More louder, and more rumble suggestions...

[MRLancaster]

I have the UEL headers, and 2.5 mid pipe to an sti exhaust.....and its still very very quiet. I have an exhaust leak, but even when I fix that I doubt it will make it that much louder, or more rumble. Any suggestions? Or should I just end up buying a new muffler one day? I just want the OEM look with a nice rumble but nothing stupid loud.

[TGX4776]

delete your cats

[httrdd]

Cams.

[redlegacygt]

yeah the cat idea works good. I deleted one of my cats and put in a high flow cat (was hardly and restriction in it) and mine sounds real deep. I'd imagine deleting them both would give it a real deep sound depending on the muffler.

[MRLancaster]

I thought deleting the cats would make it really raspy sounding?

[Matty2Hotty]

Yup, the only way to get the rumble out of the muffler you have is to get a track pipe, here is the link. Even with high flow you will still not have that much rumble. The raspyness comes from not having a resonator for the most part.
http://www.boxer4racing.com/exhaust.htm

[Huffer]

I'm going to disagree with everyone that the only way to get the rumble from the STi axleback is to remove your catalytic convertors. The cats are a resonator and a muffler - as well as being an EPA device. You have UEL headers which also change how the exhaust pulses are combined once they hit the first cat. Your midpipe is about the right size - any larger and you'll lose exhaust velocity.

You could remove your resonator from your midpipe, but that will increase the drone inside the wagon's cabin.

Ultimately it's your axleback that is doing most of the muffling. I have a very similar setup to yours and find it to be very good and quite loud when I want it. I have Borla (EL) headers through stock cats through a 2.25" midpipe into a stock STi axleback.

[Matty2Hotty]

Hey Hey... You can't disagree with me... Read my first sentence over again... "out of the muffler he has". The STI axleback will never be loud unless you to the gut mod where you hack open the side of the muffler and take out some of the sound deading.

[MRLancaster]

I may look into that.....and make it a straight through hybrid muffler if you will. Talked to my friend about it.

[Huffer]

I still disagree. My STi-ed exhaust is plenty loud. I should do a DB reading on it.

[MRLancaster]

Does it rumble at idle and driving around? Because right now it just sounds like my oem one.

[Huffer]

Does it rumble at idle and driving around? Because right now it just sounds like my oem one.

Yes sir. People know when it's me coming down the road, and when I get on it, they know too.

[httrdd]

Does it rumble at idle and driving around? Because right now it just sounds like my oem one.

Hope you don't have a blocked muffler.

[MRLancaster]

A blocked muffler?

[Huffer]

Hes saying that some of the material inside the STi muffler could have moved and is blocking your exhaust exit. This is extremely unlikely.

[Grafton]

just swap in a high quality high flow cat and you'll be a lot louder, the stock cats hold and unblieveable amount of noise in lol

[bobbyjimmy]

Leave the cat/s and do the hybrid/gutting like you said.

[STIdarkside]

Huffer and MRLancaster... Do you have some exhaust vids that we can hear, I would like to know what this setup sounds like.

Also, does this setup throw any codes or cause emissions issues? I heave read in many threads that the Borla headers tend to throw a code every now and then...

Thanks

[Baddog]

What is the process of swapping in a high flow cat? BD guys have 2 cats.

[redlegacygt]

What is the process of swapping in a high flow cat? BD guys have 2 cats.

basically the shop i took mine too left the front cat, but where the back cat was its a welded in high flow cat. Real small and not that restrictive. doesnt sound that bad at all and i have no cells.

[Baddog]

Hm. Well I know one of my cats are toast because it smells bad. And if there is still a stock clogged cat its gonna be restrictive and make my new headers and catback useless.

[grayguy]

Subaru cats really don't quiet things down that much. One of my favorite sounding subarus was my friends ej22 swapped loyale, he bought my borla knock-offs and stock exhaust minus the axle back (car was from Cali and had 3 cats, he left them all on) and it sounded AMAZING and was nice and rumbly, still idled pretty quiet.

[MRLancaster]

Yea, if you can get a video of your setup Huffer. That would be awesome! :D
As for CEL with the headers, you just have to make a spacer for the 02 sensor.

[Huffer]

Yea, if you can get a video of your setup Huffer. That would be awesome! :D

I will if you will! I'll try later today when I get home.

