Review of new Invidia 3000 Quad-Tip

[mr_csl]

I couldn't figure out how to add a new review of this exhaust so I'm posting it here. It's especially necessary because I just got done my first track day with the exhaust. If you want to read about that, skip to "Cons"

 

I've had it for about 2 months now and have pros and cons:

Pros: Obvious looks, Great sound.

I switched from the Borla system to the Invidia Q300 Quad Tip. I got the Borla because I didn't want a huge sound increase but wanted the power...Check. I decided that when I went to the VF52, and a quad was available, bam I'm on it. Sound is awesome. The signature Subie sound is there, but quicken with quad pipes. Sound at idle is great and then you put your foot in it and it's damn nice. I love it. However...

 

Cons: Fit. Kills the diffuser.

With all 4 stock hangers, the passenger tips were hitting against the outside of the passenger diffuser and melted part of it. After trying several combination of stock, STI, Kartboy, and hangers from Advanced Auto parts, the only way the exhaust aligned correctly was with 2 stockers and an STI - that's right - 3 hangers.

Enter my track day.

Damn these pipes are hot and man the quad pipes needed a lot of room to move around. Check out the diffuser after a day at the track. I don't think I need to say anything else...

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/album.php?albumid=666&pictureid=3505http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=666&pictureid=3503

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=666&pictureid=3504

http://legacygt.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=666&pictureid=3505

http://legacygt.com/forums/album.php?albumid=666&pictureid=3504

http://legacygt.com/forums/album.php?albumid=666&pictureid=3503

[nemo]

Unfortunately it is a known problem with this exhaust... the fitment. It is not good. It's not the hangers, it's the exhaust itself.

 

Check out these two threads, they might be able to help you straighten it out. Good luck!

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/new-quad-tip-muffler-stay-tuned-121612.html

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/invidia-quad-tip-catback-exhaust-126880p4.html?highlight=invidia

 

It really is a sexy exhaust though

[LegacyGTBiggie]

Which track are you going to? just asking since your Kinda local.

[HarryN]

If they made exhaust surrounds for the rear bumper/diffuser, this would be no problem. I have the same thing on my car, except on the passenger side. I thought I had it adjusted when I took it to my dad's garage and bent it to fit, but looks like it heat warped back into its original shape and even took a bite out of my bumper. It's not as noticeable, but it is there.

 

I just wish we could get these here in the states:

 

http://www.japanparts.com/images/ImageFromDB.php?base=1&no=19173

 

Alas...

[TSiWRX]

^ The garnish really will need to be functional - I honestly don't know if they are.

[HarryN]

^ The garnish really will need to be functional - I honestly don't know if they are.

 

How is an aesthetic part supposed to be functional? Do you mean if it was aluminum?

 

If that is the case, wouldn't the WRX bumper garnishes fit on our cars? I think their cuts are almost as wide as ours.

[TSiWRX]

How is an aesthetic part supposed to be functional? Do you mean if it was aluminum?

 

^ Not just that it would need to be aluminum or the like - but that even so, it'll incorporate features (perhaps a heat-defeating backing/fill material) to avoid transferring heat to the surrounding bumper skin, including the sections on which it is mounted.

 

I've never gotten a clarification, one way or the other, as to whether the Subaru garnish was an aesthetic enhancement only, or if it also fulfills a functional role (and if it did, exactly how much protection it will afford).

 

If that is the case, wouldn't the WRX bumper garnishes fit on our cars? I think their cuts are almost as wide as ours.

 

^ Unknown. No-one has yet cross-tested.

[mattg]

I wouldn't be very pleased with that.

[maddoc]

I wouldn't be very pleased with that.

 

No one who has this exhaust is

[Brock Samson]

I'd happily pay $200 over for a perfect-fit, no-burn, good power and sound quad-tip CBE.

[TSiWRX]

^ That's probably what it'll cost a shop to put on and adjust the current model for you.....

 

It's disappointing, given Invidia's name, as well as the fact that other manufacturers, at this price point, have been able to deliver offerings which fit better as well as do not cause bumper-skin melting issues, dual tips or no.

[mr_csl]

Which track are you going to? just asking since your Kinda local.

 

I was at Summit Point, the Shenandoah Circuit. I love that track. It's a shameless plug, but here's video of my weekend's exploits. It was this day that lead to the melting of my diffuser.

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/cslittle1

[HarryN]

Damn, csl... that video was bad ass! The beginning was a bit overdone with the rewind and go from multiple angles, but that was a great video nontheless!

 

BTW, if anyone was thinking about getting the bumper garnishes for the Legacy STI from Japanparts.com, don't bother. The Legacy cutouts for our mufflers are much smaller.

 

I am still trying to find a local shop that carries the bumper garnishes so I can try em out. If I can find out that quazi fits, I can do some modifications and make it work.

 

As far as functional garnishes, I don't think that is going to happen. You still need to properly align your exhaust. Or you can get the 15mm Kartboy hangers and have the cans sag a little to avoid touching the bumper.