I've some goodies I've been meaning to install on my '04 WRX, including a catless "shorty" Stromung downpipe. Exhibit A.

The aforementioned 'short' aspect of the pipe allows one to keep a cat (stock/high flow etc.) or drop in a straight mid pipe. I want to keep the resonator for noise abatement purposes. My muffler, if it matters, is cat-back Borla Hush (w/resonator). Nice low rumble with that on the current, otherwise stock, setup.

I've heard mixed things about going catless (planning on a catless up pipe as well), from shooting flames to screaming exhaust to little change at all.

This all seems dependent on the gestalt of parts and tune on the given car (mine at present: intake and exhaust are the only non-stock parts, stock tune, both soon to change however), not to mention nominal component variances. I wana give it a go and see how loud it gets or whatever else may come of it.

Seems one can pick up a straight mid pipe for as little as $12.

Question is, are any of these viable options or POSes that I should run away from? If so, might they be made more serviceable with some reinforced welding? Not a welder, sorry if that's not metallurgically sound.

First stuff that comes up on ye olde Google is more in the $100-150 range.

I've also heard of getting one fabbed at a shop for not too much.

Worth it? Thoughts?

Follow up dumb question: I got a Grimspeed gasket set for the exhaust swap. I would need an additional gasket for the midpipe-to-downpipie (aka midpipie to resonator) connection, right?

 

Captain of the USS Noobquestions, reporting for duty. Am I adrfit at sea? Which muffler bearing is shot?

 

do it and report back with your findings.

 

Aie, a test case I am to be then, hmm...

 

You know... I think the $12 "pipe" is just the damn gasket. Well, here's to wishful thinking...