Choosing an exhaust system. Performance/Noise

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by flip, Apr 5, 2006.

  1. flip

    flip Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2006
    Messages:
    658
    Likes Received:
    0
    So i think it's time to start modding the STi. The first thing i would like to do is upgrade my exhaust system. I've done a good bit of looking around and am sort of familiar with the popular ones, cobb, invidia, etc.... I'm pretty sure I want to get a turbo back system. I like the idea of the cobb stage 2 because it comes with the access port which i would be getting anyway and it is already pretuned for that exhaust but for cash purposes i'd rather just go ahead and get the exhaust now, the get the AP a little while later. I found a page that has pictures of a ton of exhausts so i know what most look like and can hear what some sound like but you can't really tell how loud an exhaust is on a computer.

    Here is what i want:

    1) Good performance (of corse)
    2) Looks good. I like a decent size tip so the actual can doesn't stick out the back of the car.
    3) Sounds good. I like the deep clean rumble. I like it to be a little loud but not real loud. Something that might compare to my old gredy evo2 on my integra. I know our cars are going to be louder and meaner sound ing (which is good). The evo2 was clean, it wasn't too loud in the cab, but sounded awesome when you craned it and when getting on it. I want to be able to hear my music in my cab and stuff and not get a headache when just crusing on long trips and such.
    4) Cost - Trying to get something around 500-600 turboback. Is this possible? Used but well taken care of is ok...


    Thanks rolling_trip for the image...

    [​IMG]

    If anyone knows about where others would stand in the runnings with these let me knwo and i'll add them in...
     
    #1 flip, Apr 5, 2006
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2006
  2. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    That price isnt going to be easy for a full TBE. A quality exhaust is well worth the money. A downpipe will easily run you over $200, a quality catback will run you $500-700. I have the invidia, you've heard my car, its far from quiet, but it is not the loudest setup either. I am full catless mind you.

    There are a lot of great exhausts out there, and I simply love my invidia. I bought it because not that many people around these parts have them. Fit and finish is excellent. Invidia and Helix are basically the same company (see nissan and infinity, toyota and lexus, etc). Both have great products.

    I would recommend you send a PM to sakari and see what deals he can hook you up with. In the end all, of the exhausts, as long as their 3" mandrel bent are going tod o the same thing. What you are paying for is the quality of the work and the sound. Also, the bling, if thats how you ball ;)

    Hope this helps, PM me anytime if you have any questions.
     
  3. flip

    flip Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2006
    Messages:
    658
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah that does help. I really need to get some of you guys to take me for a ride so i can hear it from the inside. I've never ridden in a wrx with an exhaust... Almost every one i've heard with exhaust sounds great so i guess it boils down to inside cab noise.

    Alex, will you be at the varsity meet thursday?

    just pm'd sakari...
     
    #3 flip, Apr 5, 2006
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2006
  4. monk

    monk <b>The Kitchen Ninja!!!!</b>

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2005
    Messages:
    2,074
    Likes Received:
    0
    well if the price wasn't as much an issue i would highly recommend a prodrive system. nice and quiet in regular driving, but i've been told it sounds pretty sick when it's opened up (sounds good to me in the cabin too, but reasonable even when opened up) alex could probably elaborate, he's heard it at the track plenty now.

    however getting back to the price, i believe the UP alone was something like 600$ or something like that. it's a real solid setup though, and covered by sog if purchased and installed by them.
     