[MRLancaster]

sounds good. Im out of town until monday. So I will get it next week

[ESSYMOND]

Just get a new muffler, you dont have to get a huge fart cannon, but any of those magnaflow mufflers will get your car to rumble at idle and sound much louder.

I had both the STI axleback and the SPT axleback and none of them sounded as good as the magnaflow one i have on now. Its a cheap way to start

[LunchBox04V]

I would agree with a MagnaFlow. I have one, with both cats on a single port EJ22. It's wicked loud during heavy foot work. And rather quiet inside, and yes, it's rumbles... As much as a single port can. Lol I have developed an exhaust leak after my second cat, and I'm just going to put in a track pipe and not worry about it. Rather than fixing it and continuing to use two cats with 200k on them. Once that is square, and I finish my write up on swapping projectors into a SF, I will try and grab a video.

[MRLancaster]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/muffler-1.jpg

One idea I have....

[Matty2Hotty]

I don't know... Huffer might already have a gutted STI muffler. I herd 100s+ STI and never herd one really rumble with 3" piping even. Here is the info with pictures... Everything you need!
http://mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.p ... i-axleback (http://mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php/31071-DIY-gutted-STi-axleback)

[STIdarkside]

Matty2Hotty - Do you have an exhaust sound clip of your setup? I have seen a few with borla headers and borla axlebacks and they sound pretty good...

Thanks

[Huffer]

I don't know... Huffer might already have a gutted STI muffler.

Nope. Came off a factory fresh 06 STI and sat in the owners garage while he played around with other systems.

[MRLancaster]

Well while visiting my parents, my dad wanted to drive it, so I heard it outside of the car for the first time....it has more rumble than I thought, not loud but doesnt sound stock, and it sounds like a subaru. So I may end up not doing anything else to it, except fix the leak. Other wise it sounds pretty damn good.

[STIdarkside]

Very interested in hearing some sound clips after all the positive feedback the two have been stating... No rush though...

Thanks

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'd have to agree with Huffer. My old STi catback system was quite loud. I was running stock headers and the Stromung hi-flow cat. I wonder what year yours came from, because mine was from an 06 like Huffer's.

[4n70n1n0]

OEM look and louder?
Get rid of the sti muffler with a Megan Racing M OEM muffler
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/07/MOE-1.jpg

[Baddog]

Are there any gains to be had by going with a track pipe? I am looking to get one now. And just keep my stock cat pipe section for when emissions come around.

Can exhaust shops make me a track pipe? Or will they get in trouble because they are deleting my cats?

[Huffer]

Very few gains.
An exhaust shop can fab anything for you, but legally they can't install one unless your car is 25yrs old and considered "classic". Damned EPA.
But, they can fab it up, and sell it to you. If they're nice they'll even remove your existing one and make sure it CAN be mounted in place, but they won't allow you to drive it away installed.

[Baddog]

Okay I will have to give them a call. I read alot about people noticing more top end with the track pipe and my cats are clogged and you can smell them everytime you goose it off the line which causes my car to lug till about 2-2.5k rpms (I think that is the cause).

I will be running Supers UEL Single Port Headers, 2.25" Track Pipe, 2.25" catback with a vibrant flow 1145 muffler, and an 18" resonator. Should be a nice sounding exhaust. I hope.

I hope 2 02 Spacers will keep the Cat code away.

[Huffer]

Have you tried swapping in a used cat section? I guarantee there will be an Impreza owner around Portland that has a stock cat section they're not using.

You could also try dropping your cat section and punching out the cat materials... cheap, not "easy" but it's free besides your time. You'd need a really long screwdriver or a way to open up the cat from the top. Google it!

[Baddog]

I want something a little more free flowing. And a track pipe will be cheap. And I can also keep my stock cat pipe for when emissions roll around. Seems like a win to me.

[Baddog]

Well unfortunately my luck doesn't work so well with this car. No exhaust shop will even fab me up a track pipe around here. I'd rather not gut my cats for when emissions roll around and I have heard terrible things and they sound like shit with gutted cats.

But just like everyone else on here. "You can get single port headers made cheap!!!!!!!" It seems exhaust shops in Portland don't do anything like it does in your states.

[Huffer]

Isn't there a subaru specialty shop around you Portland guys?

[Baddog]

Rallitek is localish to me. But I doubt they will do anything as far as that goes. They wouldn't make me headers either.

