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Old 02-24-2004, 12:47 PM   #1
WRXIN
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Member#: 15405
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: OC, CA
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2004 STI
Silver/Gold - Team Blew

Default Thinking about an APS catback for your STI? Read this first.

I just purchased a 3" APS catback system for my 2004 STI. I bought it from a local dealer that has a pretty good reputation so I don't blame them for this. They also assure me they have installed this system on other STIs, but there was no way it was going to properly fit on mine.

Here's the deal:

According to APS, the 3" catback system is not certified for the 2004 STI. I had trouble getting mine to fit properly. It appeared to install very easily but I was getting occasional rubbing between the driveshaft and the resonator. There was roughly 1/2" of static clearance between the driveshaft (at the center bearing) and the resonator, which appeared to be enough, but apparently the driveshaft actually moves around in its rubber mount more than that. (Next time you are under your STI, check out how much the driveshaft actually moves around in the rubber mount at the center bearing.)

The only way to get a little more clearance was to slightly dimple the top of the resonator with a rubber mallet. It doesnt rub anymore.

I contacted APS in Australia regarding this and got the following response:

Quote:
Mark,

We actually only sold cat-backs for about three months in the middle of last year - they were never released for 04 US Spec. STi. We are very sorry for the inconvenience you have obviously suffered. At this stage we can only suggest that you acquire the matching engine pipe assembly, which will rectify your problem.

Best regards,
So, that answers the question. Now I'm sort of upset about being sold a system that wasnt certified for my car. But, on the other hand, the small dimple is not that big a deal and man it sounds good. Also, I don't want the rest of the TBE system, it will push me out of stock Auto-x class.

Just some info for you as you make buying decisions.

-Mark
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Old 02-24-2004, 01:00 PM   #2
DISCOPOPE
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Default

simply searching would have given you the solution....

if i recall correctly, the current sti version may need to rotate the mounting flange to clear correctly.

Quote:
I used the 3.0" with cat. It's a full 3.0" all the wat back.

Initially I had the same interfirence with the cat hitting the tranny. After much head scratching I rotated the cat one hole one the 3 hole collector (33 degrees). Presto it fit perfect with no contact. I don't think it matters which way you rotate it. Either way will net the same results.
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Old 02-24-2004, 02:05 PM   #3
WRXIN
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Thanks Discoscope for that tid-bit. But, if you read that post you refer to a little more closely, you'll see he's talking about a full TBE APS system. I'm referring to their cat-back system. I'd like to see you rotate the stock cat on an STI.

-Mark
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Old 02-24-2004, 03:22 PM   #4
zacek
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Location: Chatsworth, CA.
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04 WRX STi
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Default

That's ODD. I own a APS TB that I bougth for my 2002 WRX and xferred over to my STi. Fits right in. A little fitting issue in the mid-section but double gskets fixed that. No problems, nor rubbing issues.

Recently the Catalytic shield started to de-soldered and is making some nast vibrations. I took it to a muffler shop to resolder. After 1 month it started again. I guess the exhaust system is under heavy vibrations stresses or maybe the welder did a crappy job.
It happens at 3500 rpms.
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Old 02-24-2004, 04:45 PM   #5
WRXIN
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APS told me their TB system is fine on the STI. Its their cat back system that doesnt fit properly.
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Old 02-24-2004, 04:56 PM   #6
DISCOPOPE
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the flange on the catback should spin 360 deg....
unless there was a version change.....
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Old 02-24-2004, 05:02 PM   #7
WRXIN
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I'm not sure exactly what you mean, Discoscope. The flanges on both the stock cat and the APS pipe are welded in a fixed position. Its not possible to rotate the whole midpipe, the bend would be in the wrong direction and the hanger as well. The STI cat is held in place very securely by a fixed hanger off the side of the transmission. If that hanger was a bit longer, the cat would hang lower, and that might give the necessary clearance. But I didnt want to mess with that. I thought it might put undue stress on the cat/downpipe.
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Old 02-24-2004, 05:09 PM   #8
DISCOPOPE
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URgt35r w/t3hM3finj3cki0n

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no, i understand that the factory cat wont move,
but i would be amazed if the aps mid pipe not have a rotating flange....
that would be contrary to how every other cat back i have see is manufactured...

edit oh i see what you mean.. about the midpipe twisting, but, iirc the midpipe has only one hanger, you should be able to rotate the section enough to clear the diff... only 1 deg. of spin at the cat will give you 1/4 inch more play...

Last edited by DISCOPOPE; 02-24-2004 at 05:16 PM.
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Old 02-24-2004, 05:22 PM   #9
WRXIN
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I wish I had a picture of this... the APS cat back doesnt have a flange that spins. Its fixed. And the instructions that came with it indicate the same thing. The holes in the flange that connects to the cat are the same round holes that match up with the factory cat. And there are only two holes on the flanges, so I'd be rotating the whole thing 180 degrees, so the mid pipe wouldnt fit at all.
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Old 02-24-2004, 05:35 PM   #10
DISCOPOPE
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URgt35r w/t3hM3finj3cki0n

Default

ok, my bad.
i see the problem then..
i made an assumption about the flange.

heh easy solution then would be to hit the resonator with a hammer, and call it an evening..
Quote:
The only way to get a little more clearance was to slightly dimple the top of the resonator with a rubber mallet. It doesnt rub anymore.
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Old 02-24-2004, 05:48 PM   #11
WRXIN
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2004 STI
Silver/Gold - Team Blew

Default

Yep, that dimple worked. It was already partly dimpled from the driveshaft, so I had a good target to aim for.

I just started this post to let people know what I had experienced.

I'm still emailing with APS. As I mentioned earlier, they told me the catback wasnt certified for the STi but then I remembered that the instructions specifically included the 2004 STi in their list of applicable vehicles. I'll be curious to see what they say.

-Mark
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Old 02-24-2004, 10:36 PM   #12
wrrrx
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Location: Mukilteo, WA
Vehicle:
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WR Blue

Default

I'm sorry to hear about this. I've got the full APS tbe and love it!
The solution is simple, you know- Get the hell out of AS and into the new AutoX class, STU!!!!
Then, of course, get the missing pieces for your turbo-back...

Just a thought,
Russ R
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