3" turbo back exhaust. 02 Wrx lose power?

Nicklaus220

Nicklaus220

New member
i just bought a 3 inch turbo back catback exhaust. they through in the down pipe for free. do you think that i will lose power with my 02 Wrx. I want to gain power if anything, what should i do, sell it or install it?

 
3" is perfect for a wrx. Turbo cars only gain power the bigger the exhaust is. If you ran with no exhaust it would be ideal. That being said what are you waiting for go install it. You need to either pick up a accessport or buy a map from xpt and have someone flash you.

 
Might as well find a catless uppipe while you're at it. New uppipe + turboback, and you will definitely feel a significant power increase over stock.

The 02-03 WRXs can safely run a new uppipe/turboback without a tune, but if you want the full benefits from it, get a tune after.

 
Might as well find a catless uppipe while you're at it. New uppipe + turboback, and you will definitely feel a significant power increase over stock.
The 02-03 WRXs can safely run a new uppipe/turboback without a tune, but if you want the full benefits from it, get a tune after.
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I have heard this but what is it that makes them different then the newer models?

 
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I have heard this but what is it that makes them different then the newer models?
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04+ WRX ECUs (Excluding STi models) use open and closed loop fueling. Basically, there is a delay between open and closed loop which causes the motor to run leaner, which we all know is bad joojoo. The 02-03 WRX ECUs don't use this open and closed loop fueling "feature". It was mandated by the EPA in 2004.

 
3" is perfect for a wrx. Turbo cars only gain power the bigger the exhaust is. If you ran with no exhaust it would be ideal. That being said what are you waiting for go install it. You need to either pick up a accessport or buy a map from xpt and have someone flash you.
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thanks for all of you help. (STINate) and (Ryan314) whats an accessport? I have no idea. I really love my Wrx i want to learn more.

 
thanks for all of you help. (STINate) and (Ryan314) whats an accessport? I have no idea. I really love my Wrx i want to learn more.
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know everything about what you're looking to buy before you buy, otherwise you end up with a pile of god knows what.

without further ado, my unofficial instructions for a bugeye.

the best route if you know very little, is to spend time researching parts and progressions for modifications. even with a lot of research you can still find yourself over your head. for a bugeye, i would progress to Stage 2 (exhaust, intake, tuning) and then forget about power for awhile.

Stage 2: Buy a downpipe, catted or non catted. We love invidia. Good fit, good quality. Then buy an STi stock uppipe. This is the best and cheapest route to go. Then buy a hi performance air filter (read: k&n). Now pick up a 3" cat back or an sti stock cat back with a 2.5" adapter.

These are the parts you need for a stage 2 setup. There's still more...

You need tuning, so that the car can safely run those parts and maximize the money you spent on them. In other car sectors this is called a "chip". Drop that term here because it's not for subarus. The easiest way would be a Cobb Accessport. It's pretty idiot proof and not horribly expensive for that generation now. Other options would be a pro tune from a shop (around $500), or open tuning software, which is very cheap but requires some know how or a friend with it.

My suggestion for your situation would be a cobb accessport, read about them on nasioc, pick one up, and then plug it in. it's very very very easy.

Cost estimation:

Downpipe: $200

Cat Back: $300

Filter: $50

Cobb Accessport: $400 (Depends on used or new)

I know it would be easier to buy things as you can afford them, but try to do your best to buy things in supporting groups as you can afford them. Do diligent research and you'll feel more confident in your purchases and won't hate your car nearly as much when you run into problems, because at least some of them can be forseen.

 
Mark, what I would have said nearly to a T.

to the OP, I did pretty much what he said, and it's a completely different car. You can get lucky and find some great deals on great parts on here or nasioc. Get to know the for sale sections on both forums very well. I originally did have an STi cat back, but found it to not be enough...plus Gabe gave me a great deal on a Maddad Whisper catback. Anyways, do what mark said....with a big stress on the tune. A Cobb Accessport will be your easiest to use. The bang for your buck with this setup is huge, and doesn't compromise reliability. I've been stage 2 for probably 8 months now, and I still thoroughly enjoy it.

Just don't slap an exhaust and superloud blow off valve on your car and rev the piss out of it and spit black smoke everywhere like I see some guys do around town. Your car deserves better than that!!!

Here is a link to Cobb's site for info on the AP:

http://www.cobbtuning.com/products/?id=3264

 
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thank you very much mark and theimbalence. i believe that i have a better understanding. i cant just go out there and buy some fancy exhaust and expect my car to run great. i need things to build on before getting the exhaust. yes a new cold air intake would be good. i love my car and thank you for pointing me in the right direction. if there is anything else i could do please let me know. thank you again

 
thank you very much mark and theimbalence. i believe that i have a better understanding. i cant just go out there and buy some fancy exhaust and expect my car to run great. i need things to build on before getting the exhaust. yes a new cold air intake would be good. i love my car and thank you for pointing me in the right direction. if there is anything else i could do please let me know. thank you again
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Keep your stock intake. It's just as good as most aftermarket intakes out there. You really don't need to touch your stock intake system until you're putting out serious power.

Just to respond to Mark's good info- He doesn't "need" any tune to run aftermarket downpipe and uppipe on his 02 WRX. It will run perfectly fine and safe until he decides to get a tune. Like I said, if you want the best out of the set up, then obviously a good tune is the way to go, but you don't absolutely need it for your 02 WRX.

 
you're right, you don't.

You also don't need to change your oil on a regular basis. You do it to maximize the performance, longevity, and efficiency of your motor. Why wouldn't you do that?

After being in a wrx with bolt ons and no supporting tune, I can honestly say it's worth it.

 
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