[Guig'z]

I was running a gutted STI catabck with UEL and resonator delete, with 1 cat delete to.. Was okay.

Now I am running stock exaust line with UEL and 1 deleted cat, with a Magnaflow muffler, and it sounds awsome!

02 BH 5mt Outback

Oh and I have a track pipe (Catalytic line without the cats) in my garage, I might sell it..

[Baddog]

Found a shop to do it with mandrel bends. $190. I will have it done either this week or next. Or I should at least get my resonator first. They said they can do the track-pipe and resonator in my current mid-pipe for that price.

[Baddog]

I was running a gutted STI catabck with UEL and resonator delete, with 1 cat delete to.. Was okay.

Now I am running stock exaust line with UEL and 1 deleted cat, with a Magnaflow muffler, and it sounds awsome!

02 BH 5mt Outback

Oh and I have a track pipe (Catalytic line without the cats) in my garage, I might sell it..

Price? And shipping may be spendy since youre in Canada

[LunchBox04V]

Ok... To start, this is where the mods and the others who said I would be sorry..... You can laugh now. haha Sweet Jesus it is as loud as freight train, and more raspy than the reaper himself. lol So.... I will still get a sound clip tomorrow.

So..... Single Port EJ22, no converters, 2.25" stainless to a 6" Magnaflow...... Bad idea. Raspy and way too loud. But the MPG are great.... initially looking at 3-4mpg more. That is great.

OK... not to thread-jack.... But any suggestions on a middle muffler, or a resonator? I was thinking either a glass-pack, or a high-flow muffler from Magnaflow or Flowmaster. I am ok with the loud, but the major raspy sound (anything over 2800 RPM) is not ok. And I would like to keep it as free flowing as possible. I just don't want to loose all the gains I just got. (aside from the rasp and super excessive noise) Thanks again.

[r3v_v3ng3]

Ok... To start, this is where the mods and the others who said I would be sorry..... You can laugh now. haha Sweet Jesus it is as loud as freight train, and more raspy than the reaper himself. lol So.... I will still get a sound clip tomorrow.

So..... Single Port EJ22, no converters, 2.25" stainless to a 6" Magnaflow...... Bad idea. Raspy and way too loud. But the MPG are great.... initially looking at 3-4mpg more. That is great.

OK... not to thread-jack.... But any suggestions on a middle muffler, or a resonator? I was thinking either a glass-pack, or a high-flow muffler from Magnaflow or Flowmaster. I am ok with the loud, but the major raspy sound (anything over 2800 RPM) is not ok. And I would like to keep it as free flowing as possible. I just don't want to loose all the gains I just got. (aside from the rasp and super excessive noise) Thanks again.


magnaflow resonator

[rougeben83]

Look under the car and measure the straightest section of pipe you have under there. Get a resonator that will fit. The longer the better.

[TGX4776]

Ok... To start, this is where the mods and the others who said I would be sorry..... You can laugh now. haha Sweet Jesus it is as loud as freight train, and more raspy than the reaper himself. lol So.... I will still get a sound clip tomorrow.

So..... Single Port EJ22, no converters, 2.25" stainless to a 6" Magnaflow...... Bad idea. Raspy and way too loud. But the MPG are great.... initially looking at 3-4mpg more. That is great.

OK... not to thread-jack.... But any suggestions on a middle muffler, or a resonator? I was thinking either a glass-pack, or a high-flow muffler from Magnaflow or Flowmaster. I am ok with the loud, but the major raspy sound (anything over 2800 RPM) is not ok. And I would like to keep it as free flowing as possible. I just don't want to loose all the gains I just got. (aside from the rasp and super excessive noise) Thanks again.

Vibrant resonator or for the cheap way out glass packs

[LunchBox04V]

Thanks, I think I will go with the ultra quiet vibrant resonator. Mine is rather loud, and I think it will help the most. And I have a ton of straight pipe under the car, I'm running a custom cat back as well. Would you folks suggest mounting the resonator closer to the mid-pipe, or the rear axle? Or is it a moot point. I will get a video (of what not to do lol) later today.

