Noticed that one of the changes for the new car was smoothed out exhaust manifold. This supposibly gives it better throttle response and a few more bhp. Wonder if they are getting closer to equal length headers and if this will affect the sound of current uneven lenth headers which omit that wonderous scooby sound ?

Cheers,
Ray

 

I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing




























"dunno"

 

I reckon 99.9% will get decatted anyway

 

I thought it was the unequal length manifold that made the sound...not anything to do with cat, so what would decatting matter ?

Cheers,
Ray

 

Yep fully decatted you can only hear the exhaust

 

The WRC cars are equal length so havent got the lumpy flat four sound

 

I've just fitted an almost-equal length manifold to my UK00 and the lovely boxer-burble has vanished Sounds like a noisey bike. Goes well, though

Richard.

 

That is what I mean, I hope this 'smoothing' of the manifold on the new MY2003 does not mean equaling out the length and essentially killing that sweet Scooby sound !

 

I think Subaru are aware that they've got a unique sounding engine.

However, would they kill the sound for more power, and also to pass noise emissions, plus satisfy the new breed of targeted owners who want refinement?

I guess the only way we'll find out is by actually having someone drive it.

Hence the "dunno" comment.

If someone does know, I'd be surprised if they tell us

 

Nick, You'll just have to record the sound of your engine and then people can play it through 2 big 12" subs

 

twisting the question slightly....
who has bought a set of headers / manifolds, increased performance and KEPT the off-beat growl ???

Andy

 

I'd rather keep the burble than sacrifice for extra power. The extra power is only useful for a short amount of your driving time - the burble on the other hand is there all the time for you and others to enjoy!!

 

exactly !

 

long live the burble

 

Power Engineering do an equal length manifold for the current Scoobs I believe... Perhaps they can do an unequal one for the MY03?

- Dave ????

Mick

 

keep the burble rockin!!!

 

I feel like a traitor now I've got rid of my burble. I have to say I did not like it when I first turned the key. No burble, and much quieter, too, which is strange. What I think has happened is the new manifold just moves the resonance up the scale, losing the boom but gaining some bark, if that makes any sense. Missus Hoppy driving behind says it's not any quieter when I'm WOT

But get it warm and revving and over 5,000 and it flies Maybe I'll get the stock pipes ported and a new up-pipe and trade a few top-end horses for a bit more low-down power and that beloved burble.

On the subject of will the new scoob lose its burble, I think the answer is a defo no. The unequal length pipes are the most sensible way to route the exhaust around the boxer layout and top-mount intercooler to feed a single turbo. You also need to cut away a bit of the under-tray, tie back some wiring and smother it in heat shield. But there's also a handy weight saving. I meant to weigh each set but forgot so only a guess, but 5-8kg lighter than stock?

And as said above, Subaru surely know the value of the burble. In a similar vein, Ducati have just launched a V4 to replace their booming V-twins. But each pair of cylinders fires together so it still sounds like a twin!

Yours, boomless and burble-free, now officially barking

Richard.