STI muffler vs aftermarket

[SilentRacer]

I'v got a pretty good deal on an STI muffler but im wondering if an aftermarket muffler is better? My main concern it that the STI muffler is not stainless steel.

[ten80]

That's a valid concern. Stock exhausts usually look terrible after a few years, especially on the east/west coast. the STi muffler is also designed for quiet sound, not optimal flow and I don't think it has a straight-through design. It is however, a cheap and relatively functional upgrade from the stock exhaust.

[gil_ong81]

i would not be too concerned about flow. i'm use a stock STi pushes more air than a 2.2 liter Legacy.

and as far as looks go...... it's up to you. you're not going to be able to keep it shiny in NYC, but even up here, stock mufflers last quite a long time.

[Huffer]

I'm still on my original Subaru muffler. Never "winterised". OEM FTW.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Stock > cheap aftermarket muffler for build quality. Just because it's not SS doesn't mean it's not built well.

[Plays_with_Toys]

It's supposed to sound good. Not loud but sporty. If you've got a good deal, toss it on, and if you don't like it, I'm sure someone on here will buy the can from you. There have been some scavenging for one.

[rougeben83]

On the contrary, short of the more expensive magnaflow/borla mufflers, I don't think there's a lot of mufflers that will last as long as the OEM part. Even some of the expensive dynomax mufflers had a reputation of rusting out withing 2 years in the Taurus/SHO community that I use to be a part of. When you look at an aftermarket muffler, it's more important to look at the material it is made off, the packing material, design, and thickness. Something like a stainless steel or thick aluminized steel (flowmasters fall into this category) with fiberglass packing or resonators, with clean and thick welds or thick crimping will be a good choice.

The STi isn't a straight through design, but it isn't as restrictive as some of the other OEM mufflers out there; I believe the general consensus is it uses one baffle. Keep in mind this came on a turbocharged car that was marketed as an ultimate A to B car, so it may be quiet, but it will flow plenty for any NA application, and even a mild turbo setup.

You'll probably get more restriction from using a louvered resonator and going to 2.25" piping vs. the 2 3/8 the STi was originally bolted up to.

[SilentRacer]

I got concerned after seeing that thread where they opened the WRX muffler and it was really restrictive inside. I think the legacy would have a similar stock one. I was hoping the STI one doesn't restrict that badly.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Was it an 05+ WRX muffler? They're the only ones that are the same as the STi mufflers. Someone told me that the STi muffler only had like 3 baffles in it instead of 20 or so.

[Plays_with_Toys]

that WRX muffler was an older one like the one I have on my car, which is very quiet. I had my hatch open driving around today at work, and you get a cool little rumble thing below 3k rpms, and when coming off the throttle at redline, but otherwise no sound. I've heard clips of the STi can and they sound much better. check youtube.com. Search legacy exhaust and you'll find a few clips.