Brumby: headers or not
Brumby: headers or not
Hi all,
I'm after an exhaust replacement for an '89 Brumby to give me the usual power increase, that fulfilling boxer sound out the rear and not too hugely loud at highway speeds.
I'm toying between a 2 1/4 inch cat back system or going the whole hog with custom headers from the block. What extra gain is there performance and sound wise with going headers as well on an EA81?
Cheers.
I'm after an exhaust replacement for an '89 Brumby to give me the usual power increase, that fulfilling boxer sound out the rear and not too hugely loud at highway speeds.
I'm toying between a 2 1/4 inch cat back system or going the whole hog with custom headers from the block. What extra gain is there performance and sound wise with going headers as well on an EA81?
Cheers.
- Gannon
- Senior Member
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- Location: Bowraville, Mid Nth Coast, NSW
Headers arent really gonna do squat
Current rides: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS & 2004 Forester X
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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cant do headers on an EA82 atleast, the shape of the engine and placement
cat back for the noise is all your gonna gett
cat back for the noise is all your gonna gett
if im needed for anything [email protected] and ill try and get back to you.
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pickstock racing fabrication
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GETDIRTYCLOTHING
track day classics and customs
- steptoe
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they are headers or extractors. Some have used EA82 headers on EA81 due to larger diameter allegedly, I'd be cautious to try used before buying EA82 just in case you lose a bit of back pressure, too much a bit may be felt as a loss of torque.
Found the opportunity to open the throttle right up on a favourite long haul uphill test track (where a snap happy van rests on the blind spot
) Got the old 92 Brumby with standard exhaust yet modded intake throttle body and LPG saw 110 kph in third which is not much slower than my EA82T in same place, doubting standard exhaust is much of a power hindrance. I do recall a 2" system helped the choke splutter when cold though
Found the opportunity to open the throttle right up on a favourite long haul uphill test track (where a snap happy van rests on the blind spot

Usually people put "headers" or "extractors" on cars to replace restrictive factory manifolds. The EA81 and EA82 exhaust manifold basically are extractors already. Look at them - they are just two pipes. The only way to really change them is by going larger diameter, but if you look at the size of the exhaust ports themselves, it's really not going to yield any benefit at all. End of the day it's not a performance engine, even if there was a tiny gain it wouldn't be worth the cost anyway.
EZ30 L series - Monsterwagon
https://www.ausubaru.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=26163
https://www.ausubaru.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=26163
This is the opinion I had formed and my reason for creating this thread. Thanks AndrewT and all above.AndrewT wrote:The EA81 and EA82 exhaust manifold basically are extractors already. Look at them - they are just two pipes. The only way to really change them is by going larger diameter, but if you look at the size of the exhaust ports themselves, it's really not going to yield any benefit at all. End of the day it's not a performance engine, even if there was a tiny gain it wouldn't be worth the cost anyway.
- TOONGA
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if you are game enough to machine the exhaust ports to a larger diameter you engine would make more noise but would have less back pressure leading to eventual engine failure. going to 2 inch headers will increase gas flow marginally (no performance gain) but will add noise effect (kinda like a farting leper)
TOONGA
yep in an odd mood today blame Maddox
TOONGA
yep in an odd mood today blame Maddox
waste of time and money for power increases. Cat back 2 1/4 zorst will sound good with strait thru mufflers.
you may think it goes quicker, but its just the noise making you think youre going quicker. been there done that...lol.
alex
you may think it goes quicker, but its just the noise making you think youre going quicker. been there done that...lol.
alex
my07 Outback
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.
previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.
- El_Freddo
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Unless you've got an EJ and running the standard EA exhaust after the Y pipes its probably not going to do you much. I definitely had a power increase going from the EA exhaust after the EJ Y pipes to a 2 and a 1/4 inch cat back system. Got a better note too. Could be refined more but I'm too tight atm with funds to be spending it on exhaust systems...Alex wrote:waste of time and money for power increases. Cat back 2 1/4 zorst will sound good with strait thru mufflers.
you may think it goes quicker, but its just the noise making you think youre going quicker. been there done that...lol.
Cheers
Bennie