TopGear 981 GT4 Catless Header Review
#46
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Awesome. Thank you. I already have a Softronic tune and was told they will be able to tune out the CEL. I am glad that you are happy with the Top Gear ones. They are significantly cheaper than Soul or other brands. I don't want to ruin my expensive car. My main questions are as follows: Is the additional power noticeable? Is the sound civil when PSE is turned off? How bad is the smell? Are you getting idle surges?
Thank you.
Thank you.
#47
Instructor
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Awesome. Thank you. I already have a Softronic tune and was told they will be able to tune out the CEL. I am glad that you are happy with the Top Gear ones. They are significantly cheaper than Soul or other brands. I don't want to ruin my expensive car. My main questions are as follows: Is the additional power noticeable? Is the sound civil when PSE is turned off? How bad is the smell? Are you getting idle surges?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Again, this is just a guess, but I’d say the sound will definitely be a bit different but not by much with PSE off. I say this because I have the Carnewal GT exhaust (which I did first) and the sound, although it changed some, just wasn’t a lot. Definitely for the better for sure. Personally, I’m fine with how mine sounds, meaning I’d hit the PSE (if I had that) OFF button every time I drive. The glorious wail doesn’t really come on until 4500RPM anyway so cruising around at normal speeds won’t wake up the chipmunks. No joke… I get more compliments on how the car sounds than the car. Don’t care either way, I just like the car, but that’s been my experience.
As far as power increases go, the tune and headers are really all you can do to these cars. The other intake BS is just wasted money in my opinion. Those gains won’t even be noticed!
BTW, the headers we’re talking about ARE Soul headers, just without the media blasted surface, which of course you’ll only see the day you install them… oh and the grossly inflated price!
#48
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The power is noticeable but not quite as much as the tune. Understand my car is a 3.4 so can’t speak to what you’ll experience but I’ll bet you’ll see a better torque curve down low than I did because of your displacement.
Again, this is just a guess, but I’d say the sound will definitely be a bit different but not by much with PSE off. I say this because I have the Carnewal GT exhaust (which I did first) and the sound, although it changed some, just wasn’t a lot. Definitely for the better for sure. Personally, I’m fine with how mine sounds, meaning I’d hit the PSE (if I had that) OFF button every time I drive. The glorious wail doesn’t really come on until 4500RPM anyway so cruising around at normal speeds won’t wake up the chipmunks. No joke… I get more compliments on how the car sounds than the car. Don’t care either way, I just like the car, but that’s been my experience.
As far as power increases go, the tune and headers are really all you can do to these cars. The other intake BS is just wasted money in my opinion. Those gains won’t even be noticed!
BTW, the headers we’re talking about ARE Soul headers, just without the media blasted surface, which of course you’ll only see the day you install them… oh and the grossly inflated price!
Again, this is just a guess, but I’d say the sound will definitely be a bit different but not by much with PSE off. I say this because I have the Carnewal GT exhaust (which I did first) and the sound, although it changed some, just wasn’t a lot. Definitely for the better for sure. Personally, I’m fine with how mine sounds, meaning I’d hit the PSE (if I had that) OFF button every time I drive. The glorious wail doesn’t really come on until 4500RPM anyway so cruising around at normal speeds won’t wake up the chipmunks. No joke… I get more compliments on how the car sounds than the car. Don’t care either way, I just like the car, but that’s been my experience.
As far as power increases go, the tune and headers are really all you can do to these cars. The other intake BS is just wasted money in my opinion. Those gains won’t even be noticed!
BTW, the headers we’re talking about ARE Soul headers, just without the media blasted surface, which of course you’ll only see the day you install them… oh and the grossly inflated price!
#49
Instructor
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#50
Official Wednesday AM Red Bull F1 test driver
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Awesome. Thank you. I already have a Softronic tune and was told they will be able to tune out the CEL. I am glad that you are happy with the Top Gear ones. They are significantly cheaper than Soul or other brands. I don't want to ruin my expensive car. My main questions are as follows: Is the additional power noticeable? Is the sound civil when PSE is turned off? How bad is the smell? Are you getting idle surges?
Thank you.
Thank you.
#51
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How is the sound with the catless headers then before? Is it always loud, or when you turn PSE off, does it calm down? I like noise, but I would like civility when I have a passenger or when the drive is long.
#52
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I am currently making a before and after video with windows up and down to compare stock vs Fabspeed catless header and pse. I can attach the link by Friday to help give more input on the sound difference.
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SQ13 (01-16-2024)
#53
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Alright. Thanks for the insight, everyone. I just ordered the Top Gear Headers from Sierra Racing Supply. Their service is awesome and as someone mentioned, no sales tax. I was out the door for about $800. Incredible, considering I was about to spend $4k on Fabspeed/Soul. I will do some before and after videos. Hoping I like them!
#54
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Alright. Thanks for the insight, everyone. I just ordered the Top Gear Headers from Sierra Racing Supply. Their service is awesome and as someone mentioned, no sales tax. I was out the door for about $800. Incredible, considering I was about to spend $4k on Fabspeed/Soul. I will do some before and after videos. Hoping I like them!
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IndigoInkTaco (01-17-2024)
#56
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They have them for $850 on their website, and I was given a 5% off coupon.
https://www.sierraracingsupply.com/p...-4-0l-2020-/30
https://www.sierraracingsupply.com/p...-4-0l-2020-/30
#57
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See. Look at that. I knew buying a new car was a wise financial decision. I am already saving money. Haha. I will let you know how this goes. I might have hit a wrinkle. I have Flat six over-axle pipes, and it says they fit with their own OAPs or the OEM ones. Hoping it fits.
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SQ13 (01-17-2024)
#58
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Have any of you successfully handled the CEL and, even more important, the readyness monitors?
Those running the O2 extenders, do all your monitors go to ready? If some are still set to "not ready", how many? In my experience with other cars it is normally 2, but if we can get it down to 1 I'd be good.
Those running the O2 extenders, do all your monitors go to ready? If some are still set to "not ready", how many? In my experience with other cars it is normally 2, but if we can get it down to 1 I'd be good.
#59
Instructor
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Have any of you successfully handled the CEL and, even more important, the readyness monitors?
Those running the O2 extenders, do all your monitors go to ready? If some are still set to "not ready", how many? In my experience with other cars it is normally 2, but if we can get it down to 1 I'd be good.
Those running the O2 extenders, do all your monitors go to ready? If some are still set to "not ready", how many? In my experience with other cars it is normally 2, but if we can get it down to 1 I'd be good.
I don’t know what “readiness monitors” are but my CEL was handled with software. Softronic is who did mine. No CEL’s whatsoever!
You will want a tune anyway if you want to take full advantage of the header upgrade.
#60
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Has anyone been able to purchase these from Top Gear recently? They aren’t listed on their site anymore and haven’t been for a long time. I emailed them to inquire but haven’t gotten a response yet.