eBay exhaust..my review.

inski

inski

New member
My take on my el cheapo eBay exhaust for my 1997 OBS

--- 3 stars out of 5 ---

--- cliff notes:

(1) fits ok, (2) had to make my own flange at the cat, (3) needed a long kartboy, and (4) flattened a portion of the fatty pipe, (5) sounds pretty sexy.

N1 style (mellon shooter) 3" stainless cat back, specified for a 98-01 Subaru RS.

$118 shipped

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Hangers were all in the correct spot.

Hangers were all orientated correctly except for the one on the right side of the muffler, could have been angled down more.

Flanges were very rugged 1/2in.thick, matched each other well, except the flange that was suppose to mate to the cat. The stock flange has a donut gasket and spring bolts to allow for a little flex. The ebay unit had a flat flange with a matching gasket included. So since my stock cat flange was rotten I cut it off and welded on a custom made flat flange to my cat to match the new SS flange. Not for the average DIYer. This is where most of the points were lost, although I was going with it since it was only $118!
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Bolting up was challenging. The shear fatness of the 3" pipe caused contact at the left rear axle, close to the diff. Common issue with 3" exhausts. So I dropped it and hammered a flat spot. I probably wouldn't have to do this if I got 2.5" pipe. Bolted back up. Close but not rubbing now.

Muffler made contact with the bumper, so I used one Kartboy long hanger on the previously mentioned right side muffler hanger. Presto!! Everything sitting good. No rattles, about a 1/2" clearance at the left rear axle and entire system pretty close to center all the way down the middle of the car.

The muffler came with a baffle silencer. It rattled due to only having one mounting nut and bolt. It would be good if I added another thru-bolt opposite side of the other one, but I just removed it so I could experience the full sound FX.

Muffler sits slightly angled. I like that.

Sound is surprisingly good. Not loud in the car, no drone. Starts talking at 2500rpms. Above 4Krpms it sounds like a 350z. I like that.

Big thanks to 1-Adam-12 for the idea. Nick for helping build the flange. Andy helping me hold things up during install. Joel for letting borrow the kartboy hanger.

Video coming this weekend.

 
inski, what % of the "alterations" are made due to it being an obs? the flange was because of it, how about the "reshaping"

 
pics tomorrow during day lite hours.

0% was because its an OBS. Because it is 3" piping kartboy long hangers all around would have cured any tightness at the rear diff I only had one. I know many 3" systems dont even fit STis very well, same tunnel, same wheel base, same bends, roughly same diff size, ect. The flange was just a generic flat flange on the new cat-back that did not resemble any kind of Subaru cat flange (donut). The manufacturer even necked down the pipe to be a similar diameter to the out put side of the cat, then ruined a perfect bolt-up with that flat flange. Honestly I'm really pleased it fits as well as it does considering how cheap it was. OH!, and the piping is pretty rugged too. Took quite a few blows with the BFH to make that semi-flat spot at the rear axle.

Yip, looks very much like the exhaust on that red car.

This is the ebay seller. http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/speedyracer-honda

However, with some diligent searching you might find a direct fit exhaust for a similar price. You never know til you look.

 
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all the aftermarket cat backs i've seen have a flat 2 bolt flange anyway and if you want to use the stock DP you need an adapter to the 2.5" donut gasket. obviously with having actual skills you can go the fancy pants welding a new flange on method
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Honestly, the adapter would have had a more professional result. But my cat flange was rotten. After cutting it off I guestimated approx. 1-2 months life left on it. And I was rushed into completion a bit. I started the install thinking I had 2 hours...then I found out everyone including the sales dept was leaving early. I only had 45 minutes to make it work without leaks. SO you can imagine the craftsmanship.
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The more expensive cat backs Stromung, Borla, Perrin usually have the correct Subaru flanges...from what I've seen.

 
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