Topic: My TBE upgrade (formerly "Cracked catback?") (Read 1164 times)

Cholo · « **on:** May 27, 2011, 06:12:34 PM »

I've got a rusted-out exhaust so figure it's time to upgrade. All experienced advice regarding tune, etc. are appreciated. Original few first posts are below where I was trying to figure out exactly what was wrong.

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I'm guessing the exhaust is not supposed to have this kind of play? I haven't taken off the little guard/heat shield, but it seems pretty clear that the thing has rusted and broken in half. Pretty crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivk2TsVe8Ho

I've been getting a CEL P0171 for the past week or so. It went away for about a day then came back. I wasn't having any noticeable issue until yesterday when the car started sounding like there was a hole in the exhaust somewhere and there was a noticeable power loss. On idle I've also got a lot of back pressure. So it seems this is probably the culprit for the CEL.

Guess it's time to upgrade. Anyone have a nice catback in the Albany area and have somewhere to do the swap? If you do, I'd prefer getting something with a dual tip and not too loud. I've got an 02 WRX wagon. Thanks.

spoolordie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2011, 06:37:09 PM »

couple of them floating around

byrons got an invidia one thats real nice

or check the gimmick cat back or SRS cat back

Cholo · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2011, 06:45:24 PM »

Thanks man. Have you seen this happen before? I wouldn't ever expect the thing to crack in half like that.

Does that invidia mate up to the stock 2.5 down pipe? :thumbsup:

spoolordie · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2011, 10:34:25 PM »

Yeh never that but I broke my fair share of shit like an oem lateral link

As for the 3in cat back to stock dp it's been done with donut gaskets and spring bolts

dmjhockey19 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2011, 08:49:32 AM »

yeah my exhaust is 2.5 in to a 3in dp using a donut gasket and spring bolts like dan said. Its oem fitment

gebby1029 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2011, 11:00:24 AM »

I still have a catback adapter if needed. Also, I have a Greddy Evo 2 being posted up for sale soon. It's a single tip but it is at least straight and on the quieter side as far as exhausts go.

Cholo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2011, 07:04:06 PM »

Thanks all. So far, I'm figuring I'm gonna get the JNA knockoff exhaust along with this - http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/3_Downpipe_Adapter_Flange_for_02_07_Subaru_WRX_STI-2009-1.html . About to do some research if I should just go ahead and change my DP while I'm at it. Am I going to get more CEL's now? lol

Cholo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:25:23 PM »

Ok, so I just put in an order for this catback (thanks man!) and will probably be ordering the Invidia or Perrin catted downpipe. Invidia is a couple bucks cheaper but I hear nothing but good things about the Perrin.

Will I be getting any CEL's from this? Do I NEED to get a tune after installing the TBE or will I just be missing out on power gains? I plan to get a tune any way, I just have to budget it and want to know if I should plan on walking to work for a while lol.

I also plan on doing this ghetto-style with my roommate. I know I need to order 2 or 3 exhaust hangers (lots of people say the Kartboy XL's) and will have to rent some tools (I figure Autozone or other auto store will rent what I need, hopefully anyways). Maybe I'll rent some ramps too if they do that. I've read that I'll need to spray everything down with some degreaser of some kind to loosen up bolts. I think I read the gasket between the turbo and stock downpipe should still be good. And I guess I'll need a special tool for getting the 02 sensor out of the stock exhaust and into the new one?

Kavik · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2011, 09:51:41 PM »

Where are you at? I think autozone might loan o2 sensor sockets, but not sure about just basic tools or jacks
I used to swear by PB Blaster to loosen things up, but lately I've been loving the Freeze Off that I bought.

My personal suggestion would be new gaskets all around and yes to the tune ASAFP after. You might get a good seal out of the gasket again, but is it really worth risking having to take it all apart again just to save ~$10?

spoolordie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:18:41 AM »

Quote from: Cholo on June 15, 2011, 07:25:23 PM

Ok, so I just put in an order for this catback (thanks man!) and will probably be ordering the Invidia or Perrin catted downpipe. Invidia is a couple bucks cheaper but I hear nothing but good things about the Perrin.

Will I be getting any CEL's from this? Do I NEED to get a tune after installing the TBE or will I just be missing out on power gains? I plan to get a tune any way, I just have to budget it and want to know if I should plan on walking to work for a while lol.