  5. rolling_trip

    rolling_trip Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,217
    Likes Received:
    0
    you may want to consider Borla "Hush" series for catback, and go with a highflow catted downpipe, also this might help

    [​IMG]
     
  6. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
    Messages:
    12,774
    Likes Received:
    1
    im going to have the blitz nur spec-r catback installed either today or tomorrow.... hopefully in time for the varsity meet... this is probably one of the loudest exhausts available but i absolutely love the tone... i had it on my WRX and i ordered the exact same thing for my STi... also it wasnt too loud in the cabin cuz i could still hear the crappy wrx stock stereo fine...

    one word of adice though... if u are going turbo-back, be prepared to drop some money on engine management... a decent number of STi's with free flowing exhausts tend to run into boost creep issues... most of these can be fixed with EM but some require porting the wastegate... since its starting to get warmer, i doubt u will run into this problem much but just something to be aware of
     
  7. Goose013

    Goose013 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2005
    Messages:
    641
    Likes Received:
    0
    SCOOBYSPORT! sounds like a group N rally car at high rpm. good rumble at low-med rpm but not too loud. I think it was only 87 db. check www.rallyperformance.com or www.haywardandscott.com there is actually one for sale on nasioc right now, up-pipe back for a great price.
     
  8. FTZ

    FTZ ^.^

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,572
    Likes Received:
    1
    I will most likely be at the Varisty on Thursday. I have one of the few Scoobysports on the board. At idle, you can't really tell there is an aftermarket Exhaust. At WOT, it sounds like a Group N Rally Car. At half throttle, it sounds good, not overly loud, but loud enough that you can clearly hear the boxer rumble. If you want to go for a ride thursday, I would be more than happy to take you.
     
  9. lostinthewoods

    lostinthewoods Frisco Tx Baller

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2005
    Messages:
    3,418
    Likes Received:
    0
    rolling trip , mchan and myself all have the Perrin Single Tip. very very nice sound and looks purty to :)
     
  10. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    Do you want a stock look or fart can? Hey, before you say something, I loved my angled can :D
     
  11. Weapon

    Weapon 90lbs of dynamite
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2005
    Messages:
    6,875
    Likes Received:
    0
    bump for Invidia! :banana:
     
  12. Brian

    Brian Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2005
    Messages:
    1,236
    Likes Received:
    0
    My HKS Hiper cat back was fine until I switched from the B&B cat DP to the Perrin DP. I think it's too loud now. Anyhow, I'm looking to sell the B&B cat DP if you're interested. (<$200)
     
  13. clemsonscooby

    clemsonscooby Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2005
    Messages:
    1,536
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have the HKS hyper catback for the WRX. Its not what I would consider loud unless you have eliminated all cats, but any exhaust would sound loud at that point.
     
  14. FTZ

    FTZ ^.^

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,572
    Likes Received:
    1
    Not necessarily, it all depends on the Diameter of the piping. I am running a fully catless Exhaust, straight pipe all the way, even took out the Resonator and my car is not overly loud and more importantly doesn't drone at highway speeds which would drive me nuts on a long ride. If you have a 3 in diameter, it will be loud. The Scoobysport is a 2.5 inch and it is not very loud unless you really step on it.

    Milos car was/will be loud even at idle, but again that is a 3 inch or at the very least a 2.75 if such size actually exists.
     
  15. Goose013

    Goose013 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2005
    Messages:
    641
    Likes Received:
    0
    I agree with wrxfan420, I have the same setup and I'm very pleased with it. no droning and mean at full throttle
     
  16. wrxbacano

    wrxbacano Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2005
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    What if, A good downpipe with a cat, a muffler from E-bay or somethig and get a 3 inch cat-back made @ a muffler shop????????
     
  17. longfury

    longfury Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Messages:
    1,198
    Likes Received:
    0
    I always loved my Stromung. Its about $430 at www.boxer4racing.com. I also had the Stromung 3" divorced wastegate DP on my car.

    I can't wait to get another WRX and put another Stromung on it.
     
  18. GTscoob

    GTscoob Black is Beautiful

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2004
    Messages:
    4,813
    Likes Received:
    1
    I like my APS exhaust a lot. The downpipe design is kinda wierd and I get some boost creep. It's a fairly quiet exhaust but with my shorter gearing it does tend to drone a little bit, but I'm young so I turn up the music :p
     
  19. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    When I went to chose an exhuast, I wanted as little rasp as possible. The car is complimented constantly. Even today infact, I had someone come up and say "is that a subaru, it doesnt sound like one".
     
