My 2.5 Stillen Header experience

[Ricko]

So I just installed my Header today . . .

I have a K&N intake and Nismo exhaust but I didn't really notice to much of a difference in power with the Header.

Install was a bit of a pain. Alternator and Belt were the biggest issues.

Wires were not long enough so I will be cutting my wire and extending them myself tomorrow. I hope with the o2 sensor back I will notice some power gains.

Also I didn't have hardware to bolt up the extra 2 holes. I will also be picking up 2 more bolts tomorrow.

I didnt notice a tone difference really in sound, rather just at 3k rpms, more of a rattle. Not like something is loose but just . . . I guess ricer type rattle in the exhaust.

For the bottom half of the header, there was only a rubber gasket on the old header, didnt use one for the new one. Anyone use a gasket for the bottom half? Def got a new exhaust manifold gasket though, $25 at autozone.

But now that I have all my bolt-ons on, I will be looking for a professional tune here soon.

[wade001]

Hate to say it but, i think the stillen header is over rated, I't not that great in my opinion . The Ebay header I bought is better then it is. And it came with the gasket.

[Ricko]

Got the bolts on and wire is extended. Still have check engine light but I need to reset it before will be able to tell if the o2 is properly connected.

Def wouldn't buy parts off ebay. Stillen def knows what they are doing. These headers didnt seem to add as much as I would have hoped while complimenting my intake and exhaust.

I hope a professional tune will make these bolt-ons more worthwhile

[wade001]

A tune will defanitely help. The ebay headers were surprisingly good. very good welds, 304 SS (stillen is not 304SS), correct O2 sensor bung locations, and they were ported and polished. I showed my teacher that laughed when I told him about them, he was really impressed. I was going to make my own, but I think these will do the job when I get to moding. For now anyway.

[QR25DE]

A tune will defanitely help. The ebay headers were surprisingly good. very good welds, 304 SS (stillen is not 304SS), correct O2 sensor bung locations, and they were ported and polished. I showed my teacher that laughed when I told him about them, he was really impressed. I was going to make my own, but I think these will do the job when I get to moding. For now anyway.

The eBay parts are def not total garbage but it all depends what you get.

For example, the 150 dollar turbos are crappy, but they DO work to a point. I've used headers and other parts from ebay with no issues. Not saying they are 100% correct or reliable, but they are fine if you want to save some money.

Most of these parts are made in large quantities so with a lot of people buying them they have to get it right sooner or later. Even the turbos being crap they can be rebuilt for about 35 bucks and can go another 50-80,000kms.

Some people on here have the ebay cat back exhaust and it actually performs very well and bolts up with no issues.

I love ebay haha.

[wade001]

A tune will defanitely help. The ebay headers were surprisingly good. very good welds, 304 SS (stillen is not 304SS), correct O2 sensor bung locations, and they were ported and polished. I showed my teacher that laughed when I told him about them, he was really impressed. I was going to make my own, but I think these will do the job when I get to moding. For now anyway.

The eBay parts are def not total garbage but it all depends what you get.

For example, the 150 dollar turbos are crappy, but they DO work to a point. I've used headers and other parts from ebay with no issues. Not saying they are 100% correct or reliable, but they are fine if you want to save some money.

Most of these parts are made in large quantities so with a lot of people buying them they have to get it right sooner or later. Even the turbos being crap they can be rebuilt for about 35 bucks and can go another 50-80,000kms.

Some people on here have the ebay cat back exhaust and it actually performs very well and bolts up with no issues.

I love ebay haha.

Thank you, I dont care where it comes from. If it's good thats what matters.

[Blake@STILLEN]

So I just installed my Header today . . .

I have a K&N intake and Nismo exhaust but I didn't really notice to much of a difference in power with the Header.

Install was a bit of a pain. Alternator and Belt were the biggest issues.

Wires were not long enough so I will be cutting my wire and extending them myself tomorrow. I hope with the o2 sensor back I will notice some power gains.

Also I didn't have hardware to bolt up the extra 2 holes. I will also be picking up 2 more bolts tomorrow.

I didnt notice a tone difference really in sound, rather just at 3k rpms, more of a rattle. Not like something is loose but just . . . I guess ricer type rattle in the exhaust.

For the bottom half of the header, there was only a rubber gasket on the old header, didnt use one for the new one. Anyone use a gasket for the bottom half? Def got a new exhaust manifold gasket though, $25 at autozone.

But now that I have all my bolt-ons on, I will be looking for a professional tune here soon.

Exhaust leaks (from not being correctly bolted up) and not having your O2s hooked up can definitely affect your performance.

Any updates?

[Ricko]

o2 sensor is connected, 2 extra bolts are in.

waiting for the 100 miles so I can re-torque the bolts.