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Old 09-26-2007, 01:30 PM   #1
JonM in MN
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Default Holy B@lls! I'm Stage 2!! And questions...

4/00 --- read my first article about the WRX. `It'll do ---what?!?!?!'
2/03 --- researched modding a WRX and decided `this is something I'll do someday'
5/03 --- took delivery of my new 04 WRX.
12/06--- after lurking for months, joined NASIOC.
1/07 ----bought an Accessport in the classifieds and flashed to Stage 1 --- @ 80K miles. A nice bump ---decided to do Stage 2 `soon'.
9/25/07 -- Finally got to Stage 2.


Modern Auto Performance in Plymouth MN hooked me up with the Invidia V2 (catless) and bolted 'er up for me last night. Great guys, I recommend them. I drove home on my Stage 1 Cobb map and it felt a bit stronger.

I flashed to Stage 2 91 Octane later last night and took her for a spin --- that's a nice upgrade, very noticeble increase in power and faster spool.

The extra sound isn't bad. There's a whistle from the turbo at low RPMs and a bit more rat a tat under partial throttle. It takes some getting used to but I can handle it.

I'm a bit surprised by the smell though. I knew there'd be some, and maybe I'm just sensitive, but it is VERY noticeable whenever I stop.

Does this ever go away? Fade with time?

I'm currently running the stock catback. I know I'll free up a few extra HP with an upgrade --- anybody have a good estimate as to how many? I'm thinking my next mod will be sways --- that I'll feel that more than I would the catback --- I'm not looking to get louder or look meaner or anything like that.

Thanks for reading.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:37 PM   #2
97subi
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cool, yes stage 2 is great, alot better, and quicker. for the exhaust i have the Greddy evo 2, and i love it, its quiet and loud when your on it. i also had the spt exhaust, loved it to. well good luck with mods...
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:39 PM   #3
The Blue Pilot
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Yea...the smell goes away..



Once you get used to it...
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:39 PM   #4
nhat
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you'll notice a good bump in power with a 3" catback.

as for the smell, i smell it every day but not at every stop.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:39 PM   #5
oofrost
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If you get a catted downpipe the smell goes away.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:40 PM   #6
Jager_Addict
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Look at the busher exhaust. They have a quiet one and it shaves off a considerable amount of weight.

Last edited by Jager_Addict; 09-26-2007 at 03:33 PM.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:45 PM   #7
mbs627
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jager_Addict View Post
Youre supposed to have a catback to run the stage 2 map from what I know.

Nope. Just a downpipe.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:51 PM   #8
J. Steinbeck
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbs627 View Post
Nope. Just a downpipe.
That's an affirmative!

Different people have had different results, though. I have seen members on here who have put out very good numbers with the stock catback.

On the other hand, there are those of us (like myself) who have had a few small issues with attaining target boost.

If you run the stock catback and have this problem, at least you know where the possible cure might be found.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:52 PM   #9
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OP: Everyone's might be a little different by mine smelled WAY bad for a little over a week. Not just the lube chemicals either, fuel smell. It went away after a while. you will still smell it occassionally but it seems it was much worse the first week and a half.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:57 PM   #10
smurfwrx
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... oh.... and welcome to stage 2. Killer, eh? It won't be enough after while. I did mine in July and looking to do a lightened pulley, meth injection, larger fuel injectors, and walbro fuel pump + pro-tune very shortly. This is in addtion to getting front and rear whiteline sways, prodrive springs, KB endlinks, and stiffer diff bushings. Have fun and be safe. I don't know how familiar you are with MT but just remember, the more power you're putting down the harder you can be on your clutch if you're shifts aren't on point. Again, have fun!
Cobb Stage2 OTS 93oct
Invidia catless up
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Old 09-27-2007, 01:28 PM   #11
R6_rider
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbs627 View Post
Nope. Just a downpipe.
no thats false you also need an up pipe if it has a cat. on stage 2 A TURBO CAN SUCK OUT THE CAT AND EAT IT. you need an uppipe also if you dont have one. unless you want to buy a new turbo.
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Old 09-27-2007, 01:39 PM   #12
J. Steinbeck
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I wouldn't go so far as to say the info is false... you CAN do just a downpipe and enjoy the performance benefits of stage two. You are correct though, in that if you want to do right by your turbo, you should lose that cat. It won't so much "suck" out the cat as it will "burn" it out.

