Tuning Developments Manifold & Remap Review

[Nicebiscuit 655]

Ok, so now I've got my insurance sorted I can now review this little lot...

After a bit of reading on here and elsewhere it seems the best gains to be had on an n/a car come from a manifold replacement. Much as I love the car, two key things that had slightly underwhelmed on the standard car from new we're the lack of mid range grunt, and the slightly characterless engine note.

So given that I'm in the North West I decided to get Mike at Tuning Developments to have a go at the car. I've basically had the upgrades he's now offering as a package, so k&n filter, custom decatted manifold and overpipe (sourced from a rather excellent local exhaust specialist) and an Ecutek tune to suit.

TD offer EL and UEL manifolds. I went UEL because this is a boxer and I wanted it to sound like one . I have memories of Colin McRae in flying Imprezas... Etc etc

So what's it like? Really good. The torque dip is gone. What this means in practice is that the car bogs down much less - on most B roads you could basically stay in 3rd if you're feeling lazy. There's enough extra top end to make it feel quicker than it was before - the engine now feels a better match for the chassis. This is how I wish it had come from the factory, and how it probably would have done ten years earlier...

Any downside? No not that I can think of. Fuel consumption seems identical as far as I can tell. And while the engine note is more characterful and definitely louder under throttle, with the standard exhaust system in place from the second cat back it is still as quiet as stock at a cruise. Perfect.

I have a very minor teething problem at present with a VERY slight clearance issue on the overpipe (not uncommon with aftermarket overpipes looking at forum threads - there isn't much room) - but that's booked in to sort.

So would I recommend?

Manifold and remap as best bang for buck for an N/a car? Definitely.

Tuning Developments? Yes - they know what they're doing and on the basis of my experience they look after you. Added bonus - this set up can be a stepping stone to their turbo installation. Nice to have a decent specialist to look after us Northerners.

UEL manifold? Well... Results so far suggest that the EL manifold gets the best power gains by a few bhp, so take your pick. I wouldn't swap mine as I like the uneven Subaru burble and doubt you could tell any difference in power from the drivers seat, but if you're a sprint series warrior EL might be best on current evidence...

Hope this is of use to someone.

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[Tareim 343]

does the n/a manifold loop up to the top of the engine bay then on this one?

[Nicebiscuit 655]

At the front? Yes it does. Heat wrapped and purposeful looking...

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[Tareim 343]

pics! 

[long-gone 152]

Thanks for taking the time to review.

First I've heard of the clearance issue. Easy fix?

[KobayashiMaru 28]

Nice review. It's useful as I'm toying with UEL or EL. OCD says EL but heart says UEL to get it to sound like a Boxer should

[Church 209]

People might more like that burbling sound, but i would argue on 'like boxer should' bit. That sound is not characteristic to boxer engines. It's characteristic to UELs that subaru once traditionally used to simplify manufacturing and save on materials. These days even subaru on many cars uses EL. And none of such in boxers by Porsche.

[Nicebiscuit 655]

People might more like that burbling sound, but i would argue on 'like boxer should' bit. That sound is not characteristic to boxer engines. It's characteristic to UELs that subaru once traditionally used to simplify manufacturing and save on materials. These days even subaru on many cars uses EL. And none of such in boxers by Porsche.

Oh - totally agree. It's for totally sentimental reasons. It's just how they should sound to me... Were Porsche always EL? Their air cooled cars also had that off-beat note. And

my first car was a VW...

Either way it sounds better than stock which was dull. When I had Saabs it was the same. The eighties 900 and 9000 had the same engine, but mounted longitudinally in the 900 and transversely in the 9000 this necessitating different manifold designs. The 900 sounded great, the 9000 rubbish...

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[Nicebiscuit 655]

Thanks for taking the time to review.

First I've heard of the clearance issue. Easy fix?

Should be enough give in the mountings to adjust. It's very slight. Basically it's just kissing something when the engine is flat out and twisting on its mountings. Only happens at 10/10ths on a dry twisty road... You wouldn't notice unless you were hammering it - doesn't even manifest in daily use.

Other people have had the same with aftermarket overpipes (mostly on US sites) There's just not that much room there - stock pipe has all sorts of kinks to clear stuff...

Not concerning me... TDs car doesn't do it and has a shed load more torque than mine (and still stock engine mounts) so must be sortable.

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[Nicebiscuit 655]

pics! 

On Friday - once I've got the coilovers, wheels and black badges on too...

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[S18 RSG 429]

The EL manifolds, to me, make the car sound like any other 4 cylinder, and with a raspy exhaust, it can sound like you're the local chav with a dustbin for an exhaust on his Vauxhall Corsa. Admittedly some sound nice, but it's a fine line.

Some people may be of the opinion that the Subaru burble is quite chavvy, and I get that, but at least it gives the car character. Most car enthusiasts know the Subaru sound, so when they see that sound being made by a small sports car, it's funny to see the reactions.

That was my main reason for UEL, character.

[Church 209]

Nicebiscuit: i would also argue on 'dull' bit. Imho it's by subjective/individual taste. For example to me it sounds high-rev-ish race engine like how it should, as it's not big displacement big american muscle car that burbles at low frequency, but japanese high power output per small displacement engine that loves revving high to get most out of it. Well, however it be, my primary manifold choice would be Ace's header for performance reasons, that happens to be EL one. So i just ignore sound bit, just wanting to get most power in NA form.

[Mike@TD.co.uk 467]

Thank you very much for the review Joe, i'm glad you're happy with the end result, certainly drove much much better to me

 

Thanks

 

Mike

[Nicebiscuit 655]

You know I think it depends which direction you come to the car from. It was the Subaru input that hooked me initially even though I bought the Toyota variant.

But if you're a Toyota fan, that's less relevant. And there's no doubt the car sounds nicer than stock whichever you go with. I wouldn't say EL aftermarket systems were dull either. I still reckon stock is though....

Neither sounds as good as an AE86 being given the beans though, sadly....

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[Nicebiscuit 655]

As requested here's a glimpse of the new under bonnet pipe work. You can just about see the heat-wrapped bit at the front - looks like I've run over a mummy,

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[Tareim 343]

doesn't come up as high as I was expecting

[Nicebiscuit 655]

It can't really unless something else moves

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[Nicebiscuit 655]

Thanks for taking the time to review.

First I've heard of the clearance issue. Easy fix?

Quick update. Car back into TD to sort what appeared to be a very slight clearance issue as the engine moves under torque. Overpipe removed and refitted - bit of a mystery as to the cause of the noise as no visible evidence of contact, but either way whatever was vibrating against whatever has stopped doing it following the refit, so jobs a good 'un.

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[long-gone 152]

Kewlio. Thanks for update.

I'm booked in for similar in three weeks or so, plus Bilsteins.

Looking forward to it, much.

[Nicebiscuit 655]

I think you'll be a happy man.

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