I decided to start looking into and working on the basic beginner modifications first: I/H/E.

I spent countless hours researching my search results and spent a majority of my past few days reading all the reviews in the well documented and archived Reviews section of this very well put together website.

In regards to the Intake portion. I've read the horror stories of CAIs. A majority of people who went this route had problems, but as with any situation there are a few exceptions. I'm currently debating between a Cobb Short Ram Intake or removing the silencer and installing a Moto-GP Elbow with a Green Filter air filter. Either seem like a good route based on the literature I've read. If I am incorrect in my assumption I would greatly appreciate your criticism and advice.

For the Exhaust system I have chosen Helix for the uppipe and downpipe. The price for the performance gains is indisputably worth it. The fact that both pipes are backed up by over 50 reviews with a 97% satisfaction average only further affirms my decision to include these two items in my upgrades. Unfortunately that's where I'm stuck. Mind you my knowledge with Imprezas is limited, although growing. I'm unsure of which exhaust system to get. Being that I already have a DP in mind, I should get a CBE, correct? I won't be using the DP that is included in a TBE. So I don't know what cat-backs will fit with the Helix DP that produce great sound and performance (I'm more performance oriented).

The same issue goes for the Headers portion. I'm unsure of which Headers to look into in conjunction with the Helix pipes. I've searched my head off, and am stuck on this as well.

In closing, is my Intake research accurate and are my selected choices good ones, and which cat-back and exhaust manifold should I look into?

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

Eh, reading around more -- is my perception of cat-back and turbo-back exhausts skewed?

I'll look around more. *sigh*

 

Stick w/the stock box, elbow delete & non-oiled panel filter. The stock box is not a restriction & is already a C.A.I. No need for an upipe yours is catless & there's no benefit to changing it. Dont bother w/a D.P. if your not getting engine management I.M.O. I went w/Cobb T.B.E. on mine so I cant be specific w/ the D.P. your looking at. I.M.O. you're better off getting a complete T.B.E. from one manufacturer than piecing a system together. I.M.O. best mods Access Port, T.B.E., elbow delete (if you like addl sounds) & non-oiled panel filter. Dont forget Swaybars & endlinks (good stuff). Hope this helps, but you'll prolly get a hundred opinions (including guys telling you to get a D.P., B.O.V., Short Ram & you don't need Engine Management). Headers will gain a slight H.P. bump (if you go w/Equal length) & you'll lose the Subie rumble. I.M.O. I didnt see the expense (dont forget coating) worth it & spent that money on Sway Bar's & endlinks. Good luck, just my 2 cents

 

Thanks highwayman. I'm getting better at this now.

I found my explanation of TBE and CBE on the EvoM forums.

My STi UP is catless as is, so no need to touch that. I'll research TBE systems and make my choice. If I can't find one I like I'll go with the Helix DP and find a CBE it'll fit to.

I'll keep searching and reviewing headers. If anyone wants to throw anything in, feel free. It'll help. I'll find what I need eventually though.

Thank you.


EDIT

Hmm, just discovered Crucial Racing. They're DP and MP look very enticing. Time to do more reading.

Knowledge is power!

 

i was also looking at the crucial dp too bad theyre on back order but bfore you do anything the first mod you should get bfore anything else is the COBB acessport lokk into it you wont regret it

 

It's on my list.

I'm looking at ordering the AccessPORT (amazing tool!) along with the Crucial DP/MP/Cat-back or an APS 3" turbo-back.

Still researching and talking to people.

 

helix has good exhaust parts. as for up pipe, dont really need it since its catless. (sorry didnt read above if someone already told you that) but for me im running an rs-r exhaust. im looking to getting my dowpipe soon and a stage 2 accessport. but as for your question about the helix dowpipe fitting another exhaust system, why not getting the helix cbe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAYdzAK934k

found that on youtube, hope that helps. goodluck finding exhaust

 

Wow, that sounds nice. I was looking at the full Helix combo too. It's cheap and I'm seeing good reviews on in.

 

Just to let you know, if you search around a bit you find find that the V3 helix downpipes have a ton of fitment issues. You will find that titek is currently the star for a great product at a great price. I vouch for them 100%.

 

Thank you pwn, I'll look into this as well. (:

 

I am actually thinking about the same setup as stormhalter. I got a 3" APS TBE with a Cobb Stage2 tune on it. I am pretty satisfied with how the car is pulling. But I am thinking about getting an intake, would it help the car preform and do I have to re-tune the car?

 

check out buschurracing.com - he just came out with new products for the wrx. he offers a larger diameter up-pipe which helps with spool and nets good gains. but i'd get some sort of EM first (cobb ap, utec, enginuity/openecu/custom reflash)

 

depends on the intake. some intakes like the k&n typhoon and buschur cai won't require a retune

 

Really, a CAI that won't require a retune or mess with your Subie? Do you have data to back this?

Wind: What kind of gains are you putting down with a Cobb AP stage 2 tune and that turbo-back? I'm curious. I'm debating between that, or a Crucial Racing DP/RP & Cat-back of my choice with a Cobb tune.

 

well, I just dyno it just last week with Dyno Dynamics dyno. I am did about 261whp and 270lb/tq. Since i brought the car used with all those parts in the car already, i never had the chance to do a baseline w/o the gain. But that should give you a rough idea of what you should be making.