So a funny thing happened on my way to Hi-HO....

02 March 2005, 09:15

Ken, believe me, that grill looks great in person. I wasn't sure if I liked it when I first saw the pictures, but when I actually got to see it at the show last weekend, I loved it. The whole Audi lineup made the TT look really dated, and the last gen A6 even more so.

Besides, it looks way better than that cluster**** "design" that Subaru is trying to come out with. At least the interior of the Tribeca will make you forget how ugly it is outside though

(the interior is REALLY, REALLY nice)

I think a lot of the newer cars look a lot better in person than in pictures. I loved the 997/Boxster pair when I actually got to see them, whereas I was lukewarm at best about the 997 on pictures. Likewise with the Ferrari 512, BMW 5/6 series.

OTOH, the cars that looked good on pictures (new SLK) looked like ass in person. It really did look like a 5/6 scale SL, and doesn't have the long body to make it look graceful. It doesn't exactally look mean either.

02 March 2005, 09:22

It doesn't matter whether you drive crappy or not, as long as you don't get caught as Thug like to say it. I probably paid my dues in tickets and come to think of it, I could have gotten myself an SR20DET S13 with the fines I paid.

Sunny: the only problem I have with any WRX/STi exhaust is that I need to extend it and resale goes to crap if I don't like it. I definitely need a resonator in the midpipe and some actual muffler. I thought about going custom with 3" MagnaFlow

02 March 2005, 18:30

I think Sunny Chu's MagnaFlow axel back was pretty loud.

02 March 2005, 19:04

Alex (Reset) has an Apexi WorldSport lying around (mid-pipe welded to the axel back however). No resonator still. I just need it to be quiet during cruising - no resonating the hell out of me under the car because I'm recording 94-96dB during cruising on unhearable frequency... once we meet and you get in my car, you will know what I mean

02 March 2005, 19:16

Hi

Bye

02 March 2005, 19:37

What you would like is a STi GC exhaust can with custom piping.

02 March 2005, 19:48

Actually, I'd imagine that an STi can of some sort would give you a fairly quiet system. Maybe a custom midpipe with a "cherry bomb" as a resonator and a 3" high-flow cat.

The reason you're not getting much help on the forum is people seem to like loud exhausts.

Sunny, I think the reason Betty's exhaust wasn't bad is because it's so far back to start with. Not much resonating either with such a short system I guess. Plus it was only a 1.6l engine. Also, we didn't run too many "plates" on the supertrap because based on postings on the internet the engine likes some backpressure. Wide open it was MUCH louder.

02 March 2005, 19:58

If I could find the STi GC exhaust - but remember, they only had a 2.0L where as I have a 2.5L. The current STi exhaust is not 3" is it? I know I don't want to restrict myself by going down to 2.5" and I need to do this quick since someone has offered to buy my cat-back already. Anyone know of a good place to talk to about building or buying one? I'm not certain if I would bother with Alex to try his welded Apexi WorldSport since it doesn't have a resonator.

Thug - yeah, people don't mind getting harassed by cops

02 March 2005, 20:12

The guy wanted to hear the exhaust - I suspect he would back out if he sat in my car for a while

02 March 2005, 21:13

The STi GC exhaust is a very nice unit, good compromise of flow and noise level. But I'm not sure why it would be better than a newer GD one? I thought the GD ones bolted right up, no?

02 March 2005, 22:06

Nerco - the exhaust hangers are in somewhat different locations. Well, maybe one hanger is in a different location, but that's something a little piece of welding and metal can take care of.

KGB - if you're willing to "hack" your midpipe up, I suggest you do what Thug suggested - a highflow cat, and a cherry-bomb type straight-through pipe coupled with your current muffler should be able to knock down the sound a bit. What you're hearing is the resonating of the exhaust pulses. If there's anything you can do to change these exhaust pulse wavelengths and minimize exhaust flow, you'll change the sound.

If you don't want to go that route, then your next best bet would be to find an STi exhaust - either an older GC one, or a newer GD one. Of course, you'll have to modify it a bit - maybe a hanger here, or an exhaust flange there.

LaterZ!
Darren!!

02 March 2005, 22:32

KGB, If I were you, I'd go for the newer STI's exhaust. Hanger locations are not an issue since you're going custom. Should'nt be much more work than say, me putting a WRX exhaust on my car.

02 March 2005, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllWheelDrift [iDub]

Sunny, I think the reason Betty's exhaust wasn't bad is because it's so far back to start with. Not much resonating either with such a short system I guess. Plus it was only a 1.6l engine. Also, we didn't run too many "plates" on the supertrap because based on postings on the internet the engine likes some backpressure. Wide open it was MUCH louder.

Right, I now remember the day when you took out all the plates (!) and started revving in the pits. That was loud. I couldn't hear anything but the exhaust when I did a run in it.

Darren, what about the length of the midpipe or the muffler itself? Aren't the GD's a bit longer?

02 March 2005, 22:38

Hmm, I'm getting those irrestible itch to own a 944T or a FD again. What the hell is it with me and finicky sports cars anyways?

02 March 2005, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necromancer

The STi GC exhaust is a very nice unit, good compromise of flow and noise level. But I'm not sure why it would be better than a newer GD one? I thought the GD ones bolted right up, no?

Actually, both GD and GC will bolt up to a turbo model - I still effectively have an NA exhaust and the midpipe usually needs to be lengthen

02 March 2005, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by -S-

Hmm, I'm getting those irrestible itch to own a 944T or a FD again. What the hell is it with me and finicky sports cars anyways?

I always wanted to own an FD but the sensible side talk me out of it (not to mention the lack of cash at the time of thought).

Apparently both WRX and STi are 2.5", the WRX maybe smaller (hence the Apexi WS2 is only 2.5" to be CARB certified). Without going to the brand names, looks like custom it is. The Fujitsubo looks nice and expensive though... Might go thru Lowell @ LR, maybe somewhere else as I'm undecided, yet again

02 March 2005, 23:16

If I didn't need the 2nd cat, there would be no cat on the midpipe since the long downpipe has a cat already. Would a cherry bomb fit under my car though...

02 March 2005, 23:58

Sunny - good question. I really don't know.

Hey KGB - did you do a Legacy Outback rear brake swap on your RS? My rear brakes are near the end of their life. My rotors are getting pretty thin and so are the pads. If I have to swap rotors, I might as well check to see if upgrading them works out to be about the same cost.

Rear brake job and bleed party anyone? Oh yah, I still owe Thug money for dem movie tickets.

LaterZ!
Darren!!