WOOOOO!!!!

[BAC5.2]

Well, I just got my exhaust but I didn't have the gaskets to install it (Pep-boys sucks). So I wanted to start disassembling it. I got tired of trying to unbolt the rusty ass bolts, so I got destructive



I decided to run without the muffler until I could get the proper gaskets (less than 24 hours). It sounds super sweet.



I figure almost none of the bolts are going to unbolt, so I'll probably just end up cutting most of the pipe off.

And what's going in...





It's awesome! I'm stoked!

Another cool thing today...

I test drove a new Legacy Turbo, an SRT-4, and a new GTO.

Turbo Legacy was SUPER smooth and sweet. I REALLY like it . DEFINATELY a top contender.

The SRT-4 sucks. Flat out. So many things I don't like about that car, it makes the bottom of my list, right above a Toyota Echo. Fast, cool car, but not for me.

The GTO. Woah. I never thought I'd like an American car, but that thing is SWEET. It's tied for my next car. Fast in every gear, comfortable, quiet on the highway (65mph @ 1500RPM in 6th gear), and the Tremec 6MT is ssssmmmmooootttthhhh. Felt SOOOOO nice. Got to run out 1st and 2nd (with TCS on ) and it kept me plastered in the seat. If I could pick one up for around 30k, I'd probably consider it over an STi or Turbo Legacy. It's fun, fast, 30mpg, 6mt. Only down side is that it's not the most practical thing on the road. Still a VERY sweet car.

[Yukonart]

Pick it OVER an STi?!?!?!?

[BAC5.2]

Just might. My driving in the STi was minimal, but I clocked almost 40 miles in the GTO. The GTO just feels really really nice, but it doesn't have the Subaru Feel that I've become so accustomed to .

[THAWA]

remember what I said before

[BAC5.2]

Just call me Wilson...

[entirelyturbo]

Funny, my friend loves the SRT-4 and hates the GTO...

[mTk]

I ran without an muffler for a month or two. It sounded nice. The only thing that i've heard that sounds nicer is my current exhaust.

MK

[BAC5.2]

Funny, my friend loves the SRT-4 and hates the GTO...

Really? The SRT-4 has SO many flaws, for me anyway. Ciper would have a shit-fit over how poor the ergonomics in that car are (not to mention the clown-town looks of it).

[evolutionmovement]

You can always think of the GTO as an Australian car if it makes you feel better, but I thought you liked SHOs anyway.

Steve

[entirelyturbo]

Yeah it's weird. I never did like the semi-truck shifter of the SRT-4, or the fact that it's still a Neon , yet I thought the idea of having a rebadged Australian V8 supercar would kick ass. But he works at a body shop and works with Carmax for car prep and stuff, so he drives a lot of different types of cars. I really should just drive both myself and come to my own conclusion.

[BAC5.2]

WOOO!!!! Exhaust Installed.

Started it up with just the downpipe on. Loudest fucking thing I've heard in a long time. Super sweet. Then I got the rest of the exhaust on, and it toned down a LOT. Still sweet though. The 4" tip is going to take some getting used to, but I'll deal.

It's a LOT quieter than my exhaust sans muffler, but that's OK.

The Butt Dyno tells me that there was a significant power gain, which is nice. Sound is really nice, I can finally hear the exhaust again. I cranked the boost up a bit, but then remembered that I couldn't hit full boost because something is messed up with my FCD.

I'm so excited! WOO! And I just can't hide it!

6.5 hours total Labor.

I gotta give a HUGE thank you to Matt (Legacy92ej22t) for everything he's done for me in the past few weeks. From staying late to help with the IC install and the MBC install, to coming over and helping out with the exhaust. Thanks man, I appreciate all your help. I'll give you a call in 3 years and buy you a few beers.

[georryan]

ah, so you got matt's old 4 inch tiped muffler. That's cool. I'd be curious to see how fast you run at a drag strip with the boost at stock levels. I realize you ahve an intercooler so you should be a little faster than me, but I'd be curious to see if I'm running accurately healthy numbers. I'm trying to get a mechanic to go with me next time in his turbo legacy. He just might.

Nice job btw.

[BAC5.2]

Thanks man!

I don't plan on running stock boost levels any time soon . I do need to get my FCD taken care of, so I can stop running 10psi .

I can't wait to get my test-pipe .

[georryan]

hehe. Did you end up using your dp gasket?

[legacy92ej22t]

Phil- No problem my man, it was fun. I love working on Subies with friends. So how long were you and Roman at it after I left Tuesday night? It was about 2 hrs later that you guys called to let me hear the DP only exhaust note ( loud as hell! ). Hehehe. Did the system go in pretty easy? How'd the BEP mod go?

I'm really glad you like it.

Georryan- Yes, it ended up that he had a DP gasket and was able to use it AFAIK. He mentioned something to me that you were using your BEP only as a gasket. I have to say that I don't recommend that. I suggest that you get an OEM Subaru DP gasket and get it installed. The BEP should go on the turbo first then the DP gasket and then the DP. Maybe you could do it when you put in your up-pipe? Just some friendly advice.

Phil just called me while I was typing this and he broke 2 nipples off his coolant tank and is trying to limp his car home. These damn coolant tanks are really starting to piss me off. Someone should start making some aluminum ones like Milehi was before ( and sell them at a reasonable price ) so we can stop worrying about these brittle ass tanks. I hope he gets the car home safe and sound.

[BAC5.2]

Matt - Finished up at about 2:45am. The BEP was a bitch. I filed, sanded a little, then said "fuck it" and "smooshed" the plate a bit to get it to fit. Wen't in no problem. The axle back was pretty snug, but Roman, Andrew, and I all got everything on from the DP back in about 15 minutes.

Yea, I broke the nipples off the coolant tank about 6 miles from home. LUCKILY I was at my buddies work (who happens to work for the local community college in the tool room of the Auto Tech building). I broke BOTH nipples off the coolant tank, so we bobo'd up a fix (stuffed one hose into the other and hose clamped it together) and limped it home. Drove about 1 mile, and let it cool down for a half hour (it was 3/4 the way up the temp gauge). Then limped another mile, and let it cool for about 30 minutes. Then limped about 1 mile, and let it sit for about 1 hour. Limped it the next 4 miles home, coasting most of the way. I was an air-cooled suby. Got home around 3:30 or 4am. Can't go to work tomorrow unless I get the car fixed by 4pm. I want to remove all possibility of this happening again, so I will likely relocate the whole tank 90 degrees.

Total suck fest, espically when AAA served me a dick sandwich, and my insurance company sticking right there with them telling me I was up shits creek. I doubt I did any real damage though.