Yesterday, I had the RSR ExMag exhaust installed on my 2004 STi. I had always wanted to "hear" my car more, but I did not want a droning exhaust. I am not a fan of the "grape-fruit shooter" exhausts so I went with the RSR. I was very pleased when it was installed, it was mellow at idle, and I could now hear the signature boxer rumble when accelerating...that was day one. Today, I notice that the car is much louder than it was yesterday. Is this normal with aftermarket exhausts on Subies or am I experiencing something wrong? I've never had a problem with that with my previous car (VW Jetta w/Neuspeed exhaust). It's now Sunday, so it'll be awhile till I get it checked, do you thing there might be an exhaust leak? I appreciate your comments/advice.

 

It's difficult to diagnose exhaust system noise level over the internet, but yes, it is possible for a leak to have developed.

If you have trouble locating the source of the leak (assuming there is one), you can use a short length of PVC tubing, or something similar to hold up to each exhaust system joint to isolate the leak by listening for it. Even a small leak makes a noticeable difference. Just make sure the brakes are on and the wheels are chocked if you crawl under the car!

It's not uncommon for fasteners to loosen up even after being properly torqued. Exhaust system components, especially those subjected to extreme heat cycles like the exhaust manifolds (headers), will sometimes need to be checked and re-torqued after the initial installation. Heck, Subaru even recommends checking the torque on wheel lug nuts after 50 miles, if the wheels have been removed for any reason.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

Thanks Wingless Wonder, I appreciate the input. I'll set an appointment with the shop who did the installation. Mahalos again!

 

It gets much louder...Did you reset your ECU after the install? Several friends of mine have this exhaust and it is freakin loud...I'd say it is louder than my 3.5" APS.

When I first put my B&B catback on (without resetting the ECU), I was like...oh, no...this thing is too quiet...it sounded like my stock sti catback on my PDE downpipe...maybe a little louder.

Then I remembered to reset it...unplugged the battery and stepped on the brake pedal a few times...

Even at startup I knew something changed...When I put a load on it going down Kahekili hwy...it was like a different exhaust...

It's going to get loud...but a pleasant low tone loud! I really like the TBE RS*R system...good choice.

 

some exhausts do get louder after they break from what i am told......from my experience my txs tbe rfl ti did get louder over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. i never put a decibel meter to prove this but i wasnt the only one to notice.

 

I got the exhaust checked out...no leaks whatsoever. Like most everything else I guess you get used to it. Yes it is louder that stock, but I just love that sound. I've had the elbow delete piece on my car w/stock exhaust and couldn't hear a thing. Now that I have an aftermarket exhaust, I can now hear my stock bypass valve. And oh yeah...Brent, I did not reset my ECU when I had my exhaust installed. It definitely felt softer (more lag?) at the beginning, but I think the factory ECU is getting used to it, cuz it's starting to feel better. I just wish there was someone here that can tune the ECU, but alas no AWD dyno in Hawaii. Well I guess this is just the beginning, I prolly won't see any real power until a downpipe is hooked up to my exhaust

 

It's going to get even louder when ur new downpipe is in.

 

Although you've been driving the car around a bit...it still might be a good idea to reset the ECU...it really makes a big difference...I always do this now since my first experience...

I found that it's easier for the computer to learn if you start it off from scratch...rather than relearn after it's been using a certain configuration for a while...give it a shot...

Oh, and if you only changed the catback portion...it shouldn't be as loud a I mentioned...with the downpipe, it is loud though...

I want to hear it...do you go to the meets still?

 

My greddy evo2 was very very quiet the first couple days i had it on my rex. Once that smell went away of having a new exhaust and i broke it in, it got louder and sounded much better.

 

'Sup Brent. So far, I've been to only one meet...out in Mililiani, and I was on vacation. It's kinda hard to go to the Thursday ones 'cuz I only use my car on the weekends/holidays. That coupled with living out in Kahuku and it being a school/work night it's just not feasible. I am usually at Eurosport on Fridays 'bout five-ish before I pick up my wife. Hope to see you around sometime. The ExMag exhaust has a larger muffler than the ExMag GT, but the piping is the same, so it is mellow at idle, but still roars when you roll on it.

 

I thought you lived in Kahaluu...Kahuku...yeah, I can understand...I've only made it to two or three meets...and I wasn't able to stay for long either...nice meeting you on the cruise...

I'm right there on the mountainside of Temple Valley...haven't been driving my car much lately because I am awaiting parts for my brake and fluids upgrade/replacement...

Gathering all the parts now...pads are pretty much gone...was going to try the Project MU NS pads but the source was out of stock...they talked me into the Hawk HPS...probably a better choice anyhow...synth and SS brakelines...rear differential, gear, coolant...

Yeah, I noticed the differences if you went the cat-back versus the Turbo Back...btw...remember I was talking about selling the TEINS and getting the Prodrive springs...there on and they are awesome...not as tight as the TEIN's but very much a daily driver now...

Hope to see you around as well...