- :
- Completely Stock P5
Well, got my Ractive header from Funky Buddha's group buy (him and I met up for lunch) and I couldn't resist temptation to put it on this evening.
My first impression was that the header was nice, and a great value for the money. The welds could be better, but other than that fit is perfect. I found that on the underside of the car, the header contacts the oil pan slightly, but since both parts are stationary, it shouldn't pose a problem. The header comes nickel plated, and while not as strong as ceramic, it should prove good heat resistance over time although I'm sure that eventually it will turn a little blue. While still heavy at some 30 pounds, as you can see in the pic with me holding both headers, the Ractive is about half as light as the factory setup made of cast iron.
Removing the stock header / cat is a little tricky once all the bolts are removed. The whole assembly (which is pretty heavy) needs to be juggled out through the bottom. I had a hoist available at the time of this install, but I opted instead to just use ramps as getting my car onto a hoist requres alot of jockeying and hockey pucks. Anyways, once the factory manifold was removed, the header bolted into place using the stock hardware. I used the old gaskets again which is perfectly fine. You may run into some trouble reusing the mallable lower gasket, but if care is taken it will work well. (it's a graphite composite fiber and will degrade quite easily if you're not gentle.) Once the header was all bolted on (the alignment was perfect) all I needed to do was connect the EGR line and connect the O2 sensor that I bolted in prior to installing the header.
The Ractive header requires that the second O2 sensor be relocated to behind the second cat. I simply left mine unplugged and out of the car and (knock on wood) I don't have a CEL yet. I'm sure I'll get one in the next few days.
So, all buttoned up, I started the car and crawled undernieth to check for leaks. All looked well, so once she was warmed up I took my Dad in it out for a rip. The car not only sounds alot better, but the torque curve seems a little flatter and begins to pick up at around (get this!) 2000-2500 RPM. We all know that the FS doesn't even begin to pour on the coal until you hit the majic 3 grand mark, but now it is alot stronger in the lower ranges of the powerband. Keep your right foot planted, and watch both the tach and speedo climb much faster than before. The engine can breathe now! All the way up to 7000 the power is strong. I never thought it was possible, but you are actually pushed back into your seat a little. Oh, and the sound is intoxicating. Check my sig to see what else I'm running, but my exhaust note is now so much deeper, and the throttle response is there now too. This is about as well as the FS will ever breathe with simple bolt ons.
I'd reccomend the header to anyone in the market. While Ractive may not be the most reputable manufacturer out there, the quality, performance gains and value for my dollar were above my expectations in all respects. Definitly a good bang for the buck.
Be sure to check the link below for pics. Excuse the mess. All mt parts are heading into the paint shop tomorrow to get redone since my accident trashed it all.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287271671
My first impression was that the header was nice, and a great value for the money. The welds could be better, but other than that fit is perfect. I found that on the underside of the car, the header contacts the oil pan slightly, but since both parts are stationary, it shouldn't pose a problem. The header comes nickel plated, and while not as strong as ceramic, it should prove good heat resistance over time although I'm sure that eventually it will turn a little blue. While still heavy at some 30 pounds, as you can see in the pic with me holding both headers, the Ractive is about half as light as the factory setup made of cast iron.
Removing the stock header / cat is a little tricky once all the bolts are removed. The whole assembly (which is pretty heavy) needs to be juggled out through the bottom. I had a hoist available at the time of this install, but I opted instead to just use ramps as getting my car onto a hoist requres alot of jockeying and hockey pucks. Anyways, once the factory manifold was removed, the header bolted into place using the stock hardware. I used the old gaskets again which is perfectly fine. You may run into some trouble reusing the mallable lower gasket, but if care is taken it will work well. (it's a graphite composite fiber and will degrade quite easily if you're not gentle.) Once the header was all bolted on (the alignment was perfect) all I needed to do was connect the EGR line and connect the O2 sensor that I bolted in prior to installing the header.
The Ractive header requires that the second O2 sensor be relocated to behind the second cat. I simply left mine unplugged and out of the car and (knock on wood) I don't have a CEL yet. I'm sure I'll get one in the next few days.
So, all buttoned up, I started the car and crawled undernieth to check for leaks. All looked well, so once she was warmed up I took my Dad in it out for a rip. The car not only sounds alot better, but the torque curve seems a little flatter and begins to pick up at around (get this!) 2000-2500 RPM. We all know that the FS doesn't even begin to pour on the coal until you hit the majic 3 grand mark, but now it is alot stronger in the lower ranges of the powerband. Keep your right foot planted, and watch both the tach and speedo climb much faster than before. The engine can breathe now! All the way up to 7000 the power is strong. I never thought it was possible, but you are actually pushed back into your seat a little. Oh, and the sound is intoxicating. Check my sig to see what else I'm running, but my exhaust note is now so much deeper, and the throttle response is there now too. This is about as well as the FS will ever breathe with simple bolt ons.
I'd reccomend the header to anyone in the market. While Ractive may not be the most reputable manufacturer out there, the quality, performance gains and value for my dollar were above my expectations in all respects. Definitly a good bang for the buck.
Be sure to check the link below for pics. Excuse the mess. All mt parts are heading into the paint shop tomorrow to get redone since my accident trashed it all.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287271671