Ok, i have a WRX that's a work in progress with the S^2 boys (awesome shop BTW) and so far the car has up-pipe, vf34, and mbc. next on the list is re-flash and when i have the desire to run 15+ psi will be injectors and pump (currently at 13 and MUCH better than stock car). With that said, I really don't want to replace the downpipe and go catless. It just seems too easy to get nailed going catless in Ca, and I really don't want to add to the smog problem too much. Is there anyone running the stock downpipe with cats and making close to 300 hp at the crank?

Also, has anyone else tried a vf34 with re-flash on stock fueling? how much boost could you safely run?

 

you could always go with an exhaust that has a HIGH FLOW cat. It will free up some power for you and keep it cleaner than NO cats. Most tuned cars go this route...and make great power.

hope this helps

-freddie

 

well I guess the no-brainer would be to use the turboxs DP where you can run their hi-flow cat or swap to stright pipe when you feel like it. I personally would do whatever I could to get away from the stock DP, its not just the cats but the pipe diameter and the way it blocks the area behind the waste gate

 

but can the stock DP diameter support enough exhaust flow to get close to 300 hp?

 

its so small a diamtere, it would be hard to do that
much easier getting a DP

 

perhaps, the STi DP is 2.25", but it seems to me you have done quite a bit of work to your car, why not just get a decent DP with hi-flow cat?

 

i have considered getting a TXS DP with cats, but the 2 stockers are very visible under the car. the UP cat is kind of hidden, so i'm not worried about it getting noticed. i'm afraid of getting written up by a cop for removing a functioning cat (high fines...) once my car hits the legal mileage for replacing cats with aftermarket, i think it's like 60k, I have no problems doing it. I suppose I could get one welded up with 2 stock looking cats...

Krinkov, I didn't know that about the STi DP.

 

Thats what it is on my STi, 2.25" all the way back. BTW, I think you are giving the cops alot of credit if you think they will be able to tell a subaru cat from any other cat by looking at it, if they look under there at all they are just looking to see if you have a cat.

 

im cmpletely catless


























































































































































































































i like to live dangeriously

 

well from what I have experienced...most cops dont have a clue when it comes to cars! 1 time the cop said that my contour SVT was too low and my "leaf springs" would scrape on the ground. It was STOCK!! LOL

Anyway, they more than likely wont actually get on the ground to see if you have cats. They more than likely dont even know how many we have. So, I wouldnt worry about that...they will get you for something else i.e., exhaust, INTAKE, tint, speakers, ect....
If they think you have done something to the engine and see it(intake) they will send you to the CA ref. NOW THESE GUYS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR!! If you go there, just put your car back to stock.

My point is, even IF they did look...they would see a cat...not knowing if it is a high flow or stock, and more than likely you wouldnt get a ticket for that. Get it? I wouldnt worry about it. Just KEEP your stock stuff...so when you need to smog, you can switch it.

be safe

-freddie

 

Everything else you've done is illegal. Who cares! Keep one hi-flow just to keep the stench away...and enjoy.

If you plan on having some carbonrice-titanium-fartcannon...then I'd be worried. Otherwise let 'er rip!

 

STI short block

 

Just get a high flow cat. Just looking at the stock downpipe hurts.

Or you could always call i-speed and get a 2.5 or 2.4 put in.

 

With the 34, you DEFINITELY want to go to a 3" exhaust with a high flow cat. You'll notice more power gains from that than you did going to the bigger turbo on stock piping. Take a look at your downpipe once you replace it- it's awful.