my car currently has a 2.5" cat back system. before i bought it i also test drove a stock ap1.

now the stock ap1 did seem faster to me.

my question is will adding generic branded 2.5" stainless steel headers be better, no effect or lose more power?

 

That's not a question that can really be answered.

A 'generic branded' header (we only have one) could be better or worse than stock.

And to be honest, there's little chance it's better.

 

yeh okay sounds like would be a waste of time.

is it often that you lose power from modding? i know with the s2000 it can be the case due to the stock parts being quite good.

just curious if the cat back system i have is losing me power or if it my imagination.

the seller claimed it was a magnaflow system (though i cant find it on the net) it looks exactly like the TODA exhaust tips (dump pipe) but not in titanium

 

Can't imagine it would lose you power if it is a good diameter and the joins and split are good.

 

Very few exhaust lose power (it's more of an issue that they just don't make any gains), and those that do it would be in the order of 1-4hp hardly something you could feel. If you really think that your car is on the weak side, take it to a dyno. Expect to make ~190-205 depending on the type of dyno. If you are low, do a compression test, check plugs/wires.

Also do you have after market wheels? If you do and they are larger than stock, they could be the culprit.

 

I noticed when I had my buddyclub spec IV exhaust that in the lower rev range 2-4k rpm, the car felt like it had lost some torque compared to the stock exhaust, when I went back to stock it felt much better in this region, although I have no concrete proof to back this up.

8-9krpm did seem a lot better with the single exhaust though...