If the OP hasn't done the uppipe yet, I doubt it is an immediate danger. I would try to get it done in the not too distant future, though.

Last edited by J. Steinbeck; 09-28-2007 at 08:43 AM. Reason: typo...
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:42 PM   #13
J. Steinbeck
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Welcome to stage two!

Your story sounds very similar to mine, only I did not buy my WRX new. (It was low mileage, though, and I just now hit 70K).

I went stage two with just a downpipe a couple of months ago. Car ran really well, and felt good all around.

Eventually, though, I think you may want to get a catback. I had a couple of problems reaching target boost. (I was BARELY falling short of Cobb's parameters.) My car was hitting @ 15.5 psi in 4th and 5th, but last Saturday I installed a used Borla XR-1 3" system. Sounds mean (I thought I would dislike the extra noise... but so far I LOVE it), and three days on the car is now hitting 16 psi in 4th and 5th gears. Before installing the Borla I could have adjusted the wastegate, but I held off to see if my stock exhaust was the cause of the issue. Apparently it was.


The "smell" issue may not go away. Are you referring to a fuel smell from the exhaust, or the chemicals (WD-40, etc.) that might have been used when the exhaust was installed?

If you are running a catless uppipe, and you have a downpipe that replaced both of your cats after the turbo, you will smell the fuel smell for as long as you keep the system. Only way around it is to install a high flow cat, and even it will smell at start up.

All other smells will go away... The PB blaster or whatever else may have been used will cook away, and the strange odors associated new exhausts will fade away quickly as well.

Good luck and have fun!

Last edited by J. Steinbeck; 09-26-2007 at 01:54 PM.
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Old 09-26-2007, 01:53 PM   #14
GRUMPY514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JonM in MN View Post
4/00 --- read my first article about the WRX. `It'll do ---what?!?!?!'
2/03 --- researched modding a WRX and decided `this is something I'll do someday'
5/03 --- took delivery of my new 04 WRX.
12/06--- after lurking for months, joined NASIOC.
1/07 ----bought an Accessport in the classifieds and flashed to Stage 1 --- @ 80K miles. A nice bump ---decided to do Stage 2 `soon'.
9/25/07 -- Finally got to Stage 2.


Modern Auto Performance in Plymouth MN hooked me up with the Invidia V2 (catless) and bolted 'er up for me last night. Great guys, I recommend them. I drove home on my Stage 1 Cobb map and it felt a bit stronger.

I flashed to Stage 2 91 Octane later last night and took her for a spin --- that's a nice upgrade, very noticeble increase in power and faster spool.

The extra sound isn't bad. There's a whistle from the turbo at low RPMs and a bit more rat a tat under partial throttle. It takes some getting used to but I can handle it.

I'm a bit surprised by the smell though. I knew there'd be some, and maybe I'm just sensitive, but it is VERY noticeable whenever I stop.

Does this ever go away? Fade with time?

I'm currently running the stock catback. I know I'll free up a few extra HP with an upgrade --- anybody have a good estimate as to how many? I'm thinking my next mod will be sways --- that I'll feel that more than I would the catback --- I'm not looking to get louder or look meaner or anything like that.

Thanks for reading.


Smell doesnt really go away.

Smells like victory to me though

Every stop you smell it, try doing a cold start and then getting behind your car right when its high ideling lol.


Smell of victory I tell you. Cant wait till I get it tuned.


PS. Iam running stage 2 on my 07. Catless TBE. Emissions are going to be fun!
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Old 09-26-2007, 02:10 PM   #15
Badler
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GRUMPY514 View Post
Smell doesnt really go away. Nope, your sensitivity to it does though.

Smells like victory to me though And I thought I was the only one.

Every stop you smell it, try doing a cold start and then getting behind your car right when its high ideling lol. Ask my neighbors about this


Smell of victory I tell you. Cant wait till I get it tuned. Getting it tuned is like falling in love all over again.


