Gutting your uppipe --
http://webpages.charter.net/baraboo_...ppipe_fix.html

Gutting the down/midpipe should be similiar, but you dont have to be as thorough since you dont have to worry about chunks of cat breaking the turbo.

 

Interesting,
thanks for the advice/ link.
If anyone has any special techniques on gutting the down pipe specifically, it would still be appreciated. The angle of the pipe has me scratching my head. haha

 

Finished gutting my downpipe yesterday. I used a 14" flexible extension, and a 2" bi-mole bit. Basically i just stuck the bit in the pipe and let it do its thing. i got out so much crap, it's unbelievable.

 

tried gutting my downpipe...got lazy and bought an aftermarket one off ebay...haha :banana:

 

haha. whatever works i guess.
did the DP you buy fit well? did you use the old gaskets?
SO far i have purchased the STi turbo back, and a full set of gaskets. I was thinking about buying new hangers also, but after inspecting my old ones, i decided to stick wit-em.

 

the one im currently using works fine...i got new gaskets and everything fits perfectly ....u can hear some nice turbo spool

 

"WRX axleback is 2.5" also."

No it's not. It might be the same size as the STI axleback at the flange, but the wrx axleback quickly tapers to a smaller diameter right after the flange. The STi axleback's piping has no taper and is about a quarter inch larger in diameter than the WRX axleback piping. They are both baffled/chambered mufflers. Restrictive, but quiet. Here are some pics on page 2 of this thread.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...leback+sti+wrx

 

I will agree that the STi axel back is larger than the WRX axel back.
I had my STi TBE installed last weekend. I gutted the downpipe on the exhaust, as a result, i am very happy : )

 

I currently have the spt muffler installed on the car. If I put a downpipe and uppipe. would that be the same as a turboback??

 

A turbo back exhaust consists of the downpipe, midpipe, rear exhaust pipe, and muffler. the up pipe and manifold are after the turbo.
To answer your question, all wrx's have stock turbo back exhausts, your setup would not consist of a aftermarket turbo back exhaust.

 

I must tap you guys for information again.
I got a CEL last night while driving on the highway. I thought that because i had a 03, i wouldn’t have to worry about this. to my dismay, got the code pulled and it was the down pipe. I know there are two different fixes for this, on mechanical and one electrical.

Can you guys give me some info on these CEL fixes for a cat less down pipe?

 

Look into the mechanical fix.

I have the wired (electrical) fix and although it works fine, it's permanent since you have to splice a wire on your O2 sensor and insert a resistor.

The mechanical fix works good, it's inexpensive and is reversible. I wish I had gone this route.

 

thanks.
Anyone know of a good writeup?