Gutting up/dp/mp Question

[darroj]

Sorry for another newb question, but I have the feeling I'll get much better answers here than anyplace else...

So I've been looking around trying to figure out the real truth about gutting stock up/dp/mp...  Nasioc has about 100 different posts and explanations.  Some say gutting stock stuff to go catless makes your car smell and makes it quite loud.  I've read that gutted uppipes seem to be ok, but what about dp/mp?

So what is the REAL scoop on taking stock uppipes, downpipes, and midpipes and gutting them.  Which are safe? Which will let me get past inspection (if any)? What are the true pros and cons of gutting each pipe? Gutted stockers versus aftermarket?  How necessary in EM with gutted pieces (I do plan on getting an AP, lost an ebay auction the other day )?  I do plan on getting a catback at somepoint too (was thinking prodrive oval tip...)

Thanks all, maybe one day I won't be a newb 

-Jeff

[WRXWGN]

I gutted my up/down/mid not very hard at all.  As long as you drill it out and not try to break it out (Right Fred).

The up you have to be careful with because you don't want to leave anything in it at all (if you do it can be sucked threw and damage your turbo).

The two reasons that I did it is cost and visual inspection !
 
It will be much louder ! 

It will be a lot better than stock but will not be as good as aftermarket because you prob get better flow.

[darroj]

thanks! I'll be gutting UP this weekend, and i think i'm lined up to get aftermarket dp and mid.  I read the write up on the uppipe fix [http://webpages.charter.net/baraboo_halls/auto/wrx/up/uppipe_fix.html] - any tips they don't mention? I read elsewhere to do this in water to prevent dust from flying around, that alright to do?

[darroj]

sooo i'm trying to gut this SOB. ive got the center out and the outer ring is free of the sides, but now that its loose, i can't get the last piece of out the pipe. its loose enough it bounces around.  Can't figure out a good way to drill it (tried grabbing it with pliars and drilling it, no go) I've tried just pulling it out with pliars, cant push it through, pipe too long and has that bend...

so basically, how do i remove more material so i can get this thing out?

[nk]

I have a gutted UP as well- but I didn't do the gutting myself.  From what I hear, most guys use a dremel toll or drill with a grinder bit to just eat away at the cat.  Be sure to WEAR A MASK as the material you are ginding at is carcinogenic.  Sorry I couldn't be of more help

[STiPete]

STi up-pipes are cheap and I'll have mine off the car very soon 

[darroj]

i got that SOB  I ended up grabbing it with some pliars and then just drilling it excessively, finally got it..  Then I strapped the wirebrush onto the drill and cleaned it out (added some polish to it too!).  Then Devin cleaned it out for me again with some crazy chemical cleaner/rat poison he had

and i wore a respirator to be safe...