I ordered the BR TBE about a week ago but I'm doing the test pipe and bullet muffler, I'm hoping it's not too obnoxious. I'll post some vids of it on my hosting site when it comes in so people can make a more educated decision.

 

Exhaust type: TBE with test pipe and magnaflow.

Performance: I can definitely feel the car pull harder on the butt dyno. It also seems more linear but it could just be the sound of the exhaust making it seem as it is slightly faster. I have no other mods.

Sound: Quiet but noticeable, you can tell the car has an aftermarket exhaust. Once you push the throttle to about 60-80, it gets fairly loud but not obnoxious. It sounds aggressive but my old WRX sounded better in my opinion. While crusing at 50mph in 5th, the car is quiet and barely louder than stock.

Looks: The muffler hangs down quite a bit, but I like the fact that it's tucked in. I really didn't want the grapefruit shooting style muffler.

Shipping details: Ordered on Feb.19, arrived on Feb.26.

Install: On the ground with jack stands and ramps, pain in the ***. I had quite a few washers and bolts left over from the bag of supplies that was included. It seemed that some bolts were standard size and others were metric, has anyone else experienced this? I have a slight leak at the downpipe to test pipe section. The instructions make reference that no gaskets are provided and that no appreciable leaks like occur. Well, I can hear the leak and will have to unbolt this section and re-install to see if I can get them to mate better, or I may get a gasket. The O2 sensor is about a finger away from the driveshaft and the top of the undercarriage, a little too close for comfort. Moreover, I had a leak at the muffler to rear section and it took a while to get the clamp just right so that it would not leak. The rear section was a little oval shaped when it arrived and this may be the problem.

Weight: A lot less than stock, about 20-25 lbs.

 

This is one thing that Im worried about, maybe Dave or Jrod could chime in. Why is it alot of the exhausts comming in the mail are arriving oval shaped by the muffler? I definitely want the Buschur TBE but I just want to make sure it arrives at my house undamaged. Perhaps better packaging can be done? Or can better packaging be available at alittle higher cost? Sounds great! I cant wait to order my Buschur TBE exhaust with the Test Pipe/Bullet combo!

 

Subaruwrx420: I would recommend a flash to compliment your new exhaust. It will also be a noticeable gain.

You should not have had any hardware left over after the install.

Did you use hand tools to tighten the clamps on the slip-fit joints? If so that is the problem. They need to be tightened with an impact for the most secure fit. It it honestly the best way to tighten them.

Some of the hardware is metric and some is standard.

You should not have any leaks on the exhaust system. The flanges butt up tight to one another.

The 02 sensor placement has not shown to be a problem so I would say it would be worry free for you.



As for the "oval" problem..... We have recently noticed the tubing being not truly round and are going try to correct this problem before the exhausts leave here. It is not due to shipping. That end of the piping gets nothing else done to it once we recieve it after it leaves the bender. It has to be something they are doing at the bender at the end of the bending process that is making it become not truly round. Wether its pulling it out of the machine or what. I do not know exactly. We are going to be examining all of the tubes before they leave here now to try to eliminate anything extra you guys would have to do when you recieve the item to ensure proper fitment. For those this has happened to I do apologize.

 

Most definitely, I will be working on my own tune come this weekend. I have a wideband, Perrin EBCS, Walbro 255lh, and boost gauge to install this weekend

I'll have to take a pic of the hardware left over. I had almost finger sized washers, 5 of them left over. Also a few thin large washers as well as some long bolts. I used the new hardware to install the downpipe to the O2 housing, the downpipe to the test pipe, the long bolts for the hangers along with some washers. I used a few of the other washers to lower the braces and have just a bit of clearance.

I did use hand tools to secure and loosen everything.

I'll have to recheck the downpipe to test pipe connection; I think it will be easier now that the rest of the system is supported.

If you say the O2 sensor placement is alright, then I'll take your word for it.

It sucks that the rear section has the oval issue, perhaps once it is resolved you can provide us with a tip on how to make it better. I'm afraid of messing with it so as not to cause a leak at that section.

Thanks.

 

is this the magnaflow?

 

The "washers" you used to space the tie bars down..... did you use the stainless steel spacers that we provide or did you use actual washers? I am thinking that may be the 5 "washers" you have left over. The spacers look like this:

All of the washers should be placed on the supplied bolts which go to the hangers.

Hit those clamps with an impact and you should be fine.

As for the "oval" issue... really the best thing I can recommend as of now is to use a large pair of channel locks and squeeze GENTLY to get it back into its true shape. As long as the muffler slides on all the way you will not have any worries.

No problem. Glad I could help!

 

Yes that is the magnaflow.

 

Great system! I get so many compliments on how my car sounds. I too have the "oval" issue, but the channel locks did the trick!

 

Yup, I actually used the washers instead of the spacers I believe the oem bolts were not long enought when I used the spacers, but perhaps that's why I have some bolts left over...that's pretty funny.

I'll have access to an impact this weekend and will hit those clamps.

I'll report back in a few days...thanks.

 

Ironic isnt it?

Let me know if you need anything. I'll be glad to lend a hand.

 

what's involved in the install, you just have to use the spacers for the "tie bar" I'm not sure what part that's referring to.

any other gotchas?

 

I used a gasket between the down pipe and cat myself.

 

The problems that I had with my install were:

1. I had to use a mallet to make some of the connections slide into each other.
2. I had to pry off with a screwdriver and mallet the O2 donut. For some reason I thought this thing would just slide off. That's what I get for thinking.
3. I should have removed the muffler hanger closest to the rear passenger tire first.
4. I had some headspace and timing issues with installing the MBC, but that was all my fault.

Other than those small issues, I installed the whole Stage I upgrade with my passenger side jacked up (yes, with jack stands underneath) all in one day. I just have to find a place to store my stock exhaust now. I highly recommend this kit to anybody looking for any easy upgrade.

 

These tie bars are located just in front of the catalyic converter underneath the car. There are two of them held by a total of five bolts. You will use the spacers and bolts provided in the kit to resecure these once you have installed the new exhaust. It's very easy.