not really happy with. Overall a real pain in the arse. When I bought these the main selling point was that they wouldn't lose the boxer engine sound that the stock headers have. I don't have the email from the vendor anymore but the quote was something like: "if anything, these enhance the boxer engine sound". Unfortunately, that turned out to be bs. They sound just like Nick's car (even more reason why I now think these are GT-spec headers). The only positive thing, they did make some good improvements in midrange torque. I picked up about 11 Hp and 24 ft-lbs compared to a baseline run from earlier the same day. Overall, if you don't care about the change in the exhaust note, and some fitment issues, these are great headers, which will give a strong boost to midrange torque. If you do care about the sound and the fitment issues, avoid these headers.

2005-11-14, 11:04 PM	#3
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	This thread has pretty much sold me on the Gruppe-S headers. I want the power, but hate that noise. Eric's car sounds so much better (aka "stock like") than Nicks! (No offense, bud.) Plus, since Gruppe-S is coating 'em again, my order's placed. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2005-11-14, 09:03 PM	#2
doubleurx EJ205 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Truckee Posts: 1,948	Definately GT spec. Nate had to notch and bend a 1/4" strip X 1" long edge for them to fit. I don't recall any fitment issues with the stud holes though. Your gains look the same as mine as well. The sound has grown on me so I won't change. Ha ha Mike, serves you right for making fun of how my car sounds!

2005-11-15, 09:29 AM	#6
MikeK Captain Turbo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Reno Posts: 3,318 Car: 05 STi	I should add an update here. Rich, the vendor got back to me offering to replace the uppipe for free, or give me a full refund if I didn't end up putting them on the car. +1 for great customer service.