Here we go. I dont have a lot of pics of the Xpipe and UP as it was getting late and I was just trying to get it done.
Tools used:
Die Grinder
1 carbide grinding tip
1 slightly worn flapper wheel
about 4 hours worth of grinding/sanding
Having a father as an engineer is a big help when you need special tools
Time and patients
2 Diet Cherry Pepsis
2 Bottles of water
1 large home made sub
Multiple peanut butter Oreos
Parts:
Grimmspeed coated cross pipe
Grimmspeed coated up pipe
OEM Subaru Gaskets, Part numbers:
UP to Turbo 44022AA150
Turbo to DP 44022AA180
Headers to UP 44022AA170
(2) Headers to Xpipe 44022AA160
(2) Block to Headers 14038AA000
(6) 3/8" Grade 8 Nuts and bolts
Never seez
I didnt go for a mirror finish. I just opened up the ports a bit and then smoothed them out. Still, there was quite a bit of material that I took off. Also, this is my first time porting anything, so the first couple I took my time with, then I learned I could get pretty aggressive with the grinder and the last 3 went pretty fast. Really it was just a matter of gasket matching the flanges and then tapering it into the pipes as far as I could get down. I suppose if I had a better flapper wheel, things would have smoothed out a bit more.
The process, My first one - the learning experience
Collector
This one I didnt gasket match as it was not matched on the Grimmspeed UP
Grimmspeed UP for comparison
Now I was starting to get tired after getting the DP/UP and headers off, putting it back together. I also had some wrap left from the old headers, so I figured I would wrap the Xpipe and UP.
My review so far. Sound: The car is definitely louder than it was with the Maddad headers. The full boxer rumble is back as well. It will take some time to get used to the sound again, but I think I honestly like the stock sound over the full header. At about half throttle I am getting a fluttering sound that seems like it is coming from the left side of the car if you are in the drivers seat. I read some threads that say this is normal from the Xpipe. Some members had the same sounds when using the TIC Xpipe. Also at WOT, the car just growels. I am sure you guys with the stock set up are used to this, but it is much deeper than it was with the headers.
Power: It is definitely back. 1st gear just rips and I am through 2nd gear in no time. The spool is incredible. But, you have to remember I was driving around with a leak for 2 months. The first month I didnt even know about it. Also, if I have to compare the UEL headers and this set up, I would say they are just about on par with one another. I know the AP isnt 100% accurate with measuring WHP, but I am with in 5hp/5ftlbs of the numbers with the headers. I ran this set up for 3 different pulls and were quite steady around 305-310whp and around 370ftlbs IIRC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fourseasonsandles  PnP was a success, Install was a success.. the POWER is back! I am exhausted and filthy and will update with pics and more info tomorrow. I just ran the car hard for about an hour and my boost never dropped.
Tomorrow I am going to check for leaks again and log it, but it is holding 19-19.5 on the boost gauge and is holding steady at 18 on the AP (meaning it is boosting higher than 18). I havent smiled like this for a while after getting out of my car. I am a believer in the PnP + Xpipe + UP combo. |
To Do: I still have to get under the car today and check for leaks again. I didnt find any last night with the help of my dad blocking the exhaust, but in my experience thus far with these leaks, it is best to also check after you run the car for a while to see if the heat shifted anything.
Let me know if anyone has any questions as I am sure there are people out there were as nervous as I was to do this the first time with no experience. I can say it really isnt that hard and if you spend the money on the Xpipe and UP you will not be disappointed.