PS. Iam running stage 2 on my 07. Catless TBE. Emissions are going to be fun! Hah, I fart in the general direction of emissions .
Welcome to Stage 2!
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Old 09-26-2007, 02:13 PM   #16
EJ2point0
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GRUMPY514
Smell doesnt really go away. Nope, your sensitivity to it does though.

Smells like victory to me though And I thought I was the only one.

Every stop you smell it, try doing a cold start and then getting behind your car right when its high ideling lol. Ask my neighbors about this


Smell of victory I tell you. Cant wait till I get it tuned. Getting it tuned is like falling in love all over again.


PS. Iam running stage 2 on my 07. Catless TBE. Emissions are going to be fun! Hah, I fart in the general direction of emissions .

HA-HA
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Old 09-26-2007, 02:24 PM   #17
jack klompus
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Wait till you get teh turbo swap bug.
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:28 PM   #18
WRXislander
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Originally Posted by fubarud View Post
Wait till you get teh turbo swap bug.
I've been stage 2 for only 2 weeks and I've already got it.
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:33 PM   #19
Brock31
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If you haven't gotten a catless Uppipe, do that soon!
(This has nothing to do with the smell issues)
The new sounds are just part of the catless DP freeing things up.
my $0.02
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Old 09-26-2007, 03:49 PM   #20
CynicX
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I'd go with a catless uppipe to get it out of the way.

And the smell doesnt go away....maybe an unnoticeable bit better after the tune but it will always be there....even with a catted downpipe I can smell it, no where near as bad tho....
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Old 09-26-2007, 05:37 PM   #21
rendog24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JonM in MN View Post

Modern Auto Performance in Plymouth MN hooked me up with the Invidia V2 (catless) and bolted 'er up for me last night. Great guys, I recommend them. I drove home on my Stage 1 Cobb map and it felt a bit stronger.

I flashed to Stage 2 91 Octane later last night and took her for a spin --- that's a nice upgrade, very noticeble increase in power and faster spool.

Thanks for reading.

IDK IF ANYBODY ELSE NOTICED THIS, BUT DONT EVER USE STAGE 1 WITH A DOWNPIPE.......as soon as you got the downpipe you should of flashed to stage 2 or flashed it to stock. just for future reference and for others DO NOT USE STAGE 1 EVEN WITH ONLY A DOWNPIPE...
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Old 09-26-2007, 06:33 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rendog24 View Post
IDK IF ANYBODY ELSE NOTICED THIS, BUT DONT EVER USE STAGE 1 WITH A DOWNPIPE.......as soon as you got the downpipe you should of flashed to stage 2 or flashed it to stock. just for future reference and for others DO NOT USE STAGE 1 EVEN WITH ONLY A DOWNPIPE...

You are REALLY overreacting. There is no reason other than not getting everything out of it you can power wise that you cant run stage 1. While its not optimum, you can definately run stage 1 with a downpipe. The difference will 99% be performance not safety.
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Old 09-27-2007, 01:54 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by Defiant Autospeed View Post

You are REALLY overreacting. There is no reason other than not getting everything out of it you can power wise that you cant run stage 1. While its not optimum, you can definately run stage 1 with a downpipe. The difference will 99% be performance not safety.
I'm not sure about the 2.0L engine.
But running "stage 1" with a larger aftermarket downpipe on the 2.5L engine will definitely result in over boosting.
Usually, a "stage 1" tune (like the Cobb "stage 1" tune) will try to keep the wastegate shut as long as possible in an attempt to reach target boost faster. Cobb is warning about this in their "stage 1" documentation. Please check it out.
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Old 09-26-2007, 06:32 PM   #24
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If you get tuned and they fix your a/f then the smell will largely go away. It stinks because you are running really rich. They make basemaps real rich for safety. Not that you cant lean it out some and still be safe.
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Old 09-26-2007, 08:20 PM   #25
AbACUZ
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I did notice that he is stage 2 without an Up pipe , you may want to look in to that before a catback .
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