CNT catted downpipe on a 2013 WRX Sedan

[cgravat]

Hi all, I've had this on for about a week with Eric's stage 2 tune. Car is running great, btw...

Just wanted to let everyone know that the O2 sensor ever so slightly rubs against the side of the cutout on the metal shield. There's a cutout (hole) in the shield for where the sensor sticks up, however the stock downpipe places the sensor pretty much directly in the center of the cutout, where the CNT catted DP has the sensor right on the edge of the cutout, making very slight contact. I was able to bend it a little bit, but I'm still getting some rub and have an annoying rattle on right turns sometimes from where the edge of the shield cutout is making contact with the O2 sensor. I'm going to get under there this weekend with some tin snips and correct the issue.

I contacted ERZ about this and they haven't done any testing on the 2013's so they can't comment on it. Anyone else know/experience what I'm describing?

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[masayver]

I had the same problem on my 2011 Wrx. I cut a piece out of the heat shield to prevent the o2 sensor from rattling against the shield.

[cgravat]

Originally Posted by masayver

I had the same problem on my 2011 Wrx. I cut a piece out of the heat shield to prevent the o2 sensor from rattling against the shield.

I find this interesting that ERZ has no clue about the issue and I can't find anything about it on the web. They told me that it was probably just a minor difference on the 2013... I guess that's debunked. Overall I'm happy with the DP and with ERZ's CS, however this is quite annoying to have to cut on the shield on a practically brand new car.

[masayver]

I think I had mentioned it to them in an e-mail, but was more concerned with the order of all the gaskets and adapters between the DP and the mid pipe. I sent pics and they responded fairly quickly saying I had installed everything correctly. I guess that's the quality you get for a much cheaper price than the similar-looking Cobb DP. Yes, it was a pain to have to go back and trim the shield, but worth the price savings, to me.

[swpshgnwgn]

I just installed the CNT downpipe and haven't had any issues thus far. The O2 sensor was a bitch to get back in though

[cgravat]

Originally Posted by swpshgnwgn

I just installed the CNT downpipe and haven't had any issues thus far. The O2 sensor was a bitch to get back in though

Do you recall what sort of side to side clearance you had with your O2 Sensor and edge of the cutout on the shield?

[swpshgnwgn]

Originally Posted by cgravat

Do you recall what sort of side to side clearance you had with your O2 Sensor and edge of the cutout on the shield?

I bent the heat shield down when I installed it. Without it bent down, not a whole lot. With it bent down, iirc maybe an inch or so? I'd have to check to be sure.