There Stage 2 requires I have a cat-less up-pipe....

I used to have a Bosal aftermarket up-pipe but the flanges warped and the up-pipe got a crack in it. I had to go back to OEM.

Question: Can I do the XPT Stage 2 tune w/o cat-less up-pipe? And would anyone recommend using XPT? Thanks!

P.S. With talk of the emissions in califonia getting stricter should I even bother? I want to pass smog w/o having to tear apart the car...

 

You need a catless UP.

I think Braden (XPT) works with EQ Tuning now.

You can pass with a catless UP you just need a stock DP.

I've done two smogs with just putting back the stock DP. The last time the smog operator ran the codes on the CARB stuff though. Totally lame... My CAI intake only has a certification for an 02 and not an 03... but he still ran it.

 

this.

you should pass smog with stock dp regardless of tune. This would be another story if we have to dyno smog but we dont as we are awd. We get a sniffer test/visual test.

 

Ive bought a basic map from XPT before just to gain access to their forum which has a lot of free base maps and what not. XPT maps are good and a little more aggressive than your standard cobb or other generic maps.

You can use a catted uppipe but I wouldnt recommend it because of the offchance that a piece breaks off and ends up in your turbo. I use the grimspeed uppipe and am pretty happy with that.

As others have mentioned you can pass the smog test with just your stock downpipe. 99.9% of techs wont even know that they're supposed to check for a precat in the uppipe which is well hidden if you have the stock heatshields.

 

try to find a stock sti uppipe, has subaru factory heatshields on it so if the smog tech is picky, he won't be able to tell its catless

 

...

 

I saw 0s on fbkc, flkc and 16 IAM when i logged their map for a week on multiple pulls and driving to work and back.

Only knock I got was when I started to try and tune boost a little higher. Id get some knock when shifting from first to second doing pulls.

 

Replace the uppipe. For the safety of your turbo, replace it. I got a stock JDM catless uppipe years ago. That's the route I would go.

 

also for safety of turbo - might wanna pull the EGT as well. If that thing breaks off, bye bye turbo.

 

Have you done a dyno on your car yet?

 

I do want to get one but my last one leaked....

... Even if i wanted too i don't have the equipment to raise the engine to reach the uppipe!

 

I have a stock Up-Pipe you can gut
$45 and pick it up from me in San Jose

 

double thick gaskets from grimmspeed. the only way to go imo!

 

A stock one should not leak. Aftermarket ones almost always have fitment problems. But a stock catless one should not have a fitment problem. Especially if you get one with the flex joint.

 

Cat-less genuine STi one? O.o