Hi,

I recently installed a TurboXS Stealthback onto my 02 WRX. First installing it without any heatwrap- definite power gains and better throttle response. Also,
much louder than expected for a "stealthback". Not in growl from the exhaust but the turbo whine sounded like a techno cricket. I kinda like this sound, but cops do not. And ,in my opinion, although it was just the stock turbo, it sounded like I added some aftermarket noise maker. I was going to live with the fast and furious sound until I realized that the underhood temps had gone up considerably. No I didnt use a thermometer, but I could see the heat radiating out of the hood scoop like never before. My fans also were cycling a lot more-this could be from the Cobb map ,though.
I did cut the heat shield to fit ( the one with the hand on it) with a dremel and sheet metal snips, but I felt that there was more heat than I wanted so I decided to wrap the downpipe with Therma-Tec heat wrap. This stuff is like fifty bucks and you'll have to spray it with their "paint" to "cure" it, but I think it's worth the heat reduction. Probablly not to much HP gained through heat scavenging ,but certainly none loss form intercooler heatsoak. If you do this give yourself some time because the wrap has to be wet to apply and has to completely dry before painting and installing. The wrap I used keeps the downpipe "touchable" even after hard running. My biggest surprise with the wrap -is that is made the car quieter, can hardly hear turbo cricket now. If I were to do it again I would probablly only wrap it halfway down hoping to keep some sound.