WRX Up Pipe (Uppipe): Solid, Flex, gutted OEM?
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WRX Up Pipe (Uppipe): Solid, Flex, gutted OEM?
There doesn't seem to be much out there to guide me into choosing an up pipe (or is it spelled uppipe?) Everybody seems to be happy with their choices. I read the Cobb Tuning article at:
http://www.cobbtuning.com/tech/exhaustdesign/index.html
and here is a snippet:
The exhaust before the turbo has a lot of heat differential from one point to the next and adding to that is the fact that different metals have different expansion. This leads to a system that wants to twist, pull and push quite a bit. Without some give, something has to go. The gaskets and welds are usually the first victims. One problem lies in getting flex without having a flex section that is prone to cracking, splitting, and leaking it's self. It is not wise to cure a problem with a part that causes the exact same problem. That would be like sun screen that causes skin cancer.
I do not plan to race the car very often but am looking for some more HP and for the turbo to kick in a little sooner. I also plan to keep the car for many years (my 1991 Eclipse GSX went 10 years and 166,000 kiles with one engine rebuild - no mods.)
Questions:
1) What are the pros and cons of flex vs. solid pipe design based on YOUR experiences?
2) The MRT flex runs about $150 more than the Helix Flex or the Perrin solid design. Is the $150 extra worth it?
3) Would a gutted factory OEM uppipe last as long as an aftermarket upipe, i.e. is it made as durable?
4) Finally, I plan to have a Subaru tuner do the uppipe installation. How much time should a "pro" take to do this mod?
I plan to get the Cobb AccessPort when it comes out. I am considering these mods in addition to flashing the ECU:
1) Uppipe + Cobb Stage 1 Flash
or
2) TurboXS stealth-back exhaust + Cobb Stage 2 Flash
or
3) Uppipe, TurboXS stealth-back exhaust + Cobb Stage 2 Flash
The choice depends upon how much the uppipe costs to install. The TurboXS stealth-back seems to run $800 installed and the Cobb AccessPort is supposed to be $500 when it is released. The uppipes range from $200 to $380 not including install.
Scott (2004 WRX)
http://www.cobbtuning.com/tech/exhaustdesign/index.html
and here is a snippet:
The exhaust before the turbo has a lot of heat differential from one point to the next and adding to that is the fact that different metals have different expansion. This leads to a system that wants to twist, pull and push quite a bit. Without some give, something has to go. The gaskets and welds are usually the first victims. One problem lies in getting flex without having a flex section that is prone to cracking, splitting, and leaking it's self. It is not wise to cure a problem with a part that causes the exact same problem. That would be like sun screen that causes skin cancer.
I do not plan to race the car very often but am looking for some more HP and for the turbo to kick in a little sooner. I also plan to keep the car for many years (my 1991 Eclipse GSX went 10 years and 166,000 kiles with one engine rebuild - no mods.)
Questions:
1) What are the pros and cons of flex vs. solid pipe design based on YOUR experiences?
2) The MRT flex runs about $150 more than the Helix Flex or the Perrin solid design. Is the $150 extra worth it?
3) Would a gutted factory OEM uppipe last as long as an aftermarket upipe, i.e. is it made as durable?
4) Finally, I plan to have a Subaru tuner do the uppipe installation. How much time should a "pro" take to do this mod?
I plan to get the Cobb AccessPort when it comes out. I am considering these mods in addition to flashing the ECU:
1) Uppipe + Cobb Stage 1 Flash
or
2) TurboXS stealth-back exhaust + Cobb Stage 2 Flash
or
3) Uppipe, TurboXS stealth-back exhaust + Cobb Stage 2 Flash
The choice depends upon how much the uppipe costs to install. The TurboXS stealth-back seems to run $800 installed and the Cobb AccessPort is supposed to be $500 when it is released. The uppipes range from $200 to $380 not including install.
Scott (2004 WRX)
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