cheap exhaust options

suba_dooba · Post by **suba_dooba** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:31 pm

i want my car to sound meaty without spending much money. i have a ea82 and i wanna get it to sound as if i have a sweet engine in it. do the exhaust tips do much, or are they just a losers way of trying to be cool?
thanks in advance.

julian · Post by **julian** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:03 pm

If you are just after sound, chop the restrictive rear muffler and weld on a less restrictive muffler. Most exhaust shops will loose fit a few mufflers in front of you until you find the right note and then weld that muffler on.

To actually improve the cars power characteristics (don't hold your breath, it wont change it heaps) weld a 2-2.25" pipe from after the headers with a decent catalytic converter and a muffler to give you a suitable volume/note.
A diameter much larger than this and you will be affecting the gas velocity of the exhaust. I dont know if the headers are worth changing on this engine but i cant imagine it would be an easy fabrication job (read$$$) and whether it would even be worth it as the stock ones look as if they flow pretty well anyway.

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:30 pm

suba_dooba wrote:i have a ea82 and i wanna get it to sound as if i have a sweet engine in it

Sorry mate, not going to happen. Well at least to a trained ear.

As julian said whack a can on it for the time being if you want the parp-noise. I'd have to say personally though I think its pretty lame. I certainly wouldn't mistake any EA82 exhaust for that of a WRX, EA's sound a fair bit different.

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:29 pm

I am up for a cheap exhaust option - I have come across a whole standard WRX system for $60.

My intention is to replace my EA82T system cos the dumppipe/cat is rusted and so is the muffler. It has already a 2.5" system.

Later when I have time, I will fit the lift kit, and I will need a new exhaust anyway, or modded to suit. One of my other projects will be to fit the TD035 turbo, so flanges will mate up.

Is this feasable to get a whole system for this price? Dump pipe and muffler alone would be worth it?

What size diameter do you reckon a standard WRX system is?

Your opinions or options please,
Cheers, Roger

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:40 pm

Pretty sure the standard WRX exhaust is 2.5", although it would really depend on the model.

AFAIK the WRX exhausts go under the rear axles rather than looping over them. AndrewT is the man to speak to, his L series runs a modified WRX exhaust system.

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:16 pm

o yeh sooba dooba me and alex took the 2.25" (?) cat-less exhaust off that wreck with u in mind. alex has it. its is 3/4 of the exhast- u just need to lengthen it at the back. no cat = more flow/power.
make us an offer.

Post by **Alex** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:23 pm

yes!..well worth it dude...custom made headers too!

alex

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:24 am

I don't think getting a stock WRX system is worth it. Even for $60.
(Infact Roger I have a 1999 one somewhere you can have for free - I got it with the intent of fitting it to my L series aswell - 60,000kms on it - was working fine when removed).
Go to almost any performance shop that does WRX exhaust systems, they probably throw 10 of these stock systems in their skip bin a week.

Basically there is no way it will even come close to fitting your L series. The bends are completely different, the heat shields will hit on everything, the rear muffler won't fit (have a quick look at the differences between a WRX muffler and an L series one). The only part I can imagine you might be able to fit is the catalytic convertor and even that will be an extreme squeeze.

Here how I know..
I bought a complete 3" mandrell bent stainless steel system "to suit WRX Impreza". I only used approximately 35cm of pipe from this system (one of the straight bits). The rest was made up of very expensive 45degree mandrell bends and ALOT of stainless steel wire for welding it all together.
After nearly a whole day of cutting, test fitting, recutting, changing angles, welding, grinding, welding again (Thanks Oversteer!) I've now got my exhaust system.
The CAT in this system was tiny in dimensions and just fitted not far past the turbo dump pipe (under the drivers seat). I had to throw away the "hotdog" resonator as there was nowhere it could fit. The rear Canon type muffler fits well in place of the L series one and the 3" pipe juuust manages to squeeze between the towbar and plastic bumper.
Another reason for the major differences is the Impreza exhausts are designed (as Tim says) to go under the rear diff brakets and driveshaft then angle up at the back. My L series one had to use a series of 45degree bends to route up and over the top of the moustache bar and driveshaft.

You're best off getting your piping replaced by an exhaust shop and welded up to custom fit.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:33 am

Btw those custom larger EA exhaust headers will make your car sound abit better but will give you LESS power. Loose too much back pressure.
Ask Mattim's about his experiences with this.
(his car did sound absolutely brutal though!)

As always the best possible headers for an N/A EA82 are the stock ones. The removal of the cat will make your car illegal and will not produce a noticable difference in power.

Post by **Alex** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:47 pm

Andrew, im very sure the L-series pre-1989 came with catless headers, ive been to the wreckes to get some and they had heaps...i didnt go with it cos i will loose massive amounts of power,(mainly cos my exhaust is 2.5inch)

i think with a 2.25inch exhaust or smaller you will get better power with catless headers..

alex

subanator · Post by **subanator** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:33 pm

Thanks Andrew for the info. Will just have to get a new one some time (probably when the lift goes in).
Looking at mine I think it maybe a 2.25" anyway.

suba_dooba · Post by **suba_dooba** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:57 pm

subi wrote:o yeh sooba dooba me and alex took the 2.25" (?) cat-less exhaust off that wreck with u in mind. alex has it. its is 3/4 of the exhast- u just need to lengthen it at the back. no cat = more flow/power.
make us an offer.

free? hahaha. geez i dunno how much an exhuast is. you tell me the price.
thanks
Sean

Post by **Alex** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:15 pm

1. 2.25inch catless exhaust**..................$50
2. Gst(10%)..........................................$5
3. Handling fee's....................................$1 per/meter

sub total..............................................$57

**note, this is 3/4 of a exhaust, you still need about another metre's worth(and preferably a muffler!)

alex

suba_dooba · Post by **suba_dooba** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:22 pm

1-asubaru memeber..........-$7

Sub total ........................$50
sold

Subafury · Post by **Subafury** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:59 pm

any exhaust shop will be able to extend it a little and whack on a muffler for not too much. but dont go to midas near us- i dont like em.

suba_dooba · Post by **suba_dooba** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 11:41 pm

come with me matt one day
im scared