bergs Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 So a few days ago I bit the bullet and purchased the 3" XForce catback system though Summit Racing. It had free shipping and, as has been widely reported, the pricing of the catback was already modest to say the least. Fast forward 3 days and the exhaust arrives. I happened to be home for the delivery so naturally life's responsibilities took a back seat while I opened my new exhaust. As I removed packing material I saw the pipe bends and welds are beautiful and all the flanges appear to be plenty rugged. Definitely very good workmanship throughout....that is, until I started looking over the mufflers. As I continued to check things out it became obvious that one of them has blemishes to the point that material appeared to be peeling off. Now, keep in mind this is sold as a polished system however it is my opinion that, at the very least, the mufflers are chromed based on the peeling effect. I thought about it for a few minutes and decided to phone Summit to see about the possibility of an exchange and it was ultimately not big deal if they couldn't help After speaking with customer service it was decided that Summit would send me a replacement muffler with a shipping label to send the defective one back. So this thread is a bit of a combination of a vendor review and eventually a feedback thread on installation and cabin noise for this catback system. Huge thumbs up to Summit Racing. Their customer service has been and continues to be excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeInOregon Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 All that and no linky link ?? I can't be bothered to Google stuff Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergs Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 Link for what exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 All that and no linky link ?? I can't be bothered to Google stuff Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk Come on, summitracing.com I have been using them for many years, when I was looking for a propane heater for my garage, I called and spoke to a real person, before spending $700.00. Great customer service. 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...
bergs Posted March 23, 2022 Author Share Posted March 23, 2022 Well this is wonderful. Went to install the new catback and the flange on the cat disintegrated. I suspect my choices are to drop that section of pipe and will hopefully install a new flange or find a replacement entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 Didn't realize you still had the stock downpipe. An exhaust shop maybe able to weld on a new section 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...
bergs Posted March 24, 2022 Author Share Posted March 24, 2022 Yeah, it's mostly stock. As far as repairs, I thought about brazing a new flange since I have oxy/ acetylene all set to go. Also considering one of those flange repair kits that clamshell around the pipe and is bolted together on each side. Doesn't seem there are any current partouts here or on FB so the repair route is the likely path Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitexc Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 That lower connection seems to take a beating from the elements and maybe the moisture in the exhaust. I know the lower flange on my 72k DP had seen better days. Don't think whomever bought it cared.....likely turned it into $crapmonies. Interested to hear how you make out with the exhaust though. I always had good luck with Summit. Easy ordering and fast shipping. Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottydunno Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 Sub'd.. I don't wanna replace my Greddy, but may need a replacement.. Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergs Posted March 24, 2022 Author Share Posted March 24, 2022 Update regarding the returned muffler to Summit: Since the system is sold under a single part number, I was unable to order just the right side muffler. Summit ended up opening up another system that was in stock in order to send me the muffler in question. Replacement muffler arrived in 3 days with return shipping label. I immediately packed the defective one and shipped it Monday. A completely seamless exchange. I'll keep this thread updated as the installation progresses. Scotty - the flange party is in NH. Come on up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottydunno Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Update regarding the returned muffler to Summit: Since the system is sold under a single part number, I was unable to order just the right side muffler. Summit ended up opening up another system that was in stock in order to send me the muffler in question. Replacement muffler arrived in 3 days with return shipping label. I immediately packed the defective one and shipped it Monday. A completely seamless exchange. I'll keep this thread updated as the installation progresses. Scotty - the flange party is in NH. Come on up!I love NH, have family up there! I do wanna hear how this new exhaust sounds.. [emoji848] Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergs Posted March 27, 2022 Author Share Posted March 27, 2022 Once everything's back together I plan on taking a nice long drive to anywhere. There's a list to take care of besides the exhaust.... radiator, RF strut, swap wheels and front caliper slides. I'll mssg you when the repairs have been sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergs Posted April 10, 2022 Author Share Posted April 10, 2022 What is the general consensus regarding the heat shields above the mufflers? Mine are toast so the decision comes down to not worrying about it or fabbing some replacements. FWIW, the XForce mufflers are considerably smaller than stock so there will be quite a bit of air space once installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 I think you should be fine with the smaller mufflers. I removed the heat shield above the resonator back in 2011 because it had rusted. The wagon is still running the stock mid-pipe. I don't let the car idle much, so heat building up is not a concern. 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...
JoeInOregon Posted April 10, 2022 Share Posted April 10, 2022 We gonna get a video to hear how it sounds ? Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergs Posted May 24, 2022 Author Share Posted May 24, 2022 Well, the exhaust is finally installed and I'm not pleased....which sucks because the system sounds great. Below is the review I just left at Summit Racing. I truly wish I had better things to say about this exhaust system however it's difficult to see the silver lining after one muffler was returned on the first shipment due to chrome peeling (the mufflers are definitely chromed regardless of the system being advertised as "polished") and once everything was installed, the driver's side muffler hangs ~2" lower than the passenger side. On top of that, the passenger muffler is at least 3" toward the front as compared to the other side so there ends up being an alignment issue when installing the muffler tips. The exhaust note sounds great and offers a nice deep tone. The welds look good and the overall appearance of the system is also good. It's just that the fitment is horrendous and requires attention beyond the install. Summit is and has been great to deal with so none of this is a knock on the company and I will continue to order parts through them as needed. It's XForce that needs to get their act together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bergs Posted May 25, 2022 Author Share Posted May 25, 2022 I am currently in direct contact with XForce USA. Since this is not a Summit Racing issue, I asked them to supply me a contact number for XForce. During the call to Summit, the representative offered 3 solutions- 1) return the entire system for warranty 2) return the entire system and receive a refund 3) knock some $$ off in order to get the repairs needed to correct the alignment issues. THAT ^^ right there is what makes Summit so great! Called XForce and at one point heard the words "we've never had a complaint about alignment on the Legacy's" Maybe, maybe not. I sent to XForce 3 pics of my concerns with the mufflers, a short video showing the system as installed and also a web link from MAPerformance that shows similar alignment issues from other installs. Will continue to update as things progress... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted May 25, 2022 Share Posted May 25, 2022 good luck. yeah, Summit is pretty good, i've spent lots with them over the years. I even got my garage heater from them. 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...
bergs Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 Within 24hrs XForce has come back with a satisfactory solution! Ended up loosening both mufflers at their respective flanges and walked them each into place....little push there, little twist here, tighten down and it's plenty good now. The flanges are slightly misaligned as a result but it's not anything I'm going to worry about. Can't wait to start cruising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 FWIW, I put a thick bead of red RTV on both sides of the gaskets, let that set up for 15 minutes, before I install them. I think it helps to seal and maybe helps the gaskets to last longer. 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...
JJr Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 Lets hear the exhaust! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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