Thanks for all the input. I think I'm going to go with the XEDE for sure. I would like to get a different exhaust besides Vishnu/magnaflow. Although, I've heard sound clips and it sounds nice. I really need parts that are reliable and a shop/tuner that is going to work with me and help me along the way. I've been to some shops that sell you parts and don't care what you do with them. I've heard great things about Shiv. Any comments about WORKS? One more thing, I'm about to order the EVO IX turbo.

 

FWIW, I've personally witnessed Shiv reflash an EVO IX whose only upgrade was a TBE, and saw an impressive 295whp on a Dyno Dynamics, which works out to ~340whp on a Dynojet. Whatever timing values he used, it was as much as the engine would take cleanly, and I can attest to that.

In short, what parts one buys and from whom is a matter of preference. I've purchased parts from several vendors that frequent this forum, including BOTH Vishnu and Buschur.

As for who does the tuning, there are at least several equally viable options. Who one chooses is surely a matter influenced by several factors, not the least of which are geographical location and accessibility.

 

NJ, would you please for the love of GOD stop spreading that crap? There is nothing wrong with having a DP that doesn't use the donut gasket or springs bolts, and the slip fit DOES NOT LEAK. Why do you say that? There are thousands of people with slip-fit BR TBEs. A few may leak, but hell, a few of ANY exhaust can leak depending on anomalies and installation.

My Megan TBE did not leak. My BR TBE does not leak. Both used different premises for how they work, but both worked well. My BR TBE is a full 10.0 lbs lighter and sounds meaner. There's no reason not to get it.

OP, are you sure you want a Xede? You can go a long, LONG way with a flash and spend less than half as much. It's unlikely that you will get anything out of the Xede that you won't get 3 times over with a flash, especially with EcuFlash being available.

 

Last I checked, you can't do on-the-fly mapswitching with the ecu flash. Nor can you run any sort of adaptive fueling or timing strategies. Nor can you do real-time tuning. Or control methanol with a dedicated analog output. Or have 1/10 degree tuning resolution. Or have user configurable conditional logic functions (leanrun protection, smart launch control/nls, boost disabling etc,.) Reflashes are great and we certainly do a lot of them. But Xedes, although more expensive, are in a different class as far as functionality and flexibility goes. Customers should pick their engine management system based up their current and expected future needs.

As for exhaust components, check out and listen to as many systems as you can. Most customers will be more sensitive to the sound level and construction quality (especially if they hope to keep the exhaust for a long time) than a relatively small price differential. If price truly is the only consideration, one can get a full 3" turbo-back exhaust made by a competent muffler shop for $300-400.

-shiv

 

I spent 1200 bucks on the Butcher racing Deluxe FMIC and NOTHING fit ..........2 out of the 3 mounting brackets on the IC didnt line up with the holes on the car and the flange around the BOV started to rust inside of 3 weeks .



FYI I had the Vishnu reflash on my Stg 4 wrx and it ran like a champ .

 

I disagree with you. There is a reason why Mitsu used a donut and sprung bolts. They know what they are doing better than Megan or BR when it comes to parts construction. It is a very good idea to re-use the stock donut and sprung bolts. Without them, it is very possible for leaks to occur under engine movement becuase the mount are so soft.

There is a far bigger chance of a slip fit exhaust leaking than one with thick falanges and beffy bolts and nuts.

Sorry, but I do not buy the silicon snake oil that you are selling. You, my friend, have sold your objective soul.

 

Very wise decision on the Xede. You will not regret it. A non-smart Xede is very easy to learn. I got mine in March of 06 and got a custom tune on 91 pisstane gas. It did not take me long to learn how to use it. Now I am modifying maps on my own. It is really easy.

There is really no mystery for picking a TBE. Here are some guidelines that I go by:

1. Do not get a slip fit exhaust. Get one that uses falanges, gaskets, and bolts and nuts.
2. Get a downpipe that is 3 inch all the way. Stay away from ones like neck down at the cat. I got one of those and had to fix it.
3. Get a downpipe that uses the stock donut gasket and the stock sprung bolts. Mitsu knows better about what works than shops that do not use them.
4. If you want a quiet exhaust, you will more than likely need to get an exhaust with a resonator in the mid pipe.

Aside from these guidelines, it is up to you and how much you want to pay.

Works makes great quality parts, but they are way expensive. I saw their dp at Mod06 and it was a piece to behold. Very nice, but I will not pay that much for a DP.

 

Whoa there Trigger... do a bit of research in the l-o-n-g history of the use of a flex section in downpipes. While I agree in that either an OEish donut gasket/spring bolt assembly, or a flex section should be used, don't bash manufacturers (one you just named) who do use one or the other.

 

I was using the names as examples. Sorry, did not mean to bash. The flex pipe does have a long history, but I prefer to go with what Mitsu designed than with an after market design.

 

I guess your "that guy" because everyone else's fit like a glove that I know. Ive had the BR Deluxe FMIC/UICP for over a year/35k miles and its like brand new still. Fitment was perfect.

 

I have no experience with Vishnu, but Buschur has been awesome every time I have bought anything or asked any questions. And he has been working on these cars and motors FOREVER!

 

my car is happy with its buschur parts!

 

Yeah, NJ, we should just all do what Mitsu did and not upgrade anything. Great advice! You keep saying not to get a slip-fit, but you have no idea what you're talking about. Buschur exhausts have been around far longer than you've even had your Evo on cars making TONS and TONS of power. They don't all drive around with exhaust leaks. You need to get off your I-Make-300-WHP-So-I'm-The-Expert-At-Everything-Evo junk and get a clue.

I used the Megan and had one small leak at the test pipe, but I attribute that to my installation. It was small and only partiall blackened the gasket. The exhaust worked very well, made a lot of power, allowed me to go very fast, and gave me no problems ever. I now have the BR TBE, and it does all the same while weighing 10 less lbs and sounding better (purely subjective). Your crusade to keep people from using a slip-fit exhaust and/or an exhaust that doesn't use the donut gasket and spring bolts is ridiculous.

Shiv, those are great features and all, but for the ridiculous price difference over a flash, they are not nearly worth it. Especially the OP who hasn't mentioned any need of any of those features. Trying to keep it in context here...

 

hey i have the BR stage 1 no leaks awesome fit and high quality parts. The exhaust with the magnaflow muffler and high flow cat sounds perfect not that loud at all. For the price nothing beats the performance and quality. I quarantee you wont be dissappointed.

 

I have never claimed to be an expert in everything. I have read about some people who had slip fit exhausts leak to know that it is not advisable to use them. Even BR makes better V clamps than the slip fit. I wonder why they would make them if the slip fit is so perfect. If there is a 30% chance of it leaking, then I do not want it on my car. Nor am I going to advise people to use it when there are far less leaky prone exhausts options in the market. And this is about ALL slip fit exhausts, not only BR.

Once again, I am not an expert and I admit when I have been wrong. Just ask Ludi and Razorlab. I am simply relating to the OP what I have read on these boards about slip fit exhausts.
You are such a SALESMAN. And you custom tailor your opinions to what sponsor you have. When you had the Megan, you used to lambast anyone who paid a lot of money for an exhaust. Now that you have a BR (your latest sponsor) you go around selling people on the BR stages. You are so transparent. What happened to the truth squad? You used to be far more objective than you are now. Now, you are simply a pusher of Dynoflash and BR products. For example, everytime someone posts about an SAFC II, you tell them to sell it and get a flash. And you have become more aggressive of late. Perhaps you need to drum up more sales to pay for a new tranny after your was broken on the track.