And as a side thought... Would it be better to have two of them? I have a ton of room under there now. Lol

[TGX4776]

Go for two

[LunchBox04V]

Ok, after a little thought, and some checking, I think I am going to go with a Flowmaster HP-2. I know that it has a little flow limiting (it has a baffle in the exhaust stream) but I figure it has to flow way better than my 12 year old, 200k mile, clogged double cat setup. Plus, the current muffler (after a little looking) is actually a resonator with a tip. lol So, I figure that even with a slight restriction, it will still be miles ahead. Also.... just a feeling.... but the car seems a little slower.... I have a feeling I need to re-introduce a little backpressure to regain some of that power(all 98 whp lol) Here is an internal cut away of what I will be ordering in a week or so.
http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/shop/images/hp2_cutaway_ztn.jpg

[LunchBox04V]

lol Well yet another change in the plan. I went with the suggestions and did a resonator. I went with the Vibrant Performance Ultra Quiet Resonator. It is an oval of 4.5" x 6.25" x 10". I was planning on using two of them, but we were only able to get one in there. So... here is the data I have gained to date.....

Equipment:
2nd Gen EJ22
Single Port
EL header (factory)
Cat delete (Stromung)
Vibrant Ultra Quiet Resonator (Part #1140, only one installed)
MagnaFlow 5" Round muffler.

Results:
I know this is really going to be all opinion without a sound clip, but once I get home from work (in 4 days) I will do just that.

Normal driving: (City/Highway, < 50% throttle)
It is actually quieter in the cabin than when I had the cats in with the MagnaFlow muffler. I was honestly shocked! There is a slight increase in sound (rumble mainly) between 2500 and 3500 RPM. Other than that it is smooth sounding and just a little louder than a STi exhaust. (Even the girlfriend approved!) There is only a mild note inside the cabin with the windows up.

Agressive driving: (Heavy Acceleration(having fun), >50% throttle)
This is where you can tell the car has no exhaust restrictions. It has a deeper rumble, more like a WRX with a high flow muffler, just louder. The note is quieter and more tuned sounding than the straight header, and muffler combo. This, after extensive girlfriend testing, both internal and external volumes were accepted. Lol It is defiantly louder outside, so don't go ripping by a cop and expect to be ok, but it is no where near the "V8 truck blatt" or the "Harley" level. Honestly, it's just what the OP wanted, more rumble.

All and all I am happy. The sound is deep, rich, and only slightly raspy. I have come to the conclusion that, even though it is a little raspy, the 3-4 MPG gain is totally worth it. Under normal driving the note is "quiet power." Again, very happy with how the mod ended. I will get that sound clip as soon as I can.

EDIT: I edited this from the original due to Ann Arbor Muffler failing to do a leak test, making the car extremely loud under heavy acceleration. Now that the car is 100% personally leak tested, the above review is now correct.

[TGX4776]

glad to hear. i love my vibrant setup

[Baddog]

How does the power feel?

[LunchBox04V]

The power feels like it is back plus some. Lol I mean not much, the 2.2 does not have a ton extra to give in N/A. Without a dyne, the best I can offer is observations. Climbing a hill on freeway near Cadillac Michigan, in always had to turn off the cruise to maintain 70 mph. (I worried about the cruise asking for 100% throttle in 5th, just a personal thing) Now, the cruise can easily handle hill. Would say there is an increase in power. Not 16 second vs. 10 second quarter, but goming up a long hill, if you tow things, or just want a little more pep in the corners. It's a winner.

My main goals, were more power/fun, and better MPG. There is more power, and the MPGs have gone up as well. I have yet to do an actual test, but instead of using 3/4 of a tank to go from northern Michigan to the greater Detroit area, we only used 5/8 this time. That was even running the A/C! Still, very pleased with this mod. Lol I can't wait to get home and actually drive the car.

[Baddog]

Yeah I will also be running a set of AFtermarket headers. So I should hopefully notice a little bit more. My cats glow a nice cherry red. Kinda cool at night.

So it should be a decent upgrade all around for me as well. Plus the sound should be amazing!

[MRLancaster]

Well Im pleased with the exhaust now......since I changed the short ram intake the exhaust is now louder and has rumble....why? Im not sure. But it def sounds nice now. :) https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/08/downsized_0830111702-1.jpg And also the engine bay is deeper sounding, but the exhaust has noticeable rumble now.

[Perkul8r]

If you dont mind me asking, what UEL header are you using. I have a 04 legacy sedan that I am getting ready to do the exhaust on. Mainly swapping header, and adding a different muffler.

I noticed my stock header is starting to rust out so I want to add the UEL header, but just wanna double check on the fitment.