  20. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think the HKS Hi Power sounds GREAT. My B&B catback with the ERZ downpipe has gotten compliments. Somewhat subtle with a mean growl at WOT.
     
  21. bigb996

    bigb996 teh Wannabe Mod

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    Messages:
    2,403
    Likes Received:
    7
    freakin perrin man! it sounds awsome and you will get good gains.
     
  22. Sakari Motorsports

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have HKS hipower and Invidia v2 downpipe.

    Invidia products just impresses me everytime I see it. The welds and the design is just the best quality I've seen.

    I have my old downpipe from Nopi that I just replaced with Invidia v2 with turbo install. I was shopping for a TBE when I first bought the car and Nopi had their own brand "Number 1" which was bellmouth design so I chose that over the HKS that they had in stock. Paid ~$180 + tax (Note that this was before I started Sakari). I will throw in the Number 1 downpipe for free with the purchase of the exhaust system so you can have your TBE setup for $5-600 budget. The nopi one isn't bad for the time being... but I suggest you switch it out later on with Invidia or other brands that you prefer. Let me know if you are interested. ;)

    Also, Joe (JL889) has a Fujitsubo 3.5" exhaust with Invidia v1 downpipe... I actually thought about switching to fujitsubo. I still might... just have other things to buy before that ;)
     
  23. WrxCrazy

    WrxCrazy Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2005
    Messages:
    1,227
    Likes Received:
    0
    i'm running with greddy evo II AND IT'S THE QUIETST ever head..
     
  24. Sakari Motorsports

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    Messages:
    613
    Likes Received:
    0
    wrxcrazy, you put the invidia catted dp on?
     
  25. WrxCrazy

    WrxCrazy Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2005
    Messages:
    1,227
    Likes Received:
    0
    why yes sir.. and it's still quiet..
    have to put that up pipe in and see how quiet it stays tho it's a little deep now but way quiet then before
     
  26. 1ll-WRX

    1ll-WRX Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2005
    Messages:
    2,819
    Likes Received:
    0
    random tech....FTW:p ....not as nice looking as angled cans (in my opinion) and it has to be de-rusted every month but I love the sound....
     
  27. catch31

    catch31 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2006
    Messages:
    79
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have Invidia V2 w/ Invidia G200 Catback and it sounds great... in low rpms not much louder than idle... but terriffic at wot.... bought for 550 used... but Excellent coundition... where you live at???
     
  28. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
    Messages:
    12,774
    Likes Received:
    1
  29. flip

    flip Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2006
    Messages:
    658
    Likes Received:
    0
    I might have to take you up on that...

    I don't want stock looking i do like the can's because they are streight through. I like both, streight and angled. i've had both and loved both on my old integra... I think i'm leaning torward streight tho, but if i find one for the right price, sound and performance then it won't really matter :).

    Very possibly. I don't know much yet about piecing a system together yet. Can anyone give me tips on that? Does it mater which you get with the other? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a cat/no cat on the dp? is it just emissions vs better flowing? I don't want to go buy parts then find out i put them together incorrectly and just have to buy new stuff :).

    That is what i'm looking for :). I don't like the coffee can sound at all. I like deep clean rumble...

    i'm off of bells ferry in north marietta...

    I REALLY lke the look of that and how you describe the sound... I do want loud but want it clean and don't want the droning...

    One other thing, does catback for us mean DP back? I've been under my car but can't remember if there was a seperate cat...

    I'm full of questions tonight... If i get say an exhaust that is not cobb, can i get the cobb AP and use any of their stock maps with the different exhaust or is it tuned strictly for their exhaust??
     
    #29 flip, Apr 6, 2006
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2006
  30. bluelinescooby

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2005
    Messages:
    400
    Likes Received:
    0
    I had a ScoobySport setup on my '02 WRX and really liked it a lot. With my '05 WRX I wanted something with 3" piping and more volume, so I sold the SS :wtc: and got a Helix turboback for a great price. Loud and deep. :D I've got a video from a dyno day but no way to host it......

