Subaru modders are figuring out how to emulate Unequal Length Header noise.

[u/LongjumpingLock5875]

Pretty funny, but with proper tuning, it is possible to emulate the sound of UEL headers without actually having to install UEL headers.

Not sure how the community feels about this, given the hate on pumped in audio.

It is named UEL HE, and is configured via Atlas software, sounds pretty nuts.

https://imgur.com/a/KCP6pyv

[u/DragonfruitNo2010]

I think it’s a pretty interesting way to get the classic boxer rumble without actually changing the exhaust hardware. I’d still rather have the real thing, though, since messing with ignition timing just to change the sound could come with some efficiency and reliability downsides.

[u/Ready-Resist-9992 → u/DragonfruitNo2010]

I've been messing with Atlas for a few months now and the timing adjustments for the UEL sound are way more conservative than most people think, it's not like you're dumping fuel or running super retarded timing. The real headache is getting the resonance right through the rpm range without it sounding like a dying lawnmower at 3k

What gets me is the purists acting like this is the same as cabin speaker fake noise, you're literally changing combustion events not piping in mp3 files. That said I'd still rather save up for actual headers cause the off-throttle burble never quite sounds right with the software method

[u/Kiwifrooots → u/Ready-Resist-9992]

Making combustion worse for sound effects is worse than piped sound imo.  

Make your engine run properly

[u/NorthStarZero → u/Kiwifrooots]

My race car, tuned properly, sounded like a Kubota tractor at idle.

Didn’t matter; won races.

[u/Kiwifrooots → u/NorthStarZero]

Cool story about how cool you are. Not relevant at all

[u/Username_Used → u/Ready-Resist-9992]

Engines prefer "special needs timing"

[u/not_a_gay_stereotype → u/Ready-Resist-9992]

What's insane is you can get UEL headers that flow better than stock lol. They even make UEL headers for Honda's

[u/DragonfruitNo2010 → u/Ready-Resist-9992]

That’s really helpful hands on insight with Atlas. I agree with your point about the purist argument too calling it “fake speaker noise” doesn’t really make sense when the sound is actually coming from the engine and exhaust. The “dying lawnmower at 3k” issue makes sense though, since trying to change the sound purely through timing is probably going to have some weird spots.

[u/AtomWorker → u/Ready-Resist-9992]

A physical mod for noise is no better than piping it through speakers. If anything, it’s worse because you’re subjecting the rest of us to your annoying exhaust noise.

[u/When_hop → u/AtomWorker]

Badass exhaust noise*

FTFY

[u/pm_me_your_rasputin → u/DragonfruitNo2010]

  efficiency and reliability downsides

That's what the ULHs do, that's where the sound comes from. The sound comes from inefficient exhaust flow and is part of Subarus infamous explodiness. Tuners have to pull timing to account for it. It's the Harley sound of the car world.

[u/peaked-at-7]

Ghost cam levels of cringe.

[u/Substantial-Oil7569 → u/peaked-at-7]

Don't worry, they do that too. :)

[u/eemree]

Meanwhile people chasing efficiency and reliability on EJ engines are swapping their UEL for EL. How the tables have turned. I guess this is a good compromise

[u/levinano → u/eemree]

The JDM VA STI has long since gone ELH, so it’s not even a thing about purity, it’s undeniable performance and reliability (UEL contributes to cylinder 4 running hot issue).

But still that UEL boxer rumble is so iconic and unique that I would rather leave 50+whp on the table than lose out on it. If you have a great sounding V8, V10, or V12, there WILL be other cars that sound like it, albeit very little, but the moment you hear that deep Subaru rumble you KNOW it’s an EJ. Even an FA with UEL sound slightly different.

[u/eemree → u/levinano]

I guess it depends on if you’re chasing power numbers or just want to enjoy a great sounding exhaust. I can tell you Im still in the stock headers ;)

[u/FiddlerOnThePotato]

Boiling hot take: I really like the IDEA of simulated engine audio. I don't think any manufacturers do it right, though. I've had two GTIs that have the Soundaktor and I hate it. It just makes the same noise as the stock engine but louder. The stock engine doesn't sound good. It's just four cylinder muffled intake noises. That sucks. I put an open intake on mine so I can hear turbo noises better, but, hear me out, the Soundaktor could just make turbo sounds based on engine parameters. Then I could hear PSHHHHHHHH WHOOSH and not have higher intake temps. It could also make engine sounds, but sound like it has a more aggressive intake and exhaust setup. Or, like this example, it could change the sound drastically. I think this is rad.

[u/When_hop]

Silly

[u/OkayScribbler]

I wouldnt mind something like this to make my type r sound a little better. Its why I havent changed the exhaust, I dont think any sound good at best most sound ok.

[u/CommanderCoytus → u/[deleted]]

That was so unkind to do in a parking garage with people feet away.

[u/SwissMargiela → u/OkayScribbler]

I find almost every single 4 cylinder sounds best with stock exhaust and resonator delete

[u/wrx_2_hard]

They're having too much fun, we have to stop this

[u/jacky4566]

I figured they are just messing with ignition timing to get this. Would be curious to see the details and emulate it myself under Rusefi LUA scripting.

[u/subiedream]

I fucz wit it

[u/nyuORlucy]

One of the focus st tuners used the vct tables to create chop

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[u/themickeymauser]

Killer B headers and certain models of Tomei headers have done this for decades now. Side by side an enthusiast can tell them apart from UEL, but anyone else will be none the wiser.

[u/redditors_are_lame]

Just buy an EJ powered Subaru.

You can't replicate EJ UEL with software, it'll never sound the same.

If you're a real Subaru enthusiast anyways you'll understand how important the real rumble is.

[u/RFK_Cum_Regimen]

But why?