Hello everybody, I'm pretty new here but i float around many of the Suby forums and I've been doing alot of research on my first exhaust and basically right now it's between a Prodrive round tip axle back and the Stromung catback, mostly for their tones. However, I'm still considering a few others(If I can get the money!) such as the Blitz Nur Touring (Nur Spec is amazing, but a bit too loud for me), SPT, Borla(not Hush) and possibly the Perrin. Hah sorry for naming so many I'm just in such a dilemma over this, I can't wait for an exhaust!
Anyway, any advice would be GREATLY appreciated! I also have one more question(sorry!) does the Prodrive center pipe eliminate the 3rd cat, same thing with the Stromung intermediate pipe? Thanks so much again guys!

 

The prodrive has a great sound, but not loud and is a high quality exhaust but it's only a 2.5" and is expensive. I personally haven't had any experience w/ the stromung but I know people w/ it. It's considerably louder.

A midpipe does not eliminate the cat. A midpipe and exhaust can is a cat back system. What you want is a Turbo back exhaust(TBE). I'm personally looking at getting the APS or Cobb but I'm leaning towards the cobb w/ a high flow cat because it's a little cheaper.

 

Thanks so much for the reply! Yeah, I'd love a turboXS tbe however the service department at the dealership where i lease my car is pretty strict, so i can basically only stick to a cat-back. I'm still wondering about the center/intermediate pipe though. .Isn't the midpipe before the 3rd cat though? Check out the WRX engine diagram at the bottom of the page here:
http://members.chello.nl/~r.herweyer/
Shoot i'm guessing the Stromung intermediate pipe is a midpipe, right? Sorry about that, i guess both do elmiate the 3rd cat. Anyway, thanks again for the help!

 

w00 h00 where in LB are you

prodrive its quieter

 

belmont heights baby. straight up ghetttto

 

i have the prodrive oval. very quiet, when you're cruising you can barely hear it, but once you get on it it's a different story . the tone is not harsh at all. it is just the axle back though, 2.5". i have the stock mid pipe connected to a stromung downpipe.

the stromung exhaust has more a "flat" sound to it and IMO is a bit louder.

if you want more of the growl go with a N1 canister type like HKS

edit just noticed youre in socal, come out to the thurs life plaza meets and you can hear these all in person

 

No, both of the post turbo cats are in the downipe. Whats in the midpipe is a resonator to keep the sound down.

Honestly, if you can only have the sound (becasause of the dealership) just buy a used prodrive axleback for ~$250. Catbacks are expensive and dont really do squat for performance beacuse the oem cats are still there restricting air flow.

If I were you, I would just go with a turboback...F*** the dealership! TXS FTW!