2012 Subaru WRX Stage 2 Straight Pipe Exhaust

2012 Subaru WRX with (almost) a straight pipe exhaust. This hopefully will give you a good idea of what a WRX sounds like with this setup in most conditions. Please click "Show more" for more information before asking questions.
Mods at the time:
COBB AccessPort Stage 2+ Off The Shelf Map 93 octane
Target PSI: 18.5
COBB SF Intake
Invidia downpipe
Stock Midpipe including the resonator
Custom Axleback
GoFastBits TMS Respons Hybrid (Fully Adjustable) BOV set to ~50%
The lights on top are PIAA and the LED lights are eBay 5 x 1watt.

[@Willie.dangle]

nothing sounds better then a subie. these cars sound like a fuckin beast!

[@blackxthink]

it's just the headers that does this. Every 4cyl could sound like that with a similar header setup. (unequal length)

[@Swaginabag24]

ヽ(｀Д´)ノ *the boxer engine makes the noise and what subarus are known for. You can not mimic the sound of subaru. hence boxer rumble

[@nicholaskondan2656]

Swaginabag24 Its actually the header. If you put an equal length header on a WRX or STi, you'll have that "fart cannon" sound.

[@MrPrime300]

False...my Tercel sounds way better than this 😂😂😂 joking

[@krinkin99]

+Nicholas Kondan You are mostly correct except for the fart canon sound. Look at my video I uploaded of my 15 WRX with a straight turboback.

[@rocketloncherboy]

idk if i like the repetitive back fires but i must admit the exhaust sounds beautiful

[@holycrapimawesome]

I could control when it popped like that so it wasn't all the time, just for the video. And thanks!

[@rocketloncherboy]

holycrapimawesome subaru = dream car for days

[@MrAsdfcool]

Chris eaton me to;)

[@rocketloncherboy]

subaru: rumble rumble rumble humahumahuma GURGALGURGALGRUGAL TFTFTFTFTFTTFT "blowoff valve"

[@rocketloncherboy]

El1TeGaM3r97 subaru: rumble rumble rumble humahumahuma GURGALGURGALGRUGAL TFTFTFTFTFTTFT "blowoff valve"

[@crazyspin19]

its fucking pissing me off how soon he shifts his car. like fuck its a Subaru not a semi.

[@DonZaloog88]

" I bet you can't hear yourself talk on the phone very well with that sound level. That would be the deal breaker for me" Then proceed by purchasing a nice little Prius if you must, and you can talk on the phone allll day while we actually DRIVE our fuckin' cars. It's not about being able to hear yourself. It's about drowning out the world with your exhaust note and loving every second of it.

[@ThePapyJay]

I own an STI with an awesome exausth line. This is just too loud. There is a limit to being such a show off douche

[@DonZaloog88]

Someone needs to teach your quiet ass the difference between FACT and OPINION. :)

[@ThePapyJay]

4Body2Soul You talk about "opinion", yet you're the one calling out some guy saying "then proceed by purchasing a nice little Prius if you must, and you can talk on the phone while we actually drive..". I'm not stopping you from purchasing some stupidly over-loud exhaust, I'm just saying that I wouldn't wanna look like an attention-needing kiddo when driving my car.

[@testing12361]

4Body2Soul I don't really think having a cop magnet is funcionnal. Atleast where I live you'd get pulled over 24/7 for being so loud, which is why I'm going to have to make my wrx as quiet as I can (the day I buy one :/)

[@DonZaloog88]

If the car is loud in it's stock form, under law, you can NOT be ticketed because it abides to state/federal regulations via dealership sale. Even if the cop tickets you regardless, you can fight it with ease. Making your WRX/STi quiet is like castrating it. Removes the ONLY signature growl every Subaru owner loves.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Let's see... Accessport for stage 2 tune: $550 SF Intake: $195 Downpipe: $291 Custom axleback: ~$125 BOV: $260 So all in all: ~$1400 Not bad for a car that does 0-60 in 4.17 seconds :)

[@boostedlyfe4089]

Hey man i have a few questions

[@ronniedalisay5477]

best video ive seen on a wrx, actually just a car review in general, you didnt even speak. Good job bro. Ill definitely be getting a wrx next year after watching this

[@holycrapimawesome]

Awesome to hear! I'm glad you liked it. Check out my other videos too, I have a sort of 'best of' video that focuses more on the exhaust.

[@dl7608]

that launch! so fucking sick

[@alexlopez2995]

Ugh... I just came.... Screw you man, all my boxers are in the wash.

[@AEsmondeProductions]

+Alex Lopez Lol, boxers, because Subaru.

[@MrAsdfcool]

+Andrew Esmonde na really😂

[@holycrapimawesome]

Ha no biggie! And warranties are for squares! I was stage 1 at 1050 miles :)

[@holycrapimawesome]

No problem. Nameless is a good way to go, I've heard nothing but great things about them. But, if you have the ability to do the exhaust yourself, you can save hundreds of dollars and that's definitely the way to do it. You can get away with not having winter tires until December. I live in Michigan too and actually bought this car in December lol. Didn't have winter tires for a few weeks, but we've been having mild winters so it was fine. Get the AP and intake!!

[@holycrapimawesome]

The after fire isn't necessarily a bad thing. Because it happens after the turbo, it doesn't hurt anything besides the exhaust. If your welds aren't strong, it might wear out your flanges pre-maturely. If you are going true straight pipe, be ready for some drone and rasp. My exhaust is loud, but because I left the stock resonator I don't have that much drone or rasp.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I don't think there is a real benefit to having a blow off valve at the boost I'm running. A lot of people say that BOV's are bad for WRX's, but after researching it, they don't seem to do any real harm, but I guess we'll see...Plus, the BOV I have is fully adjustable so I can make it 100% release or 100% recirculation.

[@holycrapimawesome]

BOV's are only bad if they aren't adjusted properly or if they leak. I know it doesn't add any performance and is just a "noise maker" and is almost pointless if you aren't making over 20psi of boost, but I happen to like the sound of it. Since the video, I have the VTA set to ~10% so it doesn't backfire nearly as much.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It depends on who you talk to about BOVs. They come with a bypass valve stock, which keeps the metered air in the system instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. The BOV I bought is fully adjustable so I can adjust it to be fully recirc, but I usually keep it around 15% atmospheric.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Probably from the short raim intake. It changes the sound dramatically. I have another video showing the difference between stock and the short ram intake when I had a stock exhaust so you can hear it better. Search through my other videos to find it. COBB SF Intake VS Stock Intake.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The thing I like about my BOV is that it is fully adjustable. I could make it 100% atmospheric or 100% recirc. I typically run at ~20% atmospheric and it doesn't pop like it did in this video, only when I really get on it does it afterfire.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Normally I would agree with you, but, I was intentionally trying to make the car backfire after shifting. To do this, you have to shift a little bit slower than normal. I can control the backfires through driving and shifting normal.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I can control when it backfires. If you notice the "slow" shifting, that is part of it. If i shift regularly, it doesn't happen. Or if I give it gas through a gear then let at shortly after full boost is built it'll backfire. And changing it to 10% helps too.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Oh yeah, the car definitely shoots flames. I have it set to ~10-15% right now and, although it doesn't backfire like it does in the video, it still shoots flames after a hard acceleration. I think there's three times you can see fire in the video :)

[@holycrapimawesome]

Thanks! The switch comes with the light kit. Since they are for off-road use only, they do not come on with the headlights. They could be wired in to turn on with the brights, that method is a little bit more difficult though, but definitely possible.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I can't notice any wind noise, even on the highway. Although my exhaust, obviously, isn't that quiet so that probably blocks some noise. It might affect my gas mileage slightly though. I'll message you a link to the gallery of how I ran the wiring.

[@holycrapimawesome]

They are PIAA brand. I bought the complete kit from Amazon. Came with the lights, wiring, relay and switch. Although in order to install them on the roof, I had to splice in my own wiring to get the amount needed.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I'm not sure on the exhaust cost, but it was less than $100. I just bought some piping from summit racing, including the y-pipe, and the tips from eBay. I had access to a welder and someone who knew how to weld.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The quality is definitely not the greatest. It's not bad, but it could be improved. It doesn't bother me that much but I'm sure some people who are picky about the sound quality change it out quickly.

[@holycrapimawesome]

They are just eBay LED lights. There are a lot of different options on eBay to choose from. The lights on top or PIAA. I bought the kit off Amazon and not directly from PIAA's website though.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Haha. It backfires more the higher percentage of atmospheric release the BOV is set to. In the video it was set to ~50% but I DD with it set to ~10% so it doesn't backfire as much. It is fun though :)

[@holycrapimawesome]

Technically, backfire is horrible for the engine. It's a good thing backfire isn't what's happening here. We are hearing my car afterfire which is what you are describing spot on.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Maybe...Although the raspiness that is the result of that from what I've heard from other videos would be hard to get used to. I would love to get the turbo spool at idle though.

[@holycrapimawesome]

That's probably because I have the COBB SF intake. It dramatically increases the sound of the intake. Take a look at my comparison video showing the stock intake vs. the COBB intake.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Yeah. The air is recirculated before the mass air flow sensor and the air that gets released into the atmosphere isn't measured making the car run rich for a split second between shifts.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Well I guess, technically, a straight pipe exhaust is an exhaust without any catalytic converters or resonators. Since I have my stock resonator on, technically it's not a straight pipe.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I'm not sure what the "SF" means, but that's what Cobb calls their intake systems. The intake allows you to hear the air being sucked in, not necessarily the turbo spool.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Not really hard, just took some time. I routed the wire through the roof ditch, under the trim piece, into the hatch to the headliner, down the pillar and up to the front.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Depends on your definition of fast lol. I need to take it to the strip because I really want to know what this car is capable of. My guess would be somewhere around 12.6.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I have a gallery of how the lights are attached, I have to message you the link though because I can't put a link in the comments. They are essentially double sided taped on.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The BOV doesn't need a specific tune, although most people would say that a pro-tune would be better so you can account for the loss of air the the BOV releases.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It is a GoFastBits Fully Adjustable BOV. The LEDs are from eBay, I'm not sure exactly which ones but they are 1watt each. And thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@holycrapimawesome]

Stock 0-60 is rated at 4.8 seconds or around that time. I haven't been on a dyno, but cars with similar mods have put down ~300hp and ~330tq. And thanks!

[@holycrapimawesome]

Not very rich, no. There is a split second where the car runs a little rich due to the BOV releasing air that has already been metered by the sensor.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Lol it's all good. It's the blow off valve, which isn't stock. The blow off valve basically releases the pressure that the turbo builds between shifts.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The COBB SF Intake makes the intake louder. Check out the comparison video I have to see the difference between the stock intake and the SF intake.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The BOV makes the car run rich for a split second between shifts. The extra fuel caused by this detonates in the exhaust system a.k.a after fire.

[@holycrapimawesome]

My dad owns a place where I was able to have it done. I bought all the piping but I don't know how to weld so someone there welded it for me.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Pretty much any after market exhaust will add some rumble. There are different levels of loudness depending on which brand or style of exhaust.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I like the sound of this BOV. Plus, the stock BPV, being plastic, has a higher chance to leak around the boost that I'm at, give or take some PSI.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I turned the vent down to around 15-20% atmospheric so it doesn't afterfire as much. I can pretty much control it now...and it is awesome

[@holycrapimawesome]

It's basically adding a downpipe and pushing more boost than a stage 1 tune. Stage 1 is just an engine tune, no other parts are required.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The lights are PIAA. I like them more than Hella, they seem to be better quality. Plus the kit comes with everything that you need.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Problem...lol. Yeah it's the BOV. It makes the car run rich for a split second between shifts and the extra fuel sometimes ignites.

[@holycrapimawesome]

And then I could pay $1000 for a civic and if I were to really put work into it, I could beat your $3400 Trans am... Odd.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Stock piping size, 2.5". I figured there wasn't a reason to go with 3" given that I'm still using the stock mid pipe.

[@holycrapimawesome]

OHOK...you should probably google this phrase: "2012 wrx stage 2 horsepower" let me know what you come up with...

[@holycrapimawesome]

I've read it gives 20-30 awhp, which is a significant amount. There are other reasons for going equal length too.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Maybe add a turbo to that header and it might be close. Those things sound sweet with unequal length headers!

[@holycrapimawesome]

Cheap eBay LED lights. 1watt per LED, 5 total. They are actually surprisingly bright for what they are.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It's not as bad as you'd think. Most of the time it's no louder than what you keep your stereo at.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I can't put links in comments (big brother is watching), so I sent you a message again lol.

[@holycrapimawesome]

That's what the original plan was, but due to budgeting issues I wasn't able to do that.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The popping is because I have the BOV. And no, that sound will never get on my nerves

[@holycrapimawesome]

I don't have a link, but I got them from eBay. They are 5x1watt per bar if that helps.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I don't know why it would be bad? The more flow, intake and exhaust, the better.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Yeah it's Yakima. I like the rack, it is very simple to take off or put on.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It is a catless dp from Invidia. I haven't noticed any over boosting

[@holycrapimawesome]

These model WRX's are all sticks, but not all Subaru's are sticks

[@holycrapimawesome]

That's exactly it. The BOV makes the car run rich between shifts.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It's a saying. As strong as an ox. The car is running strong.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Not as bad as one would think, around $100ish a month.

[@holycrapimawesome]

You can see the spray paint can at the 23 second mark.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Just high temperature spray paint, ~$5 at home depot.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Still running strong. Only ~13000 miles on the car.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I think the AP clears the code that would come up.

[@jrodscluster]

ew back fires. why didn't you just get rid go the stock mid pipe and went straight 3"? sounds good other than those nasty pops!

[@holycrapimawesome]

Stock headers. Gotta keep that boxer rumble!

[@holycrapimawesome]

Nope, no air box. Just running the filter.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Stock headers are unequal length lol

[@DrBoulter]

BOV and boxer engines don't mix very well.

[@landraider101]

that makes no sense

[@krinkin99]

+Puffin Billy I think he is trying to say Subaru's run to rich with a BOV and will run better with a BPV or at most a 50/50 set up.

[@DrBoulter]

+Puffin Billy ..... learn from +krinkin99 lol

[@holycrapimawesome]

Yeah this is still the stock turbo.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Probably around 3k RPMs at 80mph

[@holycrapimawesome]

Emissions? What are those? :)

[@holycrapimawesome]

No, but don't tell anyone ;)

[@holycrapimawesome]

Yeah, it's the 93octane map.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Thanks man. I really tried to cover all the bases and there is only so much the phone can pick up on. The only time I'm really annoyed by the drone is at ~50mph in 5th gear going up a hill of any degree. Other than that, you get the sweet sweet sound of that boxer engine all the time :). It is important though to have a resonator of some sort.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It all depends on what you're looking for in a vehicle. This car is perfect for me. Dry traction fun, rain fun, dirt fun, snow fun, decent autocrossing, good for track days and all in the versatility of a 4-door grocery-getter hatch. I love it!

[@holycrapimawesome]

No box, just the intake.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The downpipe is catless

[@holycrapimawesome]

Yeah that's from the short ram. If you look at my other videos, you can see the comparison video I made showing stock vs. short ram.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The downpipe took between 2 and 3 hours if I remember correctly doing it by myself. Welding the axleback took between 3 and 4 hours, that included cutting off the stock pipe, welding and painting the custom exhaust and making the flanges.

[@holycrapimawesome]

It's almost poetic.

[@holycrapimawesome]

The blow off valve

[@holycrapimawesome]

Wide Open Throttle

[@holycrapimawesome]

They are eBay LEDs

[@holycrapimawesome]

Not since '06.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Never! My BOV is fully adjustable so if it does I can just make it fully recirculate. It's not like you build full boost through every gear so it's not going off constantly either.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Private messaging always works. This question has been asked before and I had all the links. I'll look it up and send you a message.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Boost gauge

[@holycrapimawesome]

Duly Noted.

[@holycrapimawesome]

Like an ox.

[@holycrapimawesome]

I did the install myself, well, my buddies welded the muffler delete pipes and I installed the downpipe

[@holycrapimawesome]

'Murica

[@holycrapimawesome]

Thanks!