I also plan on doing this ghetto-style with my roommate. I know I need to order 2 or 3 exhaust hangers (lots of people say the Kartboy XL's) and will have to rent some tools (I figure Autozone or other auto store will rent what I need, hopefully anyways). Maybe I'll rent some ramps too if they do that. I've read that I'll need to spray everything down with some degreaser of some kind to loosen up bolts. I think I read the gasket between the turbo and stock downpipe should still be good. And I guess I'll need a special tool for getting the 02 sensor out of the stock exhaust and into the new one?

02 wrx have the 16bit ecu they dont really have any problems with running a tbe w/o a tune

i ran my bugeye like 7kmi with a tbe and uppipe w/o a tune and so has a ton of people

but i would strongly recommend one to see the most gains

DSG and EFI lgoics are great places to go

you will get a cel for catt efficiency p0420

if you do an uppipe...highly highly recommend it you get and egt sensor code but a 2.2kohm resistor in the pig tail will satisfy that until opensource

uppipe is the best mod you could do on a 2.0L gets rid of that scary cat befor the turbo and helps you spool alot quicker

Bugeye Baru · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2011, 10:52:53 AM »

Quote from: Cholo on June 15, 2011, 07:25:23 PM

I also plan on doing this ghetto-style with my roommate. I know I need to order 2 or 3 exhaust hangers (lots of people say the Kartboy XL's)

Hey, I have before and after pictures on my home computer of when I changed out my XL Kartboys to regular size last fall. I'll post them up tonight if I remember so you can see. Different exhausts, I know, but it might be helpful.

Cholo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2011, 06:46:35 PM »

Quote from: Kavik on June 15, 2011, 09:51:41 PM

Where are you at? I think autozone might loan o2 sensor sockets, but not sure about just basic tools or jacks
I used to swear by PB Blaster to loosen things up, but lately I've been loving the Freeze Off that I bought.

My personal suggestion would be new gaskets all around and yes to the tune ASAFP after. You might get a good seal out of the gasket again, but is it really worth risking having to take it all apart again just to save ~$10?

I'm in Albany. Yeah, I haven't checked on the tool rentals yet. Thanks for the Freeze Off suggestion. So for gaskets, all I would need is the "donut" gasket between the turbo and DP, right? The exhaust I'm buying says it comes with gaskets & bolts.

Quote from: spoolordie on June 16, 2011, 10:18:41 AM

02 wrx have the 16bit ecu they dont really have any problems with running a tbe w/o a tune

i ran my bugeye like 7kmi with a tbe and uppipe w/o a tune and so has a ton of people

but i would strongly recommend one to see the most gains

DSG and EFI lgoics are great places to go

you will get a cel for catt efficiency p0420

if you do an uppipe...highly highly recommend it you get and egt sensor code but a 2.2kohm resistor in the pig tail will satisfy that until opensource

uppipe is the best mod you could do on a 2.0L gets rid of that scary cat befor the turbo and helps you spool alot quicker

Cool, good info. So even with the stock uppipe in place I'll be getting a CEL? I'm not planning on doing the uppipe right now, maybe in the future sometime.

Quote from: Bugeye Baru on June 16, 2011, 10:52:53 AM

Hey, I have before and after pictures on my home computer of when I changed out my XL Kartboys to regular size last fall. I'll post them up tonight if I remember so you can see. Different exhausts, I know, but it might be helpful.

Does a 3" exhaust melt the bumper when using stock-size exhaust hangers?

Bugeye Baru · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2011, 07:21:08 PM »

Quote from: Cholo on June 16, 2011, 06:46:35 PM

Does a 3" exhaust melt the bumper when using stock-size exhaust hangers?

I have no idea, though I'm sure you weren't asking just me....

I have the Borla Hush. I gave my longer hangers to Gebby. Hope this helps a little.

Kavik · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:40:18 PM »

Quote from: Cholo on June 16, 2011, 06:46:35 PM

I'm in Albany. Yeah, I haven't checked on the tool rentals yet. Thanks for the Freeze Off suggestion. So for gaskets, all I would need is the "donut" gasket between the turbo and DP, right? The exhaust I'm buying says it comes with gaskets & bolts.

Does a 3" exhaust melt the bumper when using stock-size exhaust hangers?