    I'm leaning towards another ScoobySport for my STi cuz I miss it so much :wtc:
     
  31. lostinthewoods

    lostinthewoods Frisco Tx Baller

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2005
    Messages:
    3,418
    Likes Received:
    0
    [​IMG]

    droooooool.....perrin
     
  32. flip

    flip Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2006
    Messages:
    658
    Likes Received:
    0
    You can host videos and images on darkrume.com :)
     
  33. FTZ

    FTZ ^.^

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,572
    Likes Received:
    1
    You can use AP with any Exhaust. The map for the Cobb Components is probably a little more fine tuned, but will work equally as well with any other brand exhaust. Or their are other maps available depending on the exhaust you choose.

    Milos exhaust on his WRX was the nicest sounding exhaust in my Opinion, however, on a long car ride it may be too much, however it came with a silencer that I don't think he ever used. That would definitely help with thr drone.

    Catback for us is from the midpipe back. We have a cat in the midpipe along with the up and downpipes. It is more of an axle back then a catback. Your best option, if you want to keep your car emissions legal would be to, get a catless up and downpipe, keep the Midpipe cat and get an Axle Back or Muffler.
     
  34. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    Milo where you get your exhaust?
     
  35. miloman

    miloman Retired Admin

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
    Messages:
    12,774
    Likes Received:
    1
  36. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    flip, I used to not like the angled look but its a change of pace to see some shiny bling back there :rofl:

    it sorta grows on you *sniff*
     
  37. BelvnAWD

    BelvnAWD I'm Vin, Bell-Vin...

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2004
    Messages:
    2,786
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have had the Blitz and the silencer does make a huge difference in the sound levles. But, the silencer also really cuts into the low end of the car. Very noticeable reduction in power at the bottom end with the silencer in.
     
  38. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    I would like to get just the canister and make it fit my custom midpipe.....that thing sounds wicked!
     
  39. bigb996

    bigb996 teh Wannabe Mod

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    Messages:
    2,403
    Likes Received:
    7
    really all the exhausts on the boxer sound amazing imo...especially on a sti. Perrin has the best roar other than the blitz, althuogh they are both diff sounds. I have a normally overlooked exhaust the GP moto catted. I like it and got a good gain.
     
  40. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    Cool video ;)
     
  41. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    invidia > teh perrin ;)
     
  42. flip

    flip Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2006
    Messages:
    658
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah i like the video, and the exhaust sounds awesome. I think i've decided to do that. When i get time i'll try to toss in some sounds for all the exhausts on my first posts along with some pics for the more popular ones... Maybe it will be helpful to someone else trying to choose...
     
  43. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    I can see about making a video for ya if you are interested in hearing the invidia?
     
  44. rolling_trip

    rolling_trip Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,217
    Likes Received:
    0
    hey, watch your mouth! them there fighting words!:thumbsdow
     
  45. ScoobyMike

    ScoobyMike OG Mod

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2004
    Messages:
    2,952
    Likes Received:
    0
    well post it up mr.alex
     
  46. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    Ill get some footage on the way over to Moose's place this evening. If I can swing by Milo's and have Amol get the footage off the cam for me I can have a video up Sunday afternoon.
     
  47. WrxCrazy

    WrxCrazy Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2005
    Messages:
    1,227
    Likes Received:
    0
    milo's car sounds great
     
  48. Deke

    Deke Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2006
    Messages:
    2,694
    Likes Received:
    0

    Priorities? Haha there better be a mountain cruise video posted before an exhaust show.
     
  49. 1ll-WRX

    1ll-WRX Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2005
    Messages:
    2,819
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's what I'm talkin bout....:ddirty:
     
  50. Alex

    Alex Community Founder
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Messages:
    15,892
    Likes Received:
    20
    Lol, I'll get everything I can taken off the camera. As it stands, I do not have a capture card so it makes this quite difficult :fawk:
     

Share This Page