Finally ordered and installed the WR 'header'. So here's the scoop:



Installation:

%#*@ you need japanese micro hands to work on the backside of this engine. Cat removal is a pain in the butt. Everything has to be done with one hand. Once the cat is out, installation is much easier in comparision. If you are lowered be very careful of the front sway bar. Tighten the passenger side bolt on the balloon fitting tighter than the driver side. You must do this to keep the pipe from tapping on the sway bar once you drop the car off the jacks. Everything is straightforward. On the brightside your significant other will be *pleased* with your new found dexterity from working on everything with one hand.

Operation:

Pros:
The power is there! I didn't believe the dynos at first but now that I have it installed I 100% believe the 8hp gain. You WILL feel the difference. Closed Loop is radically changed, your long term fuel trims will increase by 4-5 pts. This is felt at any given rpm range. I fully expected to lose power in low rpms but this is not the case at all. Throttle response even seems quicker. In open loop, power is still felt but it seems to wait untill 4.5k to really come out. Rather than leveling out after 6k it feels like power is increasing all the way up to red line.

Cons:
Noise Noise Noise
It is no longer an option to run a straight resonator setup, you MUST use a muffler or you will go deaf. The stock muffler has a buzzy raspiness between 3k and 4k that disapears below and above that range. I would bet that all the existing axlebacks would sound like ricer shit throughout the rev range. Probably needs Flowmaster (more like failmaster amirite - but regardless it is recognized at one of the few mufflers that will strip away that bee in a microphone buzziness that screams "RICER") 40 series or equivalent.

CEL - nonissue use the spark plug nonfouler trick.

 

nice review.

 

im interested now all we need is a group buy going! hint hint hint tax season

 

Are you going to add a intake and exhaust with the weapon R? Are you going to dyno your car?

 

what kind of aftermarket axle back should one use to not have the ricer sound??

 

Awesome! you must be the first ge8 to do it!

I was considering this but really don't want to swap it out every time i need an inspection.

 

Nice write up!

 

nice shit!

can you do a side by side pics of the stock and wr down pipe?

 

Its funny you should ask, I did take a picture of just that before I put it in.

 

Maybe a dynomax, or a magnaflow? The former being quieter.

 

Wow I had no idea the stock down pipe had so much restriction. Is that a secondary cat or a resonator? GE's have 3 O2 sensors?!

 

have been weighing between a mid pipe and this...

 

So is that what you are going to run to tide you over while your prep your turbo setup? Looks nice... and much lighter!

Have you noticed the ECU trying to dial back any gains you made with the header as time goes by?

 

can u post up a video of the exhaust with the header

 

^wondering this!

 

I see two sensors... is/are the non-fouler plug/s included?

 

No, they would rather you spent $45 on an o2 sim. There are no extra bungs on the wr 'header', you just cant see the second one on the underfloor cat pipe.

 

Not much for it to dial back. timing remains at 20-21.5 btdc. adds more fuel over time but that shouldnt be a significant difference. Honestly I just have too many variables going on between the new more projected rsx-s injectors, the fuel calibration with aem fic, and the wild swings in my stft.

 

so would u recommend this 'header'?

 

I certainly would so long as you have a good set of tools and some patience. However, I don't know what you Cali folks have to do to deal with your evil inspections. B prepared to spend a little while switching out for the cats when testing time comes.