Learn me the ways of the exaust system.

[ShadowGT]

So heres the deal. Say if I want to replace the entire exhaust system from the headers to the muffler on my wagon.
I don't want to spend a zillion dollars on this. Just amuse the idea here. Just like I'm considering running without a cat-converter and using a O2 simulator for the rear sensor.
It's an idea, something I'm toying with. Looking for a bit more rumble, a little more power.

I've seen the Borla knock-off headers on eBay. Fine.
What's next? What's an up-pipe, down-pipe, track pipe, flex pipe, mid-pipe. (OK, well I know what the mid pipe is.)

So in theory I get the fake Borla header. Then what's the next piece?
The header is connected to the... that's connected to the.. which is connected to the...

Then I need a recommendation on a cheap yet good muffler.
Basically I just want to go on eBay and just order the stuff then mount it all and call it a day.

Am I crazy? I've been called worse. But lets just say I'm curious about things to do with the wagon and I'm slowly taking on more and more involved projects.

Muchos gracias.

[Huffer]

Exhaust system on an NA Subaru is really simple.

Headers -> catalytic convertors -> midpipe ->axleback/muffler

That's it.

On a turbo Subaru you have:

Headers ->Up/Downpipe+catalytic convertor ->midpipe -> axleback/muffler.

I oversimplified the Up/Down pipe system because in a general sense the piping does "double back" on itself in terms of the layout.

Up/Down pipes are associated with feeding/extracting exhaust gases to/from the turbo.
Track pipe is a replacement section that does away with the catalytic convertors and isn't road legal. You will typically smell a track-pipe'd car as the emissions are unaltered.
Flex pipe is the name for any kind of flexible piping used in an exhaust system. Typically this looks like a metallic woven section that looks like a big garden hose. It's used mainly in pipes that have to bend more than 45deg.

You could easily go to ebay and buy a set of Borla-knockoff UEL headers, a universal high flow cat, and a generic 3" tip muffler, go to a local exhaust shop and tell them to fab it all up with an internal diameter of 2.25". They'll install the headers, weld up the cat with O2 sensor bungs to match your stock setup, a new midpipe (with or without a resonated section) and bend some new pipe for the axleback and weld on some hangers.

I expect that would run about $250-350 for a good shop. A Firestone or Midas place might charge you more. It will probably take a half day's work for a pro.

[ShadowGT]

Great info man.. thanks.

Just some minor projects to get done and it's off to the exhaust system I go.

[impreza_GC8]

Header --> cat pipe ---> midpipe ---> muffler pipe

Turbo cars have up pipes and downpipes. Usually the downpipe has a cat built in.

What exhaust setup to go with depends entirely on what you are wanting to spend. Custom setups are great and I would recommend keeping your cats in an N/A car as any power gain you get is minimal.