Preferred muffler for catback exhaust 95 Legacy L

[nicholi2789]

Hey guys,

So the last week or so I've been looking into getting a catback exhaust fabricated by a local exhaust shop (since pre-fabbed exhaust is way too expensive) and I had a few questions. 

So here is my idea, I'm looking at getting 2 and a 1/4 inch pipe from the cat all the way back with a muffler and possibly a resonator. I'm trying to get some of that signature Boxer growl but not too obnoxious. Basically the guy said he could fabricate all the pipe and hang it from the stock hangers for about 150$ (not including the muffler) but I should search around and see what Subie guys are using on their systems since otherwise I would be totally shooting in the dark for what sound I'm gonna get. 

So how about it? What are you guys using for mufflers or muffler/resonator setups that is gonna get me the best sound without being too rediculously loud? What brand?

He said it needs to be an offset inlet preferably, and a centered outlet.

Also, I am on a semi tight budget. 100$ or less for this muffler wouldl be preferred. Then it would have costed me in total about 225 to 250$ for this exhaust. 

[john in KY]

I once used a stock turbo muffler from a WRX on my wagon. Just a thought. 

[Rooster2]

The WRX and STI "signature grow" is mostly a product of having unequal length headers to create that thump thump sound. I have heard of cheapie unequal length headers for sale, but don't know a source.

 

If simply going the cheapie route, then use a glass pack muffler and no resonator.

 

If you google "utube videos," and request "Subaru, glass pack muffler," you will find about 6 videos of Subarus with different glass pack mufflers, and be able to listen to the sound each car's muffler system produces with a stock header pipe. This may help in your muffler selection process.

 

Also, don't recommend a loud system. It sounds great for 5 minutes, but the constant drone-ing noise at highway speed gets old fast, plus you won't be able to listen very well to the car's music sound system with a loud muffler system. Been there, done that!

Edited February 26, 2015 by Rooster2

[nicholi2789]

The WRX and STI "signature grow" is mostly a product of having unequal length headers to create that thump thump sound. I have heard of cheapie unequal length headers for sale, but don't know a source.

 

If simply going the cheapie route, then use a glass pack muffler and no resonator.

 

If you google "utube videos," and request "Subaru, glass pack muffler," you will find about 6 videos of Subarus with different glass pack mufflers, and be able to listen to the sound each car's muffler system produces with a stock header pipe. This may help in your muffler selection process.

 

Also, don't recommend a loud system. It sounds great for 5 minutes, but the constant drone-ing noise at highway speed gets old fast, plus you won't be able to listen very well to the car's music sound system with a loud muffler system. Been there, done that!

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah I definetely don't want a loud rediculous exhaust. A little louder maybe but not obnoxious. I just want a little of that rumble. This car has no exhaust leaks at all so the stock exhaust on it is super quiet. Sitting in the driver's seat with it idling you can't even tell it's running unless you listen hard. Going from that to a super loud exhaust system probably wouldn't be cool. Haha. Plus i still wanna hear my awesome stereo system I installed. My buddy has a 98 Leggy GT with the Frankenmotor build (same body style as mine) and he has Catback with 2 and a half inch pipe and it sounds amazing. I'm wondering if I can get away with just buying a nice muffler to bolt on and if that would get me the sound I'm shooting for. How much does just a muffler change the sound of the car on these subarus? I would much rather do a full Catback exhaust but I am on a tight budget. Anybody have any suggestions?

[Rooster2]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah I definetely don't want a loud rediculous exhaust. A little louder maybe but not obnoxious. I just want a little of that rumble. This car has no exhaust leaks at all so the stock exhaust on it is super quiet. Sitting in the driver's seat with it idling you can't even tell it's running unless you listen hard. Going from that to a super loud exhaust system probably wouldn't be cool. Haha. Plus i still wanna hear my awesome stereo system I installed. My buddy has a 98 Leggy GT with the Frankenmotor build (same body style as mine) and he has Catback with 2 and a half inch pipe and it sounds amazing. I'm wondering if I can get away with just buying a nice muffler to bolt on and if that would get me the sound I'm shooting for. How much does just a muffler change the sound of the car on these subarus? I would much rather do a full Catback exhaust but I am on a tight budget. Anybody have any suggestions?

Did you listen to any of the Subaru glass pack muffler systems on utube? That will give you some idea of what your car could sound like.  Yea, you should be able to get a glass pack installed to replace the muffler by the back bumper. Cost appx. $100. Recommend taking your car to a mom and pop family owned muffler shop, the kind that does torch off and torch on installation. Avoid the big muffler chains, they will charge you an arm and a leg, and try to talk you into buying a full cat back system to jack the bill up.

[bratman2]

Magnaflow SS oval muffler. Find the one nearest size to stock. Have the muffler shop cut the brackets off the old and weld onto the new. I have bought mine from Performance Peddler. Check them out.