I have found myself preparing for the next stage in my mods, which is exhaust. and in my never ending quest to learn more about my car, and how it all works, I keep hearing two names: Turboback, and catback. I have an 04 WRX and I am starting to shop around. Can someone tell me the difference between the two, and what some of the pros and cons are of each option? Thanks!
turboback means pretty much what it says, you will have a aftermarket downpipe witch will connect to your aftermarket catback making it a full aftermarket exhaust (besides uppipe). If you were to get a catback system, it would bolt right up to your factory downpipe. a pro about a turbo back is most downpipes are catless so less restrictions...
Close, but wrong. The "Cat-back" refers to the pipe from the Catylitic converter to the back of the car. The "Cat" remains intact. It can be replaced by a "midpipe" to remove the cat from the exhaust. The downpipe can either connect from the turbo to the 3rd cat, sometimes called a "shorty" downpipe. Or it can eliminate the 3rd cat altogether and meet the catback. Some 'cat-backs' might eliminate the 3rd cat, but I haven't seen any. Doesn't mean they don't exist. But typically, an aftermarket mass manufactured pipe isn't going to remove any catylitic converters because it's against federal law to do so. They will sell more units if their pipe bolts up to the back of the 3rd cat. Short downpipes exist for the same reason, to leave the ECU monitored 3rd cat intact for emissions.
go turbo back then spend 100 extra for a tune is with bullwinkle and that will add tons of WHP! (also mpg). cat-back doesnt open up much just makes it louder, if thats all your going for then go for that, but if you got a wrx i assume you like boost which is added horses! lol. And I'm no expert but for my 08 wrx i spent 360 for a tsudo turbo back exhaust, but most exhausts that are 3 inch turbo back youll get the bulb of the same added horse power as a $1200 one but man if I had the money for one that expensive perrin ones sound soooo sick! haha but up to you.
I agree with the previous post. I have an '07 WRX and I added JUST the Invidia N1 cat back. My next step is the down pipe and access port to get those extra horsies. Mught as well do it from the get go. The down pipe is what restrict your car, a cat back wont improve anything but the sound.
