DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Looking for suggestions on how to handle the exhaust tips on the wagon to avoid the bumper melting. Currently have 2 extended hangars on the rear to lower it a bit. After painting the bumper, I think I've changed my mind on the JDM aluminum finishers and don't want that look although could always them paint black to tone them down a bit. I like option 2 but not sure if I'll be able to find a decent looking tip that stays very close in size from the inlet & outlet diameter that wouldn't be too large for the bumper cut-out. Options: 1. JDM aluminum exhaust finishers 2. Bolt on muffler tip extensions 3. Cut existing and weld on longer tips 4. Custom cut some aluminum and shape to bottom of the bumper cut-out and rivet in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubs Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Honestly, just send it. I haven't had any issues and I've been running this exhaust for almost two years now. I did however put reflect-a-gold on the inside part of the bumper that surrounds the tips as a precaution. I don't really know how much insulation that provides but I guess the extra layer is better than nothing. Besides, they're pitch black now anyways. I'm using 35mm Rallitek hangers and I have perfect fitment IMO. When the car is jacked up the exhaust does hit the rear drivers side toe arm (the longer curved control arm), but on the ground there is no interference. I also had decent ground clearance on my old JDM bilsteins. I can clear speed bumps with a full load of passengers no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRX USA Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 5. Have Madrig make custom carbon fiber heat shields. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 Honestly, just send it. I haven't had any issues and I've been running this exhaust for almost two years now. I did however put reflect-a-gold on the inside part of the bumper that surrounds the tips as a precaution. I don't really know how much insulation that provides but I guess the extra layer is better than nothing. Besides, they're pitch black now anyways. I'm using 35mm Rallitek hangers and I have perfect fitment IMO. When the car is jacked up the exhaust does hit the rear drivers side toe arm (the longer curved control arm), but on the ground there is no interference. I also had decent ground clearance on my old JDM bilsteins. I can clear speed bumps with a full load of passengers no problem. After looking at clamp on and other tips I think the reflective material/aluminum on the bottom of the cut-out may be the way to go. Spent too much money on a full re-paint with slight color change to send it just yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 5. Have Madrig make custom carbon fiber heat shields. I'd buy damn near anything that man makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Honestly, just send it. I haven't had any issues and I've been running this exhaust for almost two years now. I did however put reflect-a-gold on the inside part of the bumper that surrounds the tips as a precaution. I don't really know how much insulation that provides but I guess the extra layer is better than nothing. Besides, they're pitch black now anyways. I'm using 35mm Rallitek hangers and I have perfect fitment IMO. When the car is jacked up the exhaust does hit the rear drivers side toe arm (the longer curved control arm), but on the ground there is no interference. I also had decent ground clearance on my old JDM bilsteins. I can clear speed bumps with a full load of passengers no problem. How load is your exhaust ? Do you have a catted DP ? That exhaust on my wagon with a catless DP was way to loud. That same exhaust on my catted DP Spec B is fine. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Mac Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 I've just got a bunch of cable ties restricting the bush movement so that it can never sway enough to touch. That's on a JDM vehicle with the shorter bumper though 2000 Legacy B4 RSK - SOLD 2006 Legacy BP5 GT Spec B wagon - Garage Thread 2011 VW T5 van 2.0L of turbo diesel awesomeness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitexc Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Carbon or aluminum to fit the cut out....FTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 Between the terrible options of bolt-on/weld tips and the cost of tig welding extended 304 stainless here's what I decided to go with. Find an old license plate and flatten it, cut/mold to shape of bottom of cut out, hit with black heat paint and rivet on. They still have the old bumper to use as a template so I can enjoy the car while they work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infosecdad Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 If you are going that route, pick up a metal sheet from Home Depot or Lowe’s and use that rather than a license plate. I'm actually using HVAC metal tape in my cutouts, seems to be working fine for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jubs Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 How load is your exhaust ? Do you have a catted DP ? That exhaust on my wagon with a catless DP was way to loud. That same exhaust on my catted DP Spec B is fine. For the first year with the exhaust I was catted, catless now (both