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custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:54 am
by smok0
okay, so I own a run of the mill 2.5i NA 4spd auto with a stock exhaust system.

while a performance gain isn't exactly my goal here (although it would be preferable), how would I go about getting the exhaust to have a more deeper tone? right now I can't say I am too impressed with the noise that comes out of it.. what would I be looking at replacing? like I said it's a 4spd auto non turbo so I have no idea if I can even achieve something like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksr353DH27w

been having a look at some of these: http://www.bestmufflers.com/bshop/ad..._description=0

anyway, thanks for the help.

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:31 pm
by shav
If you are looking for the 'boxer/wrx' tone, the first thing you need is Unequal length headers, and then any cat back exhaust you want straight after. Then spend a bit more coin and pay for a Kido tune to maximize the benefits of the exhaust.

UEL headers - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Subaru-Impreza- ... 65&vxp=mtr

Cat back - http://www.bestmufflers.com/bshop/produ ... k23gv3q790

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:58 pm
by smok0
okay, so if I were to ignore the UEL headers and just go for the catback & mufflers, I won't get much different in sound?

those UEL headers are for an imprezza, although I do see the "Will fit 2006-2007 model only if use with Pre-2005 model Cat & Catback Exhaust" .. any local sellers?

thanks for the help though, definitely helped!

e: already tuned, so good to go there.

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:10 pm
by shav
smok0 wrote:okay, so if I were to ignore the UEL headers and just go for the catback & mufflers, I won't get much different in sound?

those UEL headers are for an imprezza, although I do see the "Will fit 2006-2007 model only if use with Pre-2005 model Cat & Catback Exhaust" .. any local sellers?

thanks for the help though, definitely helped!

e: already tuned, so good to go there.


If you forget the headers, you'll just get a louder version of what you hear now and some additional flow, if that is what you want. Similar to a 4cyl corolla with a cannon IMO.

As long as the description tells you what engine its designed for, you should be ok with these. Yours is an EJ25 yeah? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Subaru-fores ... 892&_uhb=1
I have a mate who fit these and it made his non turbo manual impreza sound similar to a wrx without the whoosh of the turbo. :P

I strongly recommend getting the car retuned AFTER the exhaust is fitted for maximum results and protection of your engine.

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:38 pm
by smok0
shav wrote:
smok0 wrote:okay, so if I were to ignore the UEL headers and just go for the catback & mufflers, I won't get much different in sound?

those UEL headers are for an imprezza, although I do see the "Will fit 2006-2007 model only if use with Pre-2005 model Cat & Catback Exhaust" .. any local sellers?

thanks for the help though, definitely helped!

e: already tuned, so good to go there.


Yours is an EJ25 yeah? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Subaru-fores ... 892&_uhb=1


haha how can I tell?

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:53 pm
by shav
smok0 wrote:
shav wrote:
smok0 wrote:okay, so if I were to ignore the UEL headers and just go for the catback & mufflers, I won't get much different in sound?

those UEL headers are for an imprezza, although I do see the "Will fit 2006-2007 model only if use with Pre-2005 model Cat & Catback Exhaust" .. any local sellers?

thanks for the help though, definitely helped!

e: already tuned, so good to go there.


Yours is an EJ25 yeah? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Subaru-fores ... 892&_uhb=1


haha how can I tell?


generally 2.5L means EJ25. You should be able to tell on your ID plate in the engine bay

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 4:37 pm
by smok0
can't seem to find it anywhere, perhaps someone could identify it? http://imgur.com/oD8wJRE

forgive my total ignorance and shaky hands :lol:

anyway, before I spend a couple of hundred on some UEL headers, want to make sure they definitely fit. also, the two links you've provided, I noticed they're different lengths (difference (in length) between the two headers), will this alter the end tone in anyway? am I better just going to a exhaust specialist and getting them to custom make one?

thanks again!

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 6:27 pm
by shav
top of the shocker tower, is there a plate that identifies the engine number? What year is your car for a start?

Failing this you can approach your nearest Subaru dealership for them to look up your car on the computer. I suspect your car is a EJ25 (25 meaning 2.5L).

The first link I sent was for 2.5L Libs from 95-05. The second link is for 2.5L libs from 94-07. Once you work out what year it is, and you buy the UEL headers. Go get a quote for a cat back and for them to fit the headers at the same time.

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 6:51 pm
by smok0
okay it is an ej25, 2007 model.

will scope out some exhaust specialists and check them out. thanks.

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 6:53 pm
by shav
smok0 wrote:okay it is an ej25, 2007 model.

will scope out some exhaust specialists and check them out. thanks.

Good to know you confirmed the model and year.

Let us know how you go with the exhaust. All the best

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 8:28 pm
by KiDo_Tuning
smok0 wrote:can't seem to find it anywhere, perhaps someone could identify it? http://imgur.com/oD8wJRE

forgive my total ignorance and shaky hands :lol:

anyway, before I spend a couple of hundred on some UEL headers, want to make sure they definitely fit. also, the two links you've provided, I noticed they're different lengths (difference (in length) between the two headers), will this alter the end tone in anyway? am I better just going to a exhaust specialist and getting them to custom make one?

thanks again!


Your car is a 2.5L :)

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:14 am
by smok0
KiDo_Tuning wrote:
smok0 wrote:can't seem to find it anywhere, perhaps someone could identify it? http://imgur.com/oD8wJRE

forgive my total ignorance and shaky hands :lol:

anyway, before I spend a couple of hundred on some UEL headers, want to make sure they definitely fit. also, the two links you've provided, I noticed they're different lengths (difference (in length) between the two headers), will this alter the end tone in anyway? am I better just going to a exhaust specialist and getting them to custom make one?

thanks again!


Your car is a 2.5L :)


worth the re tune if I go this route?

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:23 am
by shav
smok0 wrote:
KiDo_Tuning wrote:
smok0 wrote:can't seem to find it anywhere, perhaps someone could identify it? http://imgur.com/oD8wJRE

forgive my total ignorance and shaky hands :lol:

anyway, before I spend a couple of hundred on some UEL headers, want to make sure they definitely fit. also, the two links you've provided, I noticed they're different lengths (difference (in length) between the two headers), will this alter the end tone in anyway? am I better just going to a exhaust specialist and getting them to custom make one?

thanks again!


Your car is a 2.5L :)


worth the re tune if I go this route?


Matt's initial tune is worth it for sure. I would say it is worth it to get the maximum benefit out of your modifications, as well as ensuring there is no potential risk with knock or running rich which is likely to occur once you change something on these cars. The question is if Matt is able to look at tuning the non turbo ecu for this model ok.

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:05 pm
by KiDo_Tuning
shav wrote:
smok0 wrote:
KiDo_Tuning wrote:Your car is a 2.5L :)


worth the re tune if I go this route?


Matt's initial tune is worth it for sure. I would say it is worth it to get the maximum benefit out of your modifications, as well as ensuring there is no potential risk with knock or running rich which is likely to occur once you change something on these cars. The question is if Matt is able to look at tuning the non turbo ecu for this model ok.


Yeah, retune to get some solid gains. Do rear mufflers too if not done yet

It is an early 06 Auto ECU, I had to write my own definition for it :) Auto is much better behaved already too!

Re: custom exhaust on a 2.5i 4spd NA auto

PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:55 am
by smok0
I've actually gone off the UELs, just can't justify the price involved.

still not 100% on the catback, if in all honesty I am just going to get a change in looks, I won't bother. Given it's a very run of the mill engine, would I get anything out of it that I wouldn't sticking with the stock exhaust? Got quoted $590 for the xforce catback + install. Obviously won't bother if it changes nothing.

thanks again!!