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Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:13 pm
by NDARYD
Hey all,

I am looking to upgrade my standard exhaust on the '04 GT and would like to know if it's possible to get the unique WRX roar sound from the exhaust on a Liberty GT as they use the Boxer motor?

I was looking at most likely two dual tip sports mufflers and can upgrade the piping/cat if needed also.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:29 pm
by hamish_023
Do a search, The 04-06 run a completely different set up and the sound if therefore much different.

Short answer = No

Long answer = yes but a fair bit of custom work and $$ involved, it's not just a matter of putting on a new exhaust.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:37 pm
by JDGT05
Hey mate,

I have an 05 GT, I also looked into doing this quite some time ago. It is possible but the twin scroll even header setup that our cars have makes it difficult. Like hamish said it is very costly just so you can have to wrx sound. I ended up deciding the sound we get out of ours is better/less common than the wrx noise anyways.

But should you continue to go through with it, yes it is possible. Just hard to justify when you could spend that amount of money on some better mods.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:43 pm
by NDARYD
Thanks for the reply mate. Yeah only reason I ask is because I heard a Liberty drive past me the other day and at first I believed it to be a WRX from the exhaust roar but then turned around and it was a Liberty.

I have done some research and noticed that the WRX use the unequal length headers and believe this is what is mainly needed for the sound. I will do some more research myself and if anyone has actually done it, please let me know.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:45 pm
by hamish_023
plus modifying it to sound like a wrx will be no performance gains what so even. You will more then likely notice a drop in performance.

Get a decent pair of mufflers (TCP/Hitech) and if it's not loud enough then go a dump pipe (phat) and enjoy the unique sound. You probably heard a 07-09 Liberty as they returned to a wrx style set up.

It has been done before by a few member's here.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:47 pm
by hamish_023

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:59 pm
by JDGT05
NDARYD wrote:Thanks for the reply mate. Yeah only reason I ask is because I heard a Liberty drive past me the other day and at first I believed it to be a WRX from the exhaust roar but then turned around and it was a Liberty.

I have done some research and noticed that the WRX use the unequal length headers and believe this is what is mainly needed for the sound. I will do some more research myself and if anyone has actually done it, please let me know.


the new models 2.5T from about Late 06..07 onwards (someone correct me if I'm wrong) can get that wrx burble.

You will most likely get a drop in performance unless you go all out. But previously owning a WRX most of the powerhouses that get built upgrade to twin scroll even headers upgraded from the singlescroll uneven.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:29 pm
by BJ
The reason the WRX makes that sound is because it has a very badly designed exhaust system, where you have the primary pipes from 2 consecutively firing cylinders going into the same secondary pipe. On a boxer engine, it just happens to be the cheapest way to build the exhaust, but anyone who designs exhaust headers will tell you that joining two consecutively firing cylinders together like that is about the worst thing you can do for performance.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:26 am
by NDARYD
Thansk heaps for the responses guys.

I have spoken to my local exhaust shop (very well known and reputable company in Sydney) and they have informed me that it is achievable to get the WRX sounding exhaust on my Liberty with the following: 3" Turbo Back Exhaust with dump, 100 cell cat, ressy and varex mufflers with oval tips (dual - remote controlled).

I asked what about the Liberty having even length headers as opposed to uneven on the WRX and was informed if I want that WRX thumpy sound to keep my original headers or get an un-tuned length of extractors.

Any opinions/thoughts guys?

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:42 am
by hamish_023
Wanting opinions? Read all of the above comments...

Your exhaust shop is wrong, it won't sound like a wrx with the items listed. Have a search in the exhaust thread of the twinscroll 2L sound.

If you want to step back in performance then go for it

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:50 am
by NDARYD
I have read all of the above comments and was seeking any further opinions from other people.

You mention "step back in performance". Why would this setup provide less perfomance?

And is there any benefits between stainless and mild steel as there is a price difference of $300 for the system mentioned.

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:04 am
by iisshhyy
Sorry Tome but your exhaust shop is wrong, very very wrong. Without UEL headers you won't get a WRX burble. Go to the exhaust video's section and listen for yourself. That page might also give you some ideas about an exhaust setup

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:27 am
by BJ
You will get reduced performance because the exhaust system will be inefficient. The system that makes that noise does so because it is a cheap nasty arrangement. Why would you want to reduce your performance just to get a silly noise?

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:58 am
by NDARYD
Okay thanks guys, I shall check the Exhaust Video section to get some ideas (couldn't do this earlier as I was at work).

And I obviously don't want to lose performance over some noise, that's why I am trying to do as much research as possible before committing to any decision. If I could have got the WRX noise without losing perfomance that would have been a bonus but looks like it's not possible.

Thanks again for all your help :)

Re: Is it possible to obtain a WRX sounding exhaust?

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:06 pm
by norbs
Just to re-iterate what others have said. You need UEL (unequal length ) headers to get the sound which will come with a slight performance drop.

I'm a bit like you. I do like the boxer burble but I wouldn't lose power to get it :wink: