Intake or Catback first?

**BEASTmode632** · 12-06-2012 08:23 PM

Im buying a Cobb AP first but after what would be better to get an intake or catback exhaust?

When it comes to the intake is there a difference or reason either a CAI or short ram would be better than the other?

And as far as the catback i am looking into the Invidia Racing Cat Back. Will it bolt right up to the stock midpipe and still work when i upgrade the midpipe/downpipe? or will i have to have some type of different flange?

Im new to the Subaru world so i have a **** ton of questions. Thanks for any help i can get

**zax** · 12-06-2012 08:44 PM

Neither will improve power output. In most cases, the intake will necessitate a tune to scale the MAF. As such, if it's sound you're after, the question has already been answered. Also, post your year/model; we're not psychic.

**UEDan** · 12-06-2012 08:50 PM

Then use the force and read his sig

**Mf645** · 12-06-2012 08:56 PM

neither. Start with the Cobb and a downpipe

**BEASTmode632** · 12-06-2012 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by UEDan

Then use the force and read his sig

Funny dude. Hahaha

I know it will need a tune thats why i said i was getting te AP first. So what would be better for me to get after. If theres no power increase then what would be the point in ever moding the car? Im going to do as much as i can to the car im just simply seeing what people suggest i get first.

**BEASTmode632** · 12-06-2012 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mf645

neither. Start with the Cobb and a downpipe

I was reading that theres almost no point in going with a catted downpipe because theres still a chance of failing emisions testing. So i would go catless. Does the downpipe replace the midpipe also? I did find a few shorty product and what i was getting from it was it only replaced thefirst cat from the turbo and the full downpipe replaced both cats. Correct?

**zax** · 12-06-2012 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by UEDan

Then use the force and read his sig

On tapatalk; no sigs visible

Catted down pipe will reduce the tendency for boost creep, which is not easily dialed out with the VF52 (no WGA adjustment)

**BEASTmode632** · 12-06-2012 09:13 PM

What exactly is boost creep?

**Drews** · 12-06-2012 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by BEASTmode632

What exactly is boost creep?

Bad.

**mgmoehn** · 12-07-2012 10:45 AM

So... Here is some short knowledge that I have learned ... being new to tuning subies as well:

You already have a Cobb AP.. good start

Intake: Makes you intake sound cool, can hear the turbo more... there ARE more gains from having a stage 1 or 2 with an intake as opposed to not having one.

Short Ram - Works with FMIC setup if you are planning on upgrading your turbo and going that route
CAI - Sits in fender well - no proof that it gets submerged in water driving in rain... and comes with a heat shield - I would recommend AEM

Exhaust - Going DP and Stage 2 will net you the most gains right out of the gate. You need a DP to go stage 2 and cannot do it on intake alone. I would suspect that you will see more gains from having an intake included in your Stage 2 tune.

If you want to JUST upgrade your catback - then there will be no power gain unless you tune for stage 1 completely stock.

Hopefully that answers your question.... now post a pic of your ride

**crash55** · 12-07-2012 10:52 AM

It's also worth noting the COBB AP maps only support catted DPs. So if you are running OTS maps that's the way to go to ensure it's supported.

**BEASTmode632** · 12-08-2012 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by mgmoehn

So... Here is some short knowledge that I have learned ... being new to tuning subies as well:

You already have a Cobb AP.. good start

Intake: Makes you intake sound cool, can hear the turbo more... there ARE more gains from having a stage 1 or 2 with an intake as opposed to not having one.

Short Ram - Works with FMIC setup if you are planning on upgrading your turbo and going that route
CAI - Sits in fender well - no proof that it gets submerged in water driving in rain... and comes with a heat shield - I would recommend AEM

Exhaust - Going DP and Stage 2 will net you the most gains right out of the gate. You need a DP to go stage 2 and cannot do it on intake alone. I would suspect that you will see more gains from having an intake included in your Stage 2 tune.

If you want to JUST upgrade your catback - then there will be no power gain unless you tune for stage 1 completely stock.

Hopefully that answers your question.... now post a pic of your ride

thanks man. that helps alot. i do plan on going bigger turbo eventually so your saying it would be pointless to go with cold air?

i will be posting some pictures some time this week

**BEASTmode632** · 12-08-2012 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by crash55

It's also worth noting the COBB AP maps only support catted DPs. So if you are running OTS maps that's the way to go to ensure it's supported.

thats a bummer because ive heard that its still hard to pass inspections even with the highflow cats. i would rather go catless. and its cheaper. do you think it would really make that big of a difference or would be bad for the car even if i had a catless dp and used one of the OTS maps?

**Calvinball** · 12-08-2012 12:23 PM

How does your state test emissions?

**EJ257** · 12-08-2012 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by BEASTmode632

thats a bummer because ive heard that its still hard to pass inspections even with the highflow cats.

The difficulty of inspection lies solely on what emission testing your state/municipality does.

Originally Posted by BEASTmode632

i would rather go catless. and its cheaper. do you think it would really make that big of a difference or would be bad for the car even if i had a catless dp and used one of the OTS maps?

Cobb maps don't support catless downpipes; you need to read the map notes more carefully, in the future.