WRX Uppipe
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 554
From: Tucson
Car Info: '02 WRX WRB
The best uppipe is the APS tapered uppipe with flex joint in my opinion. However, no one has ever tested uppipes against each other to see which one is best or if there is any difference at all. Some people think the flex joint is better than a solid design, others think the opposite. APS says the tapered design improves the exhaust speed, improving turbo response. Makes sense to me. Is it worth $100+ more?
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From: Rockland County...NY
Car Info: want a WRX
www.worldoneperformance.com
www.vividracing.com -expensive
...there are many other sites..but i dont really know them ...maybe someone else can tell you where to buy it...or search on yahoo or something..do more research before u buy one
www.vividracing.com -expensive
...there are many other sites..but i dont really know them ...maybe someone else can tell you where to buy it...or search on yahoo or something..do more research before u buy one
Last edited by awns729; Aug 19, 2003 at 08:11 PM.
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Hi -
I just put a Perrin UP on my '03 - my first mod after 2 months owning the car. It cost me $225 at Nino's (ninoautoaccessories.com I think), and he was running a special of $295 installed. I grabbed that since I don't trust my skills with that particular install.
I really like it as a first mod. Eliminated a lot of turbo lag (which my speed freak wife misses, btw. She's now bugging me to install a turbo boost to get that feeling of a turbo "kicking in" back, lol). Overall seems like good value for the relatively little money.
Good luck, whichever one you go for!
Tom
I just put a Perrin UP on my '03 - my first mod after 2 months owning the car. It cost me $225 at Nino's (ninoautoaccessories.com I think), and he was running a special of $295 installed. I grabbed that since I don't trust my skills with that particular install.
I really like it as a first mod. Eliminated a lot of turbo lag (which my speed freak wife misses, btw. She's now bugging me to install a turbo boost to get that feeling of a turbo "kicking in" back, lol). Overall seems like good value for the relatively little money.
Good luck, whichever one you go for!
Tom
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I got the Helix uppipe which is selling around for around $199 shipped, and it has a flex section and definitely lets the turbo spool up faster. IMO, all uppipes out there are pretty much the same. Some people will agree with me there, others won't.
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From: Bike Lane
Car Info: Black 2003 WRX Sedan
I also have the Helix up pipe. It was a pain in the *** to install, just like other up pipes, but im pretty pleased with it. You can feel a little extra power when on the freeway. The Vishnu intructions were really easy to follow, and you'll save a lot of time if you leave the turbo heat shield off.
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So what you guys are saying is that it really does not matter which brand I go with because they all perform basically the same? I was looking at the HKS, TurboXS, Perrin, and Helix uppipes, so I will ask you guys should I go with the cheapest uppipe out there since their really is no difference?
Thanks, Mike
Thanks, Mike
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Probably a bit of an unfair question, since most guys (I assume) haven't gone to the trouble of installing several different up pipes on their car to compare them before buying. For what it's worth, from the reviews I read in other posts before buying my own, it didn't seem like there were any brands that guys were NOT satisfied with - they all seem to offer improved performance. The only discussion usually centered around whether the flex design was really an advantage, or just a selling point.
Perhaps a techie type here could give you dyno figures if you really wanted to see which offered the best gain at any given horsepower. Or you could try searching some of the web sites of performance car mags who have done comparison tests. Otherwise, even without knowing all that I bet you'll be happy with any of the major brands on the market. I get the idea from all the posts I've read that most of the companies offering mods to Subi enthusiats are pretty reputable.
Good luck!
Perhaps a techie type here could give you dyno figures if you really wanted to see which offered the best gain at any given horsepower. Or you could try searching some of the web sites of performance car mags who have done comparison tests. Otherwise, even without knowing all that I bet you'll be happy with any of the major brands on the market. I get the idea from all the posts I've read that most of the companies offering mods to Subi enthusiats are pretty reputable.
Good luck!
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I am planning to uppipe my 2004 WRX in the next month. Here is what I have found:
Cobb Tuning FAQ
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.
Therefore, I plan to go with a flex-type. I just need to figure out which one.
Cobb Tuning FAQ
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.
Therefore, I plan to go with a flex-type. I just need to figure out which one.
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From: Longing for my ol' white '02 WRX :(
Car Info: 2016 Acura RDX ... meh. Um, nice subwoofer?
I really doubt they all perform the same 
In terms of flow, the widest pipe (to a point) with the striaghtest path and well made joints will provide the best flow. So, you want wide enough to accomadate the inlet to the turbine and you want, here's the real issue you're looking at, quality that leads to long life.
IMO, a gutted stock is going to be much better than an ungutted stock, but its not going to be as good an aftermarket pipe. Stock has a small internal diameter, and while not chocked by cat material, its much smaller than aftermarkets as well as its internal diameter changes throughout the pipe. Certainly not optimal characteristics.
Look for pipes without a history of leaks that are of a decent size and decent manufacturing quality and you'll get a good deal. I have the Perrin and I've loved it from the moment I got it. In fact, I sleep with it at night.
jason
In terms of flow, the widest pipe (to a point) with the striaghtest path and well made joints will provide the best flow. So, you want wide enough to accomadate the inlet to the turbine and you want, here's the real issue you're looking at, quality that leads to long life.IMO, a gutted stock is going to be much better than an ungutted stock, but its not going to be as good an aftermarket pipe. Stock has a small internal diameter, and while not chocked by cat material, its much smaller than aftermarkets as well as its internal diameter changes throughout the pipe. Certainly not optimal characteristics.
Look for pipes without a history of leaks that are of a decent size and decent manufacturing quality and you'll get a good deal. I have the Perrin and I've loved it from the moment I got it. In fact, I sleep with it at night.
jason
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From: 12.9 / 105+
Car Info: black my03 5mt wrx s/w
widest pipe = greatest flow, but at lowest velocity. not good if your intent is on spooling up a turbine.
i agree that the step changes in diameter with the gutted stock pipe are less than ideal, but i guarantee you that at the levels of performance most of us are achieving it makes NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER. in fact, there was a test on this board comparing gutted stocker vs. aftermarket, and the variation was meaningless.
save your money, and spend it on a nice downpipe NOW, since gutting that pipe is not the best solution at all (wastegate issue). besides to get to the up pipe you've got to remove the DP anyway, so best thing is to do it all at once.
i've got a stock up pipe i'll sell it to you for 30 bucks shipped. diy without being stressed about downtime. if you want me to gut it give me 80 and it's a deal. i'll gut it within 3 days.
ken
i agree that the step changes in diameter with the gutted stock pipe are less than ideal, but i guarantee you that at the levels of performance most of us are achieving it makes NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER. in fact, there was a test on this board comparing gutted stocker vs. aftermarket, and the variation was meaningless.
save your money, and spend it on a nice downpipe NOW, since gutting that pipe is not the best solution at all (wastegate issue). besides to get to the up pipe you've got to remove the DP anyway, so best thing is to do it all at once.
i've got a stock up pipe i'll sell it to you for 30 bucks shipped. diy without being stressed about downtime. if you want me to gut it give me 80 and it's a deal. i'll gut it within 3 days.
ken