ive heard that alot of the failure comes from rust because they are under the car, I imagine putting it on the dp or closer to it would not be a problem.

 

So if I replaced my 3" Perrin catback with a stock WRX catback, my car would make exactly the same power? That would be great, but hard to belive.

 

I've never had anyone show me a Dyno test that showed HP gain on a Subaru from a catback...
Modern Exhaust systems flow really well... it's not like pre OBD II when exhausts were really restrictive.
I remember when the C5 Corvette came out... everyone and their mother came out with a Catback for the car and claimed all sorts of absurd power gains. It was all BS, DRM clearly showed on a dyno that removing the rear exhaust all together on a C5 race car (no cats, 500+ HP) could net maybe 12 HP.

Cutouts on the Downpipe aren't a new idea; QTP actually makes a WRX downpipe with an electric cutout
http://www.quicktimeperformance.com/Downpipes/index.php

I didn't want to deal with the potential retune, and they are known to throw flames under the car... seems like a bad idea on a street car.

All in - I have about $400 into the setup. $200 for the parts, $200 for the labor to weld-in and wire professionally

 

The last set of thumbnails look very good. I'd suppose that unless you were looking for it, and knew what you were looking for, it would be all but invisible.

Now turn it up to 11!