I've got the hand tools you'd need....but no place to offer to work on it

You don't need the 'donut' gasket...that's the one that goes between the stock mid-pipe (that second section of the two piece downpipe) and the stock cat-back
What you need is just the Turbot to Downpipe gasket. Call Fred at Capitaland, tell him what you're doing and he'll tell you know you need

As for the exhaust hangers....people have reported different things with that exhaust. Some had to have extended hangers some didn't. My guess is it's a cheap exhaust and not all the hangers are 110% in the exact same place at the exact same angle

Here, Skim this thread for pics and discussions: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1708267

Cholo · « **Reply #14 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:54:24 PM »

Thanks for the pics Bugeye Baru - looks good closer to the body like in the second pic. With the exhaust I bought I've seen a couple different things, some people saying it starts burning the back bumper area.

@ Kavik - thanks I was reading through that thread a lot before buying it. Most people there bought the XL hangers, but I'm debating a stock size bc I do like it nice and tight-fitting. I'm gonna check out the local Auto shop once I get both exhaust pieces. And then who knows, if they don't rent them, maybe I'll just have to find a good deal on some tools that always come in handy anyway. Or maybe I'll have to pay someone here with the tools and shop space to do it for me idk.

Cholo · « **Reply #15 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:14:18 PM »

One step closer! I thought I'd never find a used, catted DP as they all seem to get gobbled up so fast but I got lucky and picked up this one - http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2198398 . Should arrive Tuesday!

btw, how much does a Dyno tune usually end up costing? I see there's a new place nearby in Colonie.

Kavik · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2011, 11:25:26 PM »

with an O2 sensor bung already on it...nice

spoolordie · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:11:46 AM »

Quote from: Cholo on June 16, 2011, 06:46:35 PM

Cool, good info. So even with the stock uppipe in place I'll be getting a CEL? I'm not planning on doing the uppipe right now, maybe in the future sometime.

doing an uppipe while the DP is off is a great idea and plus you can find them for like 140 new and cheap cheap used

that cat in your uppipe could let go boom now you need a turbo cause it sucked up catt material

and by far the best mod people do with 2.0L

EDIT
better yet find an oem uppipe(i have one) and gut it...just as good and guaranteed to fit

gebby1029 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 17, 2011, 01:26:59 PM »

DO THE UP PIPE!

1) You'll be in there already for the DP, might as well go a little further to replace the UP
2) Retuning for the UP will be required so you are basically creating twice the work for yourself and tuner
3) It's cheap
4) The power difference is night and day with the 2.0L

LarenF3D5 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 17, 2011, 07:50:37 PM »

Quote from: spoolordie on June 17, 2011, 08:11:46 AM

better yet find an oem uppipe(i have one) and gut it...just as good and guaranteed to fit

Guaranteed to be a pain in the ass. I'd never gut another uppipe again. The headache wasn't worth the cost savings to me.

Kavik · « **Reply #20 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:14:16 PM »

i gotta go with the masses on this one.....no sense in doing the up-pipe at a different time.
Gutting it is a pain in the ass, just pick up a used sti catless one for like ~~$60-80~~

Edit: here's a catless one for $30

Cholo · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2011, 02:31:37 PM »

Oh no more stuff for sale ahhh. Well now you guys all have me thinking about the up-pipe. So how complicated am I making things for myself come inspection time if I get a catless up-pipe? Part of the reason I wanted a catted DP was for inspection purposes. (Too bad that pulley's gone, I've always thought those seemed interesting - but I see them f/s all the time).

Kavik - are all the STi UP's catless?

gebby1029 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 18, 2011, 04:20:20 PM »

Honestly, only someone that knows WRX's well will know there is suppose to be a cat on the up pipe. It's no more complicated than an aftermarket catted downpipe is (which is very little). So long as you have one cat (or even something that looks like a cat) and zero CELs, inspection should be no problem.

And yes, all STi up pipes are catless.

Kavik · « **Reply #23 on:** June 18, 2011, 07:17:35 PM »

also, I think all 06+ wrx's have catless up-pipes too?
Yeah, it's not something that would ever get noticed in an inspection

TheBigChill · « **Reply #24 on:** June 18, 2011, 10:25:56 PM »

I have a gutted WRX UP, and a stock STi UP if you decide you want one.

Author Topic: My TBE upgrade (formerly "Cracked catback?") (Read 1164 times)