Thanks.

[MRLancaster]

Im using a dual port Borla ebay knock off. Fit perfectly for me

[Perkul8r]

Awesome. Thanks.

[MRLancaster]

Alright, so 2.5 is way too loud....I had 3" a long time ago, and figured 2.5 would quiet it down...nope...going to get a silencer and hope I dont get pulled before it comes in...then down grade to 2.25

[r3v_v3ng3]

Alright, so 2.5 is way too loud....I had 3" a long time ago, and figured 2.5 would quiet it down...nope...going to get a silencer and hope I dont get pulled before it comes in...then down grade to 2.25


use a resonator (like a 24 inch magnaflow ones)

[TGX4776]

get the vibrant ultra quiet resonator

[MRLancaster]

So that will quiet it down more?

[r3v_v3ng3]

yes it will. are you running stock cat converter?

[TGX4776]

lol Well yet another change in the plan. I went with the suggestions and did a resonator. I went with the Vibrant Performance Ultra Quiet Resonator. It is an oval of 4.5" x 6.25" x 10". I was planning on using two of them, but we were only able to get one in there. So... here is the data I have gained to date.....

Equipment:
2nd Gen EJ22
Single Port
EL header (factory)
Cat delete (Stromung)
Vibrant Ultra Quiet Resonator (Part #1140, only one installed)
MagnaFlow 5" Round muffler.

Results:
I know this is really going to be all opinion without a sound clip, but once I get home from work (in 4 days) I will do just that.

Normal driving: (City/Highway, < 50% throttle)
It is actually quieter in the cabin than when I had the cats in with the MagnaFlow muffler. I was honestly shocked! There is a slight increase in sound (rumble mainly) between 2500 and 3500 RPM. Other than that it is smooth sounding and just a little louder than a STi exhaust. (Even the girlfriend approved!) There is only a mild note inside the cabin with the windows up.

Agressive driving: (Heavy Acceleration(having fun), >50% throttle)
This is where you can tell the car has no exhaust restrictions. It can get a little to the loud side here. The note is quieter and more tuned sounding than the straight header, and muffler combo. It would be around the same level as a sport bike (say 98db) in volume output. This get a frown/mocking from the girlfriend meter. Even with the windows up it is clear that the exhaust is louder. It is not too loud, but it is clearly modified. It would rank well below the "straight piped V8 trucks" and the "screaming eagle Harley" exhaust. And for the fun, and emergency acceleration, it is passible. Just don't lead-foot it past a cop. lol

All and all I am happy. The sound is deep, rich, and only slightly raspy. I have come to the conclusion that, even though it is a little raspy, the 3-4 MPG gain is totally worth it. Under normal driving the note is "quiet power." Again, very happy with how the mod ended. I will get that sound clip as soon as I can.


here you go if you missed it

[MRLancaster]

yes it will. are you running stock cat converter?

Yeah running stock cats, UEL, 2.5 midpipe, with a no name resonator and the cannon 3.5" tip....

[mycargoesvroom]

yes it will. are you running stock cat converter?

Yeah running stock cats, UEL, 2.5 midpipe, with a no name resonator and the cannon 3.5" tip....

Can we get a sound clip? I prefer the "look" of the cannon style exhaust but I had how obnoxiously loud they can be.

[MRLancaster]

Yeah its awful how loud, but man, I was not expecting how much rumble... :D Sounds like a STI or a WRX. I will try to get a video soon, I dont have a camera so I will have to get one done by a friend, cell phone video is horrible quality.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2011/09/0910111053-2.jpg
Going to do the bumper cut out soon

[LunchBox04V]

I'm going to have to go and edit my evaluation. Let me start by saying, if you live I the Ann Arbor area, don't go to Ann Arbor muffler. This is the second time they have messed up on simple things.

Previously I reported that under heavy acceleration, the exhaust note was very loud. Well, Ann Arbor Muffler failed to do a leak check. They missed a MASSIVE break in the weld. Goes without saying, don't go to them. They charged me $20 just to redo the weld. Anyway....

Main reason for this post is that the car is much quieter! After the final fix (and I know they hated it, but I inspected it) the car has a sound of a WRX. A nice rumble. I will edit my review post to match, but under hard/emergency acceleration, the car is about the same noise level as a very high flow muffler, just with more rumble! I love it even more!