invidia). The main reason being that catted downpipes are expensive... and backfire/afterfire is too much fun. At idle and casual cruising there is virtually no sound difference, but once you lay into the throttle the difference is pretty noticeable. I have yet to get pulled over too and I have credit card sized gap in my gaskets lol. Highway cruising is overall fine for me. It's certainly not quiet, but with the windows up you can have a conversation inside no problem without having to raise your voice. And there's no headache inducing drone like every other 4 cylinder that are this loud. Honestly I would love to go louder at some point. My dream exhaust is a Q300 muffler on one side and a vacuum operated straight pipe on the other side. I bought most of the parts a few months ago but I haven't gotten around to welding it up. We happen to have one of the best sounding engines of all time, it's a shame not to take advantage of it. TBH, I think the main difference in volume that you're hearing is due to it being a sedan. My buddy had a FXT with a generic rumble-cannon and it was comical how different it sounded depending on where you sat, how much stuff is in the back, or if the seats were folded down. The open space allows for the sound to resinate about the cabin. I'm sure that if you just add some cheap Dynamat in the spare tire well it would make a night and day difference for you. Between the terrible options of bolt-on/weld tips and the cost of tig welding extended 304 stainless here's what I decided to go with. Find an old license plate and flatten it, cut/mold to shape of bottom of cut out, hit with black heat paint and rivet on. They still have the old bumper to use as a template so I can enjoy the car while they work on it. The reflect-a-gold I used is actually just a thin sheet of fiberglass tape with a thin metal layer for the reflective surface. IMO I think the fiberflass is doing most of the work protecting the bumper. If you use actual fiberglass insulation tape or multiple layers of reflect-a-gold I can't see you possibly having an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooosh Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Take the aluminum exhaust finishers to a local powdercoater and have em done (black I’m assuming) to tone em down a bit and they should stay in at the very least good shape powdered in a rough environment location like that. Prob cost you no more than $50-100 to get done Think that does justice to what that car is and deserves as everything else on it is finished and spotless and will serve it’s purpose as a functional piece as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanyb505 Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 I vote option 3, but I have no direction to give you. I've got the same exhaust on my wagon, and while I love the quad tip, the invidia tips look cheap and bare. I'd love to have something more substantial tip-wise, and closer to the edge of the bumper. On completely stock hangars I'm getting no melty plastic, so there's no tangible incentive for me to make the change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 I vote option 3, but I have no direction to give you. I've got the same exhaust on my wagon, and while I love the quad tip, the invidia tips look cheap and bare. I'd love to have something more substantial tip-wise, and closer to the edge of the bumper. On completely stock hangars I'm getting no melty plastic, so there's no tangible incentive for me to make the change. I completely agree with everything you said. Option 3 is the way I really want to go but I'm having a hard time reconciling ~$200 or more (almost a 1/3 of the exhaust) on just the tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgoodhue Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Option 3 is the way I really want to go but I'm having a hard time reconciling ~$200 or more (almost a 1/3 of the exhaust) on just the tips. I have spent a lot more than $200 fixing an exhaust to get it to my liking. On one of my cars I changed the muffler 3 times and added resonator. Yes it sucked to spend so much money (especially the 2nd muffler that the shop talked me into), but the end result was exactly what I wanted and overall I was happy. I am not 100% happy with the Invidia Q300 on my 5th Gen GT. It is touch too loud on the highway for my tastes, but I haven't got around deciding exactly what I want to do with it. IMO couple hundred is worth my happiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infosecdad Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 I don't want to tally up how much I spent on getting the exhaust look/sound correct. Needless to say, it was 5-6 iterations before I found what I'm happy with (Stromung FTW). If I'm going to drive it for years and years, I want to smile every time I climb in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 I don't want to tally up how much I spent on getting the exhaust look/sound correct. Needless to say, it was 5-6 iterations before I found what I'm happy with (Stromung FTW). If I'm going to drive it for years and years, I want to smile every time I climb in. Well I guess you got lucky, they don't list our cars any more, http://www.stromungexhaust.com/subaru.html Hey I just noticed you had a HKS Silent Hi-Power on your wagon. May 8 2017 in a post in the muffler forum. Did you replace that with the Stromung ? 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooosh Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Delete. Sorry wrong thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanyb505 Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I'm perfectly happy with the tone and volume of the grimmspeed catted dp and q300. It's 100% the visual that I would change. And without visual damage, it's difficult to justify paying for something to look differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infosecdad Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Well I guess you got lucky, they don't list our cars any more, http://www.stromungexhaust.com/subaru.html Hey I just noticed you had a HKS Silent Hi-Power on your wagon. May 8 2017 in a post in the muffler forum. Did you replace that with the Stromung ? I was very fortunate, yes. I managed to grab one of the old group buy catbacks that had essentially 10 miles on it. I went through exhausts in an order like this: - Stock - Added Invidia catless uppipe/catted downpipe - OEM 14 WRX catback (with and without resonator) - OEM 15 STi catback (with and without resonator) - Nameless 5" axleback - HKS Silent Hi-Power - Ebay catback - Nameless 5" axleback and 3" mid w/ resonator - HKS ES Premium and 3" mid w/ resonator - Stock - Stromung dual tip catback (Winner) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooosh Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 I was very fortunate, yes. I managed to grab one of the old group buy catbacks that had essentially 10 miles on it. I went through exhausts in an order like this: - Stock - Added Invidia catless uppipe/catted downpipe - OEM 14 WRX catback (with and without resonator) - OEM 15 STi catback (with and without resonator) - Nameless 5" axleback - HKS Silent Hi-Power - Ebay catback - Nameless 5" axleback and 3" mid w/ resonator - HKS ES Premium and 3" mid w/ resonator - Stock - Stromung dual tip catback (Winner) Damn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 14, 2019 Author Share Posted March 14, 2019 I was very fortunate, yes. I managed to grab one of the old group buy catbacks that had essentially 10 miles on it. I went through exhausts in an order like this: - Stock - Added Invidia catless uppipe/catted downpipe - OEM 14 WRX catback (with and without resonator) - OEM 15 STi catback (with and without resonator) - Nameless 5" axleback - HKS Silent Hi-Power - Ebay catback - Nameless 5" axleback and 3" mid w/ resonator - HKS ES Premium and 3" mid w/ resonator - Stock - Stromung dual tip catback (Winner) That is quite the history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooosh Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 After seeing NewEraHanz aluminum exhaust finishers I think you should 100% get those things powdered black n put em on. They’re really sharp lookin. Even if you do go another route wit the tips/exhaust etc that’s a sick finished look. The black shields would flow right into your blacked out center section n look really good. My $.02 If you don’t use em msg me. Sold!! Haha Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorDaveLGT Posted March 14, 2019 Author Share Posted March 14, 2019 Ha I'm definitely getting them powder coated. Black is the number 1 option at the moment but I've been toying with the idea of getting them done in gun metal to match the wheels. A mix of having them stand-out yet toning them down at the same time. Thing is I'm terrible at visualizing so I'll probably play it safe and go black. Even after putting these on I think I'm still going to have the tips re-done at some point to up the size from 60mm to 2.5" and make the flush with the bumper or just a smidge extended. There is a user on here (I think Rattsl) that had them powder coated a dark grey or black and has them on his black sedan. Check out the OBP photo thread and you can see them. I think they look great but would also love to see his color finishers on a white one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooosh Posted March 16, 2019 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Ha I'm definitely getting them powder coated. Black is the number 1 option at the moment but I've been toying with the idea of getting them done in gun metal to match the wheels. A mix of having them stand-out yet toning them down at the same time. Thing is I'm terrible at visualizing so I'll probably play it safe and go black. Even after putting these on I think I'm still going to have the tips re-done at some point to up the size from 60mm to 2.5" and make the flush with the bumper or just a smidge extended. There is a user on here (I think Rattsl) that had them powder coated a dark grey or black and has them on his black sedan. Check out the OBP photo thread and you can see them. I think they look great but would also love to see his color finishers on a white one. Closest black to match that center section. They stand out no matter what just cuz they’re sick n clean and will give a nice finished line across the whole bottom/center of the bumper from outside edge of finisher to finisher. I have a pretty good eye for this stuff before it’s done...prob cuz I’m left handed. Haha. Again just my $.02 but seriously think that’s a dope, somewhat subtle, finished look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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