Hey all.

Just picked up a 2020 RCF recently. I have a couple questions regarding headers.

A local friend had a Meisterschaft (GTHAUS) axle back available, so I picked that up because I needed some quick satisfaction anyhow, I'm looking to grab the Novel manifold/headers. I've been reading about CEL issues when swapping headers or midpipes, specifically regarding O2 sensors. I also noticed that the Novel manifold has a built-in catalytic converter. Is this different to PPE? Would simply installing Novel manifold cause an CEL issues? I was considering going with Novel + Meisterschaft axle-back and keeping the midpipe stock. I'm looking for power gains and that Novel exotic sound without breaking eardrums. Any thoughts on this?

Additionally, as far as I know, the 2019+ RCF was simply a facelift. Everything else is the same and thus 2015-2018 parts should be compatible?

Thanks in advance

 

From my recollection the Novel headers will not have built-in catalytical converters for US cars, the option is not available to LH drive cars. I believe it had something to do with fitment.

Just get O2 Bung Extenders to get rid of CEL, worked for me.

 

Novel headers have the best sound for the 2UR as far as headers go, but from what I have read they cause loss in power. PPE equal length headers would give you very close to the same sound that Novel headers have, but you actually gain around 25 whp with the PPE EL headers based on dynos. The Novel headers are also a lot more expensive than the PPE headers.

Regarding difference with the 2020+ RCF. They were tweaks like these:

- Intake design change giving +5 HP and + 6 ft-lbs of torque and intake baffles open at 2800 rpm instead of 3600 rpm.
- Exterior design changes
- Overall final drive shortened from 2.97:1 to 3.13:1
- Throttle mapping in SPORT+ changed to more linear response from instantaneous response in the 2015 - 2019
-TVD available as a stand-alone option

 

Awesome information thank you! Yeah I was also looking at the PPE headers—my only concern is that they do not come with factory catalysts. Also wouldn't swapping headers require a tune? AFAIK there is no tune available for 2019+ RCFs

 

My sentiments exactly the same as Rolla! Novel's are questionable when it comes to performance. It seems without a doubt they are power robbing, not a single novel user has posted numbers, the closest has been a user stating the numbers were all over the place. RR I believe built a case why this headers would not perform, diameter of piping seemed to be lacking.

Just as Rolla stated any equal length header such as PPE equal length will give you the exotic sound you looking for without sacrificing performance. I so badly wanted to own a set of Novel headers based on the sound but I couldn't stomach losing power. Also be aware the sound on the promotional video, people have claimed it is a bit enhanced. When you listen to video clips of actual Novel installs the sound is not quite the same, sounds raspy to me.

I incidentally went with American Racing Headers since I prefer the bassy muscle sound it gives the RCF and been very happy. With every performance mod made I always verify with actual dyno testing and the America Racing Headers delivered. Smiles all the time, with sound and performance.

 

You should still be able to install secondary cats, most vendors will offer that option.

You are totally fine without a tune. Tune in most cases just smooths out the power curve band in some areas, it really isn't a biggy.

 

Perfect—thanks for the insight

 

American race header is another great company. Both their exhaust and headers sound excellent. Amazing sound with their headers

 

His is pure madness! Lol. In this video he had the Meisterschaft axle back paired with ARH long system no CATS, no Resonators.

I opted for ARH long system with CATS and Resonators and kept factory axle back. Gives a mellow thumping sound at low RPM and screams at high RPM with absolutely no rasp. It gives you the best of both worlds, muscle sound at street cruising speeds and exotic sound at WOT.

 

Our vote is PPE equal length, best bang for buck and we can get them built with GESI cats as well!

-Josh

 

I'm interested...

 

If you keep the stock mid-pipe you will technically still have secondary cats intact and should be fine. Issue is that the O2 sensors are before those secondary cats so you will still get a check engine light. Easiest fix for that is simple the O2 defoulers, it's like a spacer for the downstream sensors. I have PPE EL headers and they came with a pair of GESI cats, but I just haven't had them welded into the mid-pipe yet. They do sound great.

You are correct that performance parts for 2015-2019 will also fit on 2020+.

Are they offering OBDII compliant headers now?! I had heard they (or maybe Sikky) were working on headers with integrated cats. Or do you mean the normal headers with a set of cats that will need to be welded into the mid-pipe?

 

Well I'm just finishing up installing a set of PPE Equal Length Headers onto my Apexi cat back exhaust system for my 2018 RCF. I choose NOT to add "cats" to any part of the exhaust as I'm not in a state that requires "inspection". I installed the Apexi cat back exhaust earlier this past summer and I love the sound and look. But I wanted the additional power and sound of actual headers. I almost went with Novel as originally I was told only around 8 weeks for delivery, however, I heard later on that "they have no idea when they'd be delivered and Novel has over 3,000 back orders. Once I saw that, via an email, I decided to move to PPE Equal Length Headers with "silver" ceramic coating and no CATS. I installed the Apexi cat back in my garage myself and while I had planned to pay to have my buddies shop install the header's, he wanted no part of the job so I decided to do it myself. My 2018 only has 15K miles on it and it's really never seen rain, and certainly not a winter, ala "salted roads", so the car has ZERO rust anywhere underneath, making this job actually not bad at all. I'm pretty mechanical and have upwards of 75K in Snap On tools in my garage. The PPE headers are VERY Nice looking and they fit and clear everything perfectly. My only major complaint were the terrible installation instructions. For being made here in the US, I expected the instructions to be very clear, concise, and leaving few questions for the installation. That was NOT the case at all. I wasted a lot of hours trying to figure out the instructions, what exactly was required to be removed to do the installation, and I found several additional things that had to be removed to install the header's. I wasted a lot of time going by the instructions trying to remove various engine parts when in the end, additional items had to be removed in order to get some engine part removed or to install the header's. The actual "order of removal" left some to be desired too. Now that I've done this job, if I had to do it again, I could do it much, much, faster and with alot less aggravation. It states "professional installation recommended / install time = 8 hours". If I had to do it again, here in my garage with the vehicle body only 20 inches off the ground, I could do it inside that 8 hoursi believe. It really wasn't that difficult at all, made all the easier by my car having zero rust. If anyone has any questions on installing these PPE Equal Length Headers, feel free to hit me up. Looking back, I wish I had taken some photos and videos of the installation, but if anyone needs help or has any questions, I'll definitely respond to you and try to offer any help I can provide.
I'll post back once I get the opportunity to drive the car. I'm in cold, snowy, Minnesota so the car is going to be moved to climate controlled storage some time this week. I'll take some video and get some sound of the car with the PPE Equal Length Headers now installed with the full Apexi Exhaust.

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Passenger Side Stock Exhaust Manifold and PPE EL Header

Equal Length Tig Welded Tubes #1

Equal Length Tig Welded Tubes #2

PPE Flange Thickness

Equal Length Tig Welded Collector to Mid-Pipe Flange (lower)

Upper O2 Sensor Hole

PPE Equal Length Headers

PPE Head Flange (upper)

 

Rolla, any idea if we would be able to upgrade/install the new intake they're using now on our older RCF's? Wasn't sure if it was an airbox design or complete tube?

 

I think you mean the 2015 - 2019 RCF with the 2020+ RCF intake? Yes, of course. All of the parts are 100% swappable.