New Headers for my '04 S

[pacific986]

I finally got over to Integrated Performance today to get the headers installed. It took Alex a little over an hour to install. And what a nice guy! Really a no nonsense experience. He even bagged up my old headers and gaskets and put them in the packaging the new ones were in and put them in the trunk for me.

The result. An obvious increase in throttle response. A slightly throatier sound.

I went into this mod a bit apprehensively because I considered the car near perfectly balanced in all respects. A while back I had a WRX wagon with a high flow cat and and APS exhaust. I got addicted to the sound and the great benefit from the exhaust modification alone. That is: sound and throttle response. (eventually the ECU got reflashed too and then it was unbelievable performance too).

From what I've read on this and other forums, the header replacement was the most economical way to get some more satisfaction out of my Boxster driving experience. So for about $300 bucks including the gas to drive to Gardena for the install (headers, tax, shipping, labor, a couple gallons of 91 octane) I am satisfied.

If I start to get a CEL and cannot resolve that, I will probably put the stock headers back.

Like I said, it's tough to mess with near perfection. If the CELs don't start, I think this was one notch in the right direction. Especially for the cost of one new rear Pirelli.

I'll try to get some photos posted soon.