im not a big fan of dyno queens as every dyno is different...i think its a good tool though to get a base and to show what improvements youve made over your base tune...
as far as the increased thickness...yes itll add more weight...but i think its worth the sacrifice knowing you can wrap your exhaust knowing you have a little more that wont rust out or be prone to cracks after many heat cycles....hell itll probably outlast the car
i cant say this wins or beats all hands down...i do though like the quality of what they have to offer...

heres what FR shows to all on the internet and their dyno and stated...
Here's the first dyno chart with a comparison of the FULL-RACE vs APS manifold this was just using the APS tune and swapping to the Full-Race manifold and adding fuel (but no timing or boost) to make it safe:
Dotted Line = Full-Race Turbo Manifold
Solid Line = APS


Here's the Dyno chart comparing the conservatively tuned FULL-RACE vs STOCK manifold keeping as many tuned parameters identical a/f, timing, and others beyond my comprehension:
Dotted Line = Full-Race Turbo Manifold
Solid Line = Stock STi Manifold

 

http://www.daddysscp.com/dcart4/prod...9&cat=0&page=1
here you go same thing as tomei half price
i remember them saying they come from the same plant as tomei

 

My biggest question is if whatever you pay for a FR or Tomei one versus a cheaper one like Gruppe-s or whatever is worth it. I mean if the difference is $400...why not just take the money and put it into something else for more bang for the buck?

 

I think if you are serious about hp and performance gain, then I see the reason to get a set of FR header. The build quality is awesome. And the results speak for themselves but for avg folks I don't think it applies.

You get what you paid for. I do hear failures on the cheaper header. There is a reason why the OEM one is thick n heavy. (Besides constructed from cast iron)

 

exactly!!! just as good!!!!
here you go NEW & Stainless!!! & save a lot of mula for other go fast parts
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Exhau...3286.m14.l1318

 

I think you found a winner!!

 

i think a manifold is the only thing i wouldnt get from ebay... the mad dad one looks nice, is made from the same factory that makes the tomei and has a 2 year warranty with a 2week satisfation guarantee even if installed cant go wrong with that

 

Yea, I've also heard good things about mad dad. Too bad I got a set already...

 

whats spooky is finding a set of look alikes... especially after hearing about how some companies just spend the money to buy a good set...then send it out to places like china to reproduce the same item at a fraction of the cost since china has no patent laws....

since maddad and tomei has their exhausts made @ the same factory...i suppose you cant go wrong...and im sure tomei wouldnt put their name on just any ol parts...could there be a difference in materials they use? this is what im guessing...would also explain the big difference in price...then again just the name TOMEI will bump the price on anything....just like theres many different grades of stainless...some more resistant to rust than other...then again even the best can have a bad product...even FR...but it would be them to correct the problem and fix your bad part to gain your confidence again.

 

nice numbers...is that your car with the FR header installed?

 

one can wish and dream