Got our first '09 WRX 5-dr in this week. SPT exhaust +hp confusion.

[antitarmac]

No-one at Subaru can tell me if the SPT exhaust we're putting on the new 265hp WRX gets it up to 275hp. It's an upgrade, but I wonder what the new rating is with the high flow cats and new turbo. They rated it at a 10hp increase on the '08. I would think we would have at least that on the new one. Help is much appreciated.

[wolfman79]

I would think that with the revised exhaust on the 09's vs the 08's that it might have less benefit. Those extra ~40 horses came from somewhere and why would Subaru start anywhere different than the same thing we all do anyway. Change out the exhaust.

[antitarmac]

The SPT exhaust is pretty expensive if it doesn't show decent increase in power. Time to email the Suby engineers. Last time, it was concern about the safety of the RE92s when the WRXer's driving habits were taken into account. They actually gave feedback and got me to the Bridgestone engineers for more input. Nice to see they're listening. Would never happen with GM, Ford or Toyota. I just don't want to bug them too much.

[sebhockey]

No clue on what the spt exhaust does for the 09, but the power mainly comes from the different block and turbo. I would imagine the cat back gives small gains like any other catback.

[ramenbuoy]

Since the car I test drove was the SPT version (it had an exhaust and not sure what else) I think minimal gains would be expected. I have nothin to compare it to, and since I don't own the car I couldn't dyno it, but it definitely brought out the boxer-rumble sound that we all love. It would also help increase flow, I think. It's definitely beefier than the stock exhaust, but as of now I don't know if its turbo-back, resonator back, or maybe just cat-back (I doubt its cat-back but...)

[antitarmac]

Got an official response from Subaru today. Will post tomorrow after I forward it back home. Can you believe DI is blocked at a Subaru dealership.:pissed: Makes me wonder sometimes. I also caught a particular schmuck of a salesman going for a 20 mile "test drive" with a customer. Car smelled pretty hot when it pulled back into the shop. He's the reason why I blocked it in with a bunch of other cars in the first place.:unamused:

[ramenbuoy]

damn. was the customer hawt? if not ewwwww

[antitarmac]

The official Subaru response on exhaust and intake info....

["Thank you for taking the time to contact Subaru of America. We do not
state an increase in power and torque for just the SPT exhaust. We only
state an increase in power and torque when the three components of the
"Power Pack" are installed on a vehicle. For example, when the Power
Pack, which includes the SPT exhaust, SPT high flow air intake, and SPT
Heat Shield, is installed on a 2002 - 2007 WRX models, there is up to 30
hp and 20 lb/ft of torque as measured at the wheel.

Per our Accessories Department, the SPT air intake has been cancelled
for the 2008 WRX models, as Subaru was unable to find a blend of
emissions, performance, and reliability that met our standards.

The only information that we provide for the SPT exhaust for the 2008
and 2009 WRX models is: Full stainless steel construction with smooth
mandrel bends for low restriction and that famous boxer engine sound.
Incorporate optimized tubing diameters and polished exhaust tips that
are etched with the SPT logo.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any
future assistance, please let us know.

Best wishes, "]


In other words, "Sorry people, emissions killed your intakes. Blame the Left-Wingers and the EPA and find your own intake. Somebody out there will have to dyno a car to get the figures."

[antitarmac]

damn. was the customer hawt? if not ewwwww
No, middle-aged guy in a Rodeo. At least we've got a car to use for test drives now. We've got a couple others due in the next couple weeks, too.

Interesting, though, that the entire great lakes region has withheld ordering the 2009 STIs due to remaining stock of 2008s. Everyone ordered the cars loaded up with all the bling and still can't realize customers want stripped down cars they can DRIVE.

The managers of the dealerships don't have any idea what a sports car is for. They are too stuck in their econo-box awd grocery getting coffins to realize driving should be enjoyable.:shootsself::shootsself:

[04caliwrx]

i got a carb for my spt intake

[ramenbuoy]

i got a carb in my **** =/

umm so the 09 SPT edition does absolutely nothing for the extra 3k?

[tsidreams]

i was thinking about wearing my helmet, just in case something happened to my 08 while i was driving. then i would be forced to get an 09 wrx. ;)

[method]

The SPT exhaust is pretty expensive if it doesn't show decent increase in power. Time to email the Suby engineers. Last time, it was concern about the safety of the RE92s when the WRXer's driving habits were taken into account. They actually gave feedback and got me to the Bridgestone engineers for more input. Nice to see they're listening. Would never happen with GM, Ford or Toyota. I just don't want to bug them too much.

SPT Exhaust can still be purchased for $295-$333 depending on the location. That isn't all that expensive for a SS catback.

[antitarmac]

Nearly $900 for the factory installed option, now. Got sound bites on video of stock and spt, but have never posted video. Maybe time to start a youtube acct.

just in case something happened to my 08 while i was driving

I've got a customer I'm 99.9% sure wrecked her last 2 cars just to get out of the payments and get a newer model. First was a black '07 STI. Rolled it down the road and stopped after hitting an embankment with the trunk, upside down!! She collected the ins. money and bought a new Legacy 3.0R. First time she wrecked that one, she just took out a front fender, facia, front left suspension and 2 wheels. She finally did it in by wrapping it around a tree in her front yard. Nearly killed her in the process, but now she's running a new RX8. Thankfully, she's no longer my problem.

[sebhockey]

I've got a customer I'm 99.9% sure wrecked her last 2 cars just to get out of the payments and get a newer model. First was a black '07 STI. Rolled it down the road and stopped after hitting an embankment with the trunk, upside down!! She collected the ins. money and bought a new Legacy 3.0R. First time she wrecked that one, she just took out a front fender, facia, front left suspension and 2 wheels. She finally did it in by wrapping it around a tree in her front yard. Nearly killed her in the process, but now she's running a new RX8. Thankfully, she's no longer my problem.

Hasn't her insurance gone up enough to make it more affordable to just trade it in?

[antitarmac]

Apparently, she still has ins. because it's required to finance a car in WI. In the sales end of this business, I've found out that logic doesn't always rule when a customer wants something they can't have.

[gmitch138]

if anyone has upgraded their exhaust on an 08 wrx, is it possible i could get the stock one? also, would the 09 fit on my 08 2.5i? sorry to threadjack

[V1Racing]

I just put the SPT Exhaust on my 2009 WRX. There is an increase in power, and there is a much better sound as well, although I think it will be too quiet for some. It sounds louder than, say, a G37/370Z contrived exhaust note... and it is a 3" cat-back system. Throttle response is GREATLY improved as it torque. It goes from 4-6,500K very fast, although it feel flatter at 3-4k...

I negotiated mine into the deal, so that was good and I think the fact it's SPT is worth it. I can understand where Subaru does not want to make a claim on HP but it definitely adds a few. It is very stealth as well because there is no "TUNER" exhaust hanging out... but if I were 10 years younger, I might get something else first...

[Tedpro]

My brother just bought an 09 WRX with SPT exhaust. (it was the lowest priced one)

We test drove all model 09 WRX's with and without SPT exhaust - we didn't notice a different(except sound).
I would suggest saving the 1-2k extra you pay for this sound feature , and invest into Cobb access port/stage2 tune.
So instead of guessing if your going to get power or not: http://www.cobbtuning.com/products/?id=3750

[wrxnews]

I love this issue...Do I get an aftermarket exhaust? It costs XXX and claims to give me XXhp and tq.

Free up the restrictive stock exhaust and you will defintely see some gain.

I for one will be spending my money on the Tsudo tbe because for one it's cheap...and two, it's a piece of pipe. I don't care if it's dipped in chromoly or titanium tipped. I need an exhaust that is a cheap replacement to stock and if I do rip it off having fun I wont cry myself to sleep because I dropped a grand on a name brand kit.

Sorry for the rant

/rant over

[Guero]

I bet her insurance is cheaper than mine.. I think the SPT exhaust is a joke, If you want more power, you have to go with a TBE. Too bad a decent one is pricey, plus you need a tune. :/

About the test drive. I was worried about that with my car! It had 200 miles on it when I got it, but thats because it was delivered. Someone had ran their fingers across the TMIC too.

[etothen]

A catback of any kind has no real power gains on this car, the down pipe is the largest exhaust improvement you can make, you can then add a catback and see gains, but no new DP mean no new ponies, or a couple of lonely stallions anyway. 90% of across power band gains come from an AP and an OC map like perrins.
A tune will get you even closer to a stage two cobb/perrin map with supporting mods, think I am going to skip the exhaust for now and just pick up an AP and a tune, wait till the warrantee is up before I start replacing the more expensive/HP gain bits and then go with an 18 or 20g, fimic, injectors, fuel pump and other supporting mods, but that is a ways off for now.