I'm looking for a cheap exhaust for my stock 04 wrx (it has a cai), but i don't have a lot of technological background. What's the difference between a turboback and a catback? Will a turboback bolt on directly to the stock parts? Which pipe is the uppipe and which one is the downpipe, i'm always confused ? I was looking on ebay (cause it's cheaper), and I saw a scooby turboback (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ch.ebay.com:80/8006180373_W0QQfromZR40QQfviZ1 ), but i've heard that they have leaks sometimes. Will I be able to install a bolt-on exhaust myself (no welding?)? Do you guys have any recommendations for a cheap complete exhaust, preferably one that's street legal? Whoo, that's a lot of ???? Val
Alright.. for starters there are several components of the wrx exhaust system. The up pipe is the peice that goes between the headers and the turbo, the down pipe is the one that comes off of the turbo and continues on to the rest of the exhaust (which consists of a catalitic converter, an inermidiate pipe and the axle back section... together the axleback and intermediate pipe make up the cat-back. the wrx has 3 cats(catalitic converters)... one in the up pipe, one in the down pipe and one right after the down pipe. from what i have read the up pipe and down pipe are the most restrictive parts of the whole system. as far as installing an exhaust system... most if not all cat-backs, Axle-backs, and turbo-backs are bolt ons... meaning NO welding.. they are pretty easy to put on... you just need some basic tool and some jack stands. As far as choice of exhaust goes.. personaly i would NOT go with ebay exhausts unless they are used name brand ones. the turbo back will give you the most power though it is usually the most expensive... if you are just looking for the sound but not as much power increase i would say just get the axle-back section (the muffeler section).. try looking on NASIOC.com in the classifieds section for good used exhasts... I hope this helped...
well put clay! getting rid of your uppipe or having it gutted(removing the cat from it) is the best thing to do. The perrin exhaust to me is the best one out for the wrx but thats me. If your looking for sound you will do well with a catback, however catback+downpipe in most situations will gain you more sound. You can get 2 forms of downpipes. 1. being the straight pipe with no cat, and 2. being the catted pipe. Alot of people got with the 3" exhaust which will give you a lot more sound. most exhausts are 3" for a subi anywayz minus ones like the Espilar. Like Clay said though your down pipe and catback are after your turbo and that is considered your Turbo Back Exhaust. If you look under neath your radiator from above the hood you will see the upipe which connects to the header that you cant see. As for diff exhausts come to a get together and ask to hear everyones exhausts. I have the GP moto turbo back exhaust with straight pipes and it runs about 800+ship for the whole system. I believe the Perrin is around 600.00 or maybee a little less, and the HKS carbon fiber titanium catback is another good one that will run you around 550+ as well. good luck!
A lot of the guys on here go with the Helix Up-pipe/downpipe combo at Gruppe S. Something around $400 for both pipes, a little more for a catted downpipe. Today was really the first time I've thought my car was stinky with one cat, but that was a cold start in 46 degree weather. Come to a meet and listen to different people's setups and find what you like, I'm very happy with my APS turboback but it is a little pricey.
i have a gutted up pipe and it has been flawless and saved me some money..i would suggest getting a flexed uppipe versus a solid to avoid leaks. as far as turbo backs there are plenty out there to choose from..i have an invidia turboback and have been very pleased with it..
gruppe-s has a well priced power package... click here and look at the stage 1... for the parts included, the price is one of the best ive ever seen
These guys pretty much answered all of your queries. However, there is no complete exhaust setup that is technically street legal. However, if by "legal" you mean "pass emmisions/inspection", then having at least one cat in there (after the uppipe of course), as well as having CEL fixes will do the job.
If you are willing to buy today, I can get you 40% off on any invidia product. For the WRX/STi they make the n1, n1r, g200 (ti tip) and titanium n1r (although I'm almost 100% that this is discontinued). All of these are straight through 3" exhausts with amazing build quality and great sound. Lemme know
i just got a turboXS downpipe and mid pipe and I'm lovin it!!!...i had a random tech exhaust and up pipe already....my favorite exhaust is the blitz NurSpec...crazy loud!!
Thanks for the answers, guys. Everything makes sense now. I'll keep looking at online stores for a good power/price combo for a catback and downpipe, or for a turboback.
Seriously. Now I'd be wary about used suspension parts or something, but exhausts? It's a steel pipe. It don't get any simpler n' that.
so let me ask you guys this: the "leagal" issue. if you leave one cat in the system, do you leave the last one; the mid-pipe section? also, can the up and down pipes be gutted, or just the up pipe? and the last one, is the exhaust system the best way to get rid of the low RPM turbo lag?
technically tampering with the factory emmissions equipment is illegal... but if u wanna leave a cat in there, i'd recommend u ditch all the factory cats and get a downpipe with a hi flow cat i guess u could gut the downpipe too but it would be a major pain in the ass... ur better off going with an aftermarket downpipe since the flow characteristics should be better due to the larger diameter full exhaust will do wonders... that along with properly tuned engine management will be icing on the cake
You can leave the stock last one if you want. It's far cheaper, but it's a liitle more restrictive than a high flow cat (maybe 5 hp) Or you can put a high flow somewhere in there. It's up to you. Yes, both the uppipe and downpipe can be gutted. With an uppipe and downpipe the lag will be significantly reduced.
gutting can be a pretty lengthy process..it can/has been done at an install day however i would not recommend trying to do this..if you are in a rush a small fragment of cat left in the uppipe can destroy your turbo
well then, manufactured parts only for me! thanks for the heads-up. can a up/dp be done at an install day? i don't trust myself to do it without "adult" supervision. :hsnono: i'm guessing 3-4 hours?
Yeah no emmisions for a long time for the 05 owners cant remember how many years until you do, but its long enough away 2years plus, that I wouldnt worry about smog, just swap something in emmisions time if you get worried.
the wonderful thing about georgia and OBD-II cars is that they only plug the car in, as long as there are no CEL's you pass, there arent any 4-wheel drive stations i know about.
no emmissions for people out of metro either:fawk: . that is the only benefit living out in BFE.:wtc:
The gutting itself, from what I understand, isn't that difficult, you just have to make sure you get everything out. The hard part is taking out/putting back in the part in question, especially the uppipe. A gutted stock UP is actually a very good solution: you get the moderate heat shielding, stock diameter and look, and you know it fits perfectly. Dirt cheap as well. The downpipe I wouldn't recommend gutting, unless you're REALLY strappped for cash. Aftermarket ones are lighter as well as bigger/better and relatively cheap.
hey jkass85, here's a good deal on a back box that bluelinescooby is selling http://forums.wrxatl.com/showthread.php?t=2668 its a good deal if you don't want too